De Gea: Casemiro suspension could make the difference against Arsenal
David De Gea believes Manchester United’s 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace could play a decisive factor in the result against Arsenal on Sunday, with midfielder Casemiro now suspended.
The Brazilian arrived at Selhurst Park Wednesday night knowing he needed to avoid a caution in order to feature against Arsenal at the weekend.
Such is Casemiro’s importance, there was much speculation as to whether he should have been altogether left out of the midweek team.
‘It’s a big blow to lose Casemiro for Sunday,’ De Gea told Sky Sports postmatch. ‘I don’t get why Arsenal don’t play as we have to play in the same week and they don’t. Now we are missing one of our best players.
‘I don’t understand. Now we miss him for a big game and it is a big loss for us.’
De Gea had a brilliant performance in goal as he looked to have secured all three points for United, which would have moved them within six points of leaders Arsenal ahead of Sunday.
Instead, Michael Olise’s stepped up to deliver a stunning injury-time free-kick, which crashed off the crossbar and down into the Spaniard’s net.
‘It’s football,’ said of the ultimately disappointing result. ‘Sometimes you score at the end and sometimes they score at the end. Let’s keep going.
‘I think we’re doing really well and it’s a massive game on Sunday. I think we’re a much better team than we were before.
‘We are competing really well, deserving the points, playing as a team, which is massive. Everyone wants to win, everyone wants to fight for the team.
‘It’s nice to watch and it was a bit sad today because we concede at the end but I still believe in this team. I think we have great players, we all want to win, so let’s keep going.’
Now, Manchester United trail by eight having played a game extra – and with only four days to recover before facing the rejuvenated Gunners, who themselves last played at Tottenham on Sunday.
