Manchester United

Chris Smalling keen to build on Arsenal scalp

By Shane Callaghan, Reporter | 23 November 2014

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling encourages his teammates to use their 2-1 win at Arsenal as motivation to continue improving this season.

Chris Smalling has called on his Manchester United teammates to use Saturday's win away to Arsenal as a platform to build on this season.

United beat their old rivals 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium for what was their first away win under manager Louis van Gaal.

The Red Devils, who sit fourth in the Premier League table, now gear up for home clashes with Hull City and Stoke City, and Smalling is eyeing up an opportunity to solidify their top-four place.

"We have a good base now with an away win and now we can go back to Old Trafford and build on that," he told reporters.

"We showed a lot of character, we did not play that well and we will go through the video to see what we could have done better.

"We have two home games coming up, and we need six points, then we can have a look at where we are in the table."

An own goal from Kieran Gibbs helped Van Gaal's side into a second-half lead in London, while captain Wayne Rooney added a second late on before Olivier Giroud struck to reduce the arrears.