"We have learnt a lot from our last defeat" - Mikel Arteta says ahead of Arsenal Vs Man Utd

Following Arsenal loss to Manchester United earlier in the season, Mikel Arteta felt that Arsenal players had to learn some difficult lessons.

The only club to overcome the Gunners this season was Manchester United, who triumphed 3-1 at Old Trafford in September. However, since that time, Arsenal has not suffered a defeat in the Premier League, and we currently lead our opponents by eight points on Sunday as we look to maintain our perfect home record.

Mikel believes the team's defeat served as a crucial teaching moment because, in the years following, they have consistently displayed great fortitude and calmness to persevere through trying circumstances and secure victories.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, he said: “There were some important lessons about that game and the reason why we lost it. In many moments we were in total control of the day. 

“But we know that’s one of the qualities of Man United - when you are in control of the match, the game gets away from you because they have so much individual talent, good organisation and many ways to create problems. We’ll have to be at our best to win on Sunday.”

United's nine-game winning streak in all competitions came to an end on Wednesday with a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace. Erik ten Hag has improved his team's standing and advanced in three cup competitions despite having a rocky start to life in Manchester, which has pleased Mikel from a distance.

“I think he's turned things around pretty quickly,” he said. “He has implemented a very clear way of playing. I think the players seem like they've bought into it, they have really good energy around the place. And a lot of things have changed in a very short period of time so credit to him and the coaching staff for what they've done.”

Casemiro, a Brazilian enforcer, was suspended and will not play, but Arteta doesn't think it will have a significant influence considering the caliber of our opponents' team as a whole.

He thinks that this specific matchup still has a lot of global significance due to the presence of several players on both sides, especially given that we enter the game as the league's top team with United attempting to cut into our eight-point lead.