Arsenal and Manchester United battled to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, a result that all but ended the Gunners’ Premier League title hopes. Meanwhile, for United, it was another point gained in what has been an underwhelming campaign, with a top-half finish still an uphill battle. Ruben Amorim, once again deploying a deep defensive setup against Arsenal, secured the result he seemingly set out for.
Both teams had their chances to take all three points, particularly in the second half, but neither showed the sharpness required to finish them off. Post-match discussions largely revolved around Arsenal’s recurring struggles and what this draw meant for their season. However, comments from Amorim before the game also sparked an interesting debate regarding the differences between the two clubs and the patience afforded to managers.
Amorim on Arteta’s Rebuild: A Different Club, A Different Timeline
When asked about Mikel Arteta’s work at Arsenal—especially regarding his long-term squad rebuild—Amorim pointed out what he believes is a major distinction between the two clubs.
“I don’t feel that,” Amorim said. “Again, I will not have the time that Arteta has. I feel that. It’s a different club, so we just need to survive the players on Sunday and me during these games.
“I think it’s a different club. I think in that aspect, the way Arteta dealt with that is an inspiration for everybody. I will not have the time like Arteta had.”
Amorim took charge of United in a similar part of the season as Arteta did when he first arrived at Arsenal. Arteta finished eighth in his first season but won the FA Cup, which secured European football. That scenario seems highly unlikely for Amorim, given United’s current struggles and inability to climb beyond where they were when Erik ten Hag was dismissed.
Arteta inherited a squad with some solid foundations, though several players would later be replaced. He also had three young stars—Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and William Saliba—who have since become central figures in Arsenal’s success.
Amorim has his own emerging talents, including Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo, and Alejandro Garnacho. However, the upcoming summer transfer window will be crucial as he attempts to shape the squad in his own vision.
Why Amorim Won’t Get the Same Time as Arteta
If Amorim is eventually dismissed, it won’t be simply because United is a “different” club—it will be because he failed to meet expectations. His remarks strongly suggest that the bar for success at United is set higher. But who sets that bar? The Glazers? The fans?
Ownership is often a hot topic for both Arsenal and United supporters. When Arsenal was challenging for the title in the past two seasons, fans rarely brought up the Kroenkes’ leadership. Yet, after a campaign that fell short of expectations, ownership scrutiny has returned.
At United, dissatisfaction with the Glazers is almost constant, but what’s undeniable is that Arsenal has significantly outperformed United in recent years. This will be the fifth time in the last seven seasons that Arsenal finishes above the Red Devils—this time, the gap is expected to be over 20 points.
Under Arteta, Arsenal has consistently improved. Their league position has never regressed: eighth, eighth, fifth, second, second, and now potentially another second-place finish. Amorim will not get the luxury of time unless he delivers clear progress—returning United to European competition and making them competitive again.
A Tale of Different Expectations
While Erik ten Hag won the FA Cup and Carabao Cup during his tenure, those successes felt more like isolated moments rather than part of a sustained rise. There was no clear long-term vision that suggested United was becoming a dominant force again.
If you had asked a fan at the end of last season which club was closer to winning a major trophy, Arsenal would have been the obvious answer. Even after a difficult campaign filled with injuries and challenges, Arteta’s team remains in the title conversation.
For instance, when Manchester City lost Rodri for a brief period, their title challenge nearly collapsed. Arsenal, meanwhile, endured injuries to multiple key attacking players at the same time, yet they have still fought on and remain competitive. However, their failure to reinforce the squad in the January transfer window only intensified frustrations among fans.
Despite this, Arteta will head into next season with the expectation of leading Arsenal into another title fight. For Amorim, the challenge will be different—his goal will simply be to restore United’s competitive edge and push them back into European contention.
Final Thoughts: Time Must Be Earned
Ultimately, Amorim is right in saying that he won’t be given the same amount of time as Arteta. But that’s not because of the nature of Manchester United as a club—it’s because he will only get time if he proves he deserves it.
Arteta’s patience from the Arsenal hierarchy was earned through tangible progress, even when the results weren’t immediate. If Amorim can deliver the same kind of progress for United, time will be on his side. If not, history suggests that United’s next managerial change won’t be far away.
