Petr Cech has claimed that Manchester United need to beat Arsenal on Saturday if they want to remain in the hunt for the Premier League title.
The two rivals go head to head at Old Trafford in the lunchtime kickoff, with the Gunners six points above United after 11 games.
Arsene Wenger's men are unbeaten in their last 10 top-flight matches, but it has been a stuttered start to life at United for manager Jose Mourinho as he has overseen just two league triumphs in their last eight outings.
Arsenal goalkeeper Cech believes that this weekend's showdown has added importance to it as the Gunners want to return to the top of the table, and United need to close the gap between themselves and the top four.
"It is another six-point game. We drew the match against Spurs and there is a little gap between us and Liverpool, so you want to make sure that you stay very close and that every time they drop points, you are ready to take advantage," Cech told Arsenal Player.
"With United, they are behind us, so to leave them [further] behind is one aim and the second thing is to stay near the top, within touching distance of everyone else. If United want to think about closing the gap and having a chance to fight for the title, they need the three points.
"It is a big game for both teams and they will try to give themselves a chance, and we have to be ready to adapt to their way of playing. As the match goes, you want to impose your game and control what is happening. It is always a big game, regardless of the positions of both teams in the table, but this time I think it could be a really significant win for us and a really significant loss for them."
In this fixture last season, United earned a 3-2 victory over Arsenal.
Danielle Joynson
