This could be the moment Arsenal have been building towards.
Despite sitting at the summit of the Premier League, the Gunners have found it difficult to fully shake off a largely inconsistent chasing pack. Opportunities to extend their lead have come and gone, leaving the title race tighter than it might have been.
Manchester City’s 2-0 victory over Wolves on Saturday marked their first win in four league matches. Before that, Pep Guardiola’s side had endured back-to-back draws and a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Aston Villa, another contender, have also stumbled — drawing goalless at Crystal Palace before suffering a 1-0 home loss to Everton. Yet Arsenal failed to fully capitalise on those slip-ups, as their own 0-0 draw away to Nottingham Forest meant the lead at the top stretched to seven points instead of nine.
City’s latest win has now reduced that gap to four points, while Villa could close in further depending on the outcome of their clash with Newcastle ahead of kick-off at the Emirates Stadium.
All of this sets the stage for a crucial evening for Mikel Arteta’s side. A victory over Manchester United would not only restore breathing space at the top but also send a clear message of intent to their title rivals.
United arrive in north London buoyed by an impressive display in Michael Carrick’s first match in charge, where they stunned City 2-0. The Red Devils showed renewed discipline, defending compactly and attacking with speed and clarity.
That resurgence promises a stern examination for Arsenal, who have not hit top gear in recent outings. Still, with the title race delicately poised, the Gunners know that a commanding win against one of the league’s heavyweights could prove pivotal.