Three things that will 'definitely' happen to Arsenal as Ruben Amorim appointed at Man Utd

Manchester United look to be closing in on the appointment of Ruben Amorim as head coach to replace Erik ten Hag, meaning for Arsenal, Mikel Arteta's reunion with the Portuguese coach will be delayed. The Gunners are due to face the Sporting CP boss in November, but should he move that will of course not happen.

Arteta spoke in his press conference ahead of the game against Preston, reacting to the news that Ten Hag had lost his job. "He's a phenomenal coach and it's difficult," he said. "Unfortunately, when these things happen, the exposure we have as managers, we are always in the line."

Amorim has an excellent record at Sporting and specifically against Arsenal. With that said, football.london looks into three things we believe will ‘definitely’ happen when he takes over at Old Trafford.

Champions League boost

Arsenal are set to face Sporting CP on November 26 in Lisbon, with the clash slated as one of the tougher ties that Arteta's side have been given. Amorim's Sporting knocked Arsenal out of the Europa League in 2023 after two draws and a penalty shootout victory at the Emirates Stadium.

Since then, they have gone on to become Portuguese champions and qualify for the European elite competition. Amorim has achieved a lot and gained plenty of suitors, with the 39-year-old also considered for the Liverpool job and West Ham role in the summer - along with rumours of interest from Chelsea.

Losing Amorim will be a big blow. The philosophy, the connection and the tactics that have been employed will change, and Arsenal too will need to respond to whoever his replacement will be.

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Date set for Arteta vs Amorim

Arsenal will play Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday 4 December in the first of a month-plus of London-based games for the Gunners. The festive period has been kind to Arsenal, and this is the first of seven successive games to be played in the capital with three of the following four also in London.

Arteta has never beaten Amorim and will hope that this changes come December. The benefit will be that the Spaniard has time to assess the difference Amorim makes in his first month with United before they play one another.

The downside is that he has some time to instil his ideas prior to the two clubs facing one another. Although, it might yet skip the immediate new-manager bounce that so many clubs revel in after a change.

Viktor Gyokeres

Arsenal are sure to consider Manchester United a potentially more viable competition for the future pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres should they enter the race. The Gunners are known to have held an admiration for the Swedish forward who continues to score regularly for the Lisbon club.

While United have spent heavily on both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, plus acquired Chido Obi-Martin from the Gunners, a desire from Amorim to work again with Gyokeres could change the situation. Arsenal will be aware of the potential for another competitor to enter the race with Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City all mentioned as further interested parties.

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