The midfielder believes his side must beat teams of the Red Devils' calibre if they're to end their long wait to win the league this season ahead of Sunday's Old Trafford showdown
Francis Coquelin believes securing all three points against Manchester United on Sunday would be a “massive” boost to Arsenal's title ambitions.
The Gunners lost 2-0 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with Barcelona on Tuesday, but while their European hopes are on the brink, Arsenal are well in the mix to be crowned league champions at the end of the season
Arsenal's 2-1 win over league leaders Leicester City last time out cut the gap at the top to just two points and next up for Arsene Wenger's men is a trip to Old Trafford to face a United side who have endured a disappointing season thus far.
Coquelin expects the Red Devils to be right up for Arsenal's visit this weekend but insists it's a game his side must win if they're to end their long wait to win the league come May.
"I think it's been a difficult [season] for Man United, but in big games like this, we know that they're going to turn up, because everyone loves these kind of matches," the Frenchman told Arsenal's official website.
"It would be a massive win for them to beat us, but we're going to be ready.
"We beat Leicester and I think the whole team is conscious that, if we want to win the title, we have to win against these kind of teams. Man United are always going to be a great team. Even if they had a bad spell, they still have a strong squad.
"Last year we didn't lose to them away from home [in two matches]. We showed that we can do something against them away.
"We won there in the FA Cup and drew there in the league. We're going to go there full of confidence after what we did last year.
"We've just beaten the team at the top of the league and shown that we have the desire to do well and grab silverware at the end of the season."
- Goal