Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admits he has changed his tactics against Manchester United as Casemiro is suspended. The midfielder must serve a one-game ban after five yellow cards.
Referee Robert Jones issued Casemiro with a caution during the Red Devils’ 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace this Wednesday. He brandished a card in the 80th minute after the 30-year-old’s late foul on Wilfried Zaha. The official also cautioned the Brazil international recently.
Jones booked Casemiro as Manchester United beat Wolves on New Year’s Eve. He has also earned cautions against Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City since moving to England. Erik ten Hag paid Real Madrid £60m, rising up to £70m, back in August.
Manchester United will now visit Arteta and Arsenal on Sunday without Casemiro while he serves a suspension. The 69-cap anchor’s absence will hurt Ten Hag’s team having gained a vital role at Old Trafford. He has started 12 of his 16 Premier League appearances so far.
Casemiro has proven to be the glue that holds Ten Hag’s plans together. But the Dutchman must make do without his £300k-a-week ace at Emirates Stadium. It leaves a great task for the Red Devils’ other midfielders as Arsenal can carve sides open and make areas of space.
Arteta changes Arsenal’s tactics with Casemiro suspended for Manchester United
But Manchester United did deal Arsenal their only defeat of the Premier League season so far without Casemiro in September. The Brazilian only played as an 80th-minute substitute in the 3-1 Old Trafford affair. Scott McTominay started with Christian Eriksen in deep roles.
The Gunners were the better side during the first half but returned to the dressing rooms a goal behind. Gabriel Martinelli also had a goal wrongly ruled out following an intervention by the VAR. Yet Marcus Rashford ran riot to score two goals after Bukayo Saka had equalised.
Now, Arteta is seeking revenge and admits he has changed Arsenal’s tactics as Casemiro is suspended for Manchester United. Although he feels Ten Hag still has enough players who can cause the Gunners problems with Fred and Bruno Fernandes also available on Sunday.
“[It is] something that we can’t control,” Arteta said, via quotes by football.london. “He didn’t play in our first game either and we didn’t do enough to win that match, either.
“When you look at their squad, it’s incredible that they have the collective and individual quality to beat anyone in this league. We will plan the game knowing he’s not available, that’s for sure.”
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