Erik ten Hag has undermined his bizarre dig at Premier League leaders Arsenal with his team selection for Manchester United's Europa League round of 16 second-leg clash against Real Betis. United head into the game with a 4-1 aggregate lead over the Spanish outfit following a strong first-leg performance at Old Trafford.
The Gunners sit five points clear of second-placed Manchester City and 16 clear of United in third in the Premier League table. Now, Ten Hag has taken aim at Arsenal after claiming that Mikel Arteta's side have barely had any injury problems all season, unlike the Red Devils.
United were the first team to get the better of the north Londoners this season, winning 3-1 against the Gunners at Old Trafford. You would think that if Ten Hag reflected on that result, he would have noticed that Arteta was without arguably one of Arsenal's most important players in Thomas Partey.
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Speaking ahead of United's clash against Betis, Ten Hag said: "Only in one game could I say, ok I can pick my team, also from a tactical approach, that was perfect - that was against Man City at home.
"And that was the only time in this season. In other times, in every game, it was one player suspended, one player is injured or [has] illness.
"So we have to deal with it well but of course you hope. I see with Arsenal, that they almost have all the time their squad available."
Partey has been a pivotal player for Arteta. His absence from the squad through injury has seen him miss a total of six games in the Premier League, with two of the Gunners' three defeats this season coming when he has not featured.
Ten Hag's comments are even more puzzling when you consider the fact that Gabriel Jesus - who was a marquee signing in the summer transfer window from Manchester City - has missed a total of 15 games for Arsenal this season following a knee injury he sustained during the World Cup. Jesus was seen as a revelation in attack for the Gunners this season and his injury threatened to derail their Premier League title challenge, but Arteta found a way to maintain the five-point lead at the top of the table.
Emile Smith Rowe is another player who was influential for Arteta last season and has missed the majority of the 2022/23 campaign. The Hale End graduate has been absent from the squad for 15 Premier League games this season but, again, the Gunners found a solution by signing Leandro Trossard in January, along with Jorginho and Jakub Kiwior to offer more squad depth and cover in key areas.
Jesus has returned just as Eddie Nketiah is now facing a lengthy injury lay-off. Mohamed Elneny, who was seen as the main back-up for Partey before Jorginho's signing, has missed a huge amount of the season through injury.
This is not about Arsenal being fortunate that Nketiah was able to enjoy strong form during Jesus' injury or players being sidelined for short periods of time. The Gunners have had to deal with their fair share of serious injury woes, but Arteta and the players have still found a way to perform at the highest level and remain top of the table.
Ten Hag's comments come off as jealous and misinformed because it's clear for all to see that despite their amazing performances this season - Arsenal have still overcome major obstacles and deserve to be where they are in the Premier League and Europa League. The United boss has completely undermined his own comments by starting Bruno Fernandes in the second leg against Betis when the tie is virtually over already.
Ten Hag is risking losing another key player through injury, further hampering United's season, as they still fight for a top-four place in the Premier League and aim to reach the Europa League final. It's a similar situation with the likes of Casemiro and Marcus Rashford.
Why risk them when you have a perfect opportunity to give key players a rest in a congested fixture schedule? Arteta has been able to manage his squad brilliantly despite setbacks and Arsenal deserve to be where they are in the Premier League and Europa League.
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