Van Gaal: Arsenal are a better team than Chelsea

The Dutchman says the Premier League champions are masters of “finishing games off”, a skill that neither Manchester United nor the Gunners can yet lay claim to

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal believes Sunday’s opponents, Arsenal, are a better team than Premier League champions Chelsea, but lack the Blues’ nous.

The two heavyweights go head-to-head at Old Trafford looking to claim third place and avoid a Champions League play-off.

And Van Gaal is anticipating a stern test against a side he believes are the best in the Premier League, though says Arsene Wenger’s men need to replicate the winning mentality that has propelled Chelsea to the title.

Asked about his own side’s improving psyche, Van Gaal rejected suggestions he had re-established United’s old swagger: “No, because we are not champions,” he said of his own attempts to install a winning mentality.

“I think that (a winning mentality) is the quality of the champion.

“Of course, we have improved a lot but we still have to learn the way Chelsea can play and finish off games because that is the difference.

“I believe that Arsenal have a better team than Chelsea but they cannot finish like Chelsea. That comes from talent and experience from having people like John Terry and Gary Cahill.”

Speaking of his own big-game experiences, Van Gaal continued: “We were equal to Chelsea at home and much better there in spite of what Jose Mourinho was saying.

“Against Tottenham we were better both times. The result against Liverpool at home (3-0) was exaggerated but at Anfield we played fantastic football.

“The difference is not the level of performance but how you finish off the game – and Chelsea have done that the best.”