Arsenal fans refute Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag’s comments on Gunners squad while United face setback with Casemiro’s ban
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal team was criticized by Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag before the Europa League match against Real Betis on Thursday night, which immediately drew the attention of Arsenal fans who found fault with his remarks.
Ahead of the Europa League games involving Manchester United and Arsenal on Thursday night, Erik ten Hag’s theory that Arsenal is “lucky” due to their squad being “totally available” has been quickly and confidently debunked by Arsenal fans. Despite the injuries and suspensions that Man Utd have encountered this season, several Arsenal players, including Gabriel Jesus, Emile Smith Rowe, and Mohamed Elneny, have suffered serious injuries. Additionally, Thomas Partey, Kieran Tierney, and Eddie Nketiah have also been sidelined due to injury.
After Erik ten Hag’s comments, Arsenal fans took to social media expressing their confusion. One fan pointed out that their striker has been out for almost half of the season, while another fan compared the situation to Marcus Rashford’s injury, saying that Man Utd fans would be crying if it were him. Losing Gabriel Jesus to a knee injury, which he sustained during the World Cup, was a significant setback for Arsenal as many attributed the Brazilian’s presence to their success in the Premier League. Meanwhile, his replacement, Eddie Nketiah, is also currently injured and unlikely to play for several weeks due to an ankle problem.
Ten Hag made the remarks in a press conference before Manchester United’s Europa League match against Real Betis in Seville on Thursday. After winning the first leg at Old Trafford 4-1, the Red Devils are well on their way to reaching the quarter-finals of UEFA’s secondary club competition.
Arsenal’s chances of progressing in the Europa League are uncertain as they could only manage a 2-2 draw against Sporting Lisbon in the first leg of their last-16 clash. They will need to defeat the Portuguese giants at the Emirates on Thursday night to move forward.
Erik ten Hag’s comments were related to the Premier League title race, where Arsenal has taken the league by surprise this season and is five points ahead of Manchester City in second place. In contrast, Manchester United is currently 16 points behind Arsenal, even with a game in hand.
The Red Devils have also faced their share of injury concerns this season. Christian Eriksen, Alejandro Garnarcho, and Donny van de Beek are long-term absentees, while Antony, Marcel Sabitzer, and Victor Lindelof are doubtful for their Thursday night game.
Manchester United’s star midfielder, Casemiro, is facing a four-game domestic ban after receiving his second red card of the season during their game against Southampton last Sunday. Despite this setback, Erik ten Hag cannot make any convincing complaints about either of the Brazilian’s dismissals.
Ten Hag told reporters on Wednesday that despite the setbacks United has faced this season, the team has managed to handle them. He emphasized the importance of having players available and highlighted that every time there’s a team on the pitch, they must deal with the situation at hand.
“In just one game we had the squad available totally and I was able to pick my team, from a tactical approach, perfectly – that was against Manchester City at home this season. Every other time it’s been one player suspended, injured, or unavailable through illness. We have to deal with it well but Arsenal, all the time their squad is totally available.”
Discussion about this post