Mikel Arteta explains whether Casemiro’s suspension has altered Arsenal’s preparation for Manchester United clash

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has hinted that Casemiro‘s suspension has had an impact on how his side will prepare for tomorrow’s clash against Erik ten Hag‘s Manchester United.

United’s influential number 18 is unavailable for the mouth-watering game at The Emirates after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in the 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night.

Despite walking a suspension tight rope ahead of the trip to the Gunners, Ten Hag decided to start the 30-year-old against the Eagles.

With ten minutes remaining at Selhurst Park, everything looked rosy with United leading 1-0 thanks to Bruno Fernandes’ first half striker and Casemiro managing to keep himself out of the referees notebook.

Mikel Arteta explains whether Casemiro’s suspension has altered Arsenal’s preparation for Manchester United clash

But after cynically hauling down former Red Devil Wilfried Zaha to thwart an increasingly dangerous Palace attack, the 69-time Brazil international was brandished a yellow card.

United, who have lost one in 20, head to north London without the five-time Champions League winner marshalling the midfield.

Ten Hag’s men are the only side to have inflicted a loss against Arsenal in the top-flight so far this season.

And Casemiro only came off the bench to play the last 10 minutes of United’s 3-1 win at Old Trafford back in August.

Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen were the midfield duo chosen by Ten Hag that day.

But Casemiro’s importance and influence has grown with every passing day he’s been with the twenty-time league champions.

While Arteta labelled United’ squad “incredible”, the Spaniard did hint that his side’s preparation for the game could well have been altered due to Casemiro now being unavailable.

Speaking in his press conference, the former Manchester City assistant manager said: “Again, it’s something that we can’t control. He didn’t play in our first game either and we still didn’t do enough to win that match.

“When you look at the squad that they have, it’s just incredible. The individuals and the collective organisation can beat any opponent in this league and we’ll plan the game knowing that [Casemiro] is not available, that’s for sure.”

Ahead of the trip to The Emirates, United’s record with and without Casemiro has been analysed.