Ahead of the Super Sunday clash between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford, Alexis Sanchez has come out and said that the Gunners must beat their rivals once again this season, especially since three points were also crucial in the title race.
Arsenal beat the Red Devils 3-0 in the reverse fixture at Emirates Stadium in October this season and the Chilean forward had played a part in all three goals. He had scored the first and third goal while he also helped set up the second for Mesut Ozil – all within the first 20 minutes of the match.
“That really was the best match we’ve played all season,” Alexis said. “We went out there and put pressure on them having gone out with the mentality to win.
Alexis also explained how fired up the players were before kickoff. In the last few years, United have got the better of Wenger’s side more often than not but that day was different as Arsenal went out and got their first win over the Red Devils since 2011.
“That day, before we all went out for the match,” Alexis continued. “If you looked into the eyes of all the players you could see we all had this hunger to win.
“There was just a look on our faces that we wanted it and when you have that you know you’re going to be hard to beat and that’s what happened. We went out with that mentality.”
The last time the Gunners did the double over United was in the 2006/07 season when they won 1-0 at Old Trafford and 2-1 at the Emirates. It was also their last win at Old Trafford in the league although they did win 2-1 in the FA Cup quarter-final last season.
Arsenal looking to erase five-point lead in EPL title race
With Leicester City grabbing a 1-0 win over Norwich City with a late goal, the pressure is back on both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur to get three points on Sunday. Both teams are on 51 points – five points behind the Foxes – with a game in hand. Spurs also kick off at the same time as they take on Swansea City at White Hart Lane.
“We are obliged to win this match to put ourselves into a position where we can fight hard for the title,” Alexis said.
“Manchester United are a very strong team with a great history of football. They have all this history behind them and it’s going to be a hard match.”
Arsenal had lost to Barcelona in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 tie in midweek while United managed to get past FC Midtjylland in the Europa League. After a two-week gap of cup competitions, the focus is back on the Premier League and the title race.
“Now the focus is on the Premier League and trying to win,” Alexis said. “That’s important for me, the team, for everyone. I’m very happy here.”
