Arsenal v Manchester United; Premier League Match Preview
It’s been fourteen months since Arsenal last visited Old Trafford. The result of that trip doesn’t bear out mentioning, again. The match from hell has likely been rehashed in every blog and news article covering this match. Suffice it to say many things changed in the immediate aftermath and Arsenal AND Manchester United will look different when they take to the pitch tomorrow.
Arsenal are coming off a less than convincing win against QPR last weekend. But it was a win and win that went a little way to get rid of the growing doom that was festering after losses to Norwich and Schalke.
Key players for Arsenal have gotten a rest in. Players like Cazorla and Podolski who looked bright and lively coming into the international break have looked anything but spry coming out of it. With the mayhem that was the 7-5 victory over Reading played by a mix of reserves and players that needed time, many of the first team players got the night off. Hopefully, the week without competitive play has given them time to rest and get fresh.
If Arsenal are going to have any chance of getting anything out of the trip to Old Trafford it will need all of its attackers, especially the midfield to be on their game (defense too but more on that later.) The United defense has been especially porous this season. Additionally, the midfield is another weak link in the United armor. Chelsea were able to reassert themselves in the game against United because they controlled the middle of the pitch and held on to the ball. If not for some bad calls by the refs, Chelsea were should’ve been the team to walk out of OT with the win.
Arsenal’s attack will benefit from a healthy Jack Wilshere back in the middle of the pitch alongside both Arteta and Cazorla. The midfield trio in my opinion all around better than the midfield United will roll out – even if they bring on Scholes and/Giggs. Control the middle and Arsenal could get something from this match.
The real issue for Arsenal remains it’s defense. Bacary Sagna comes back and looked quite solid against QPR last week. He’ll have to be back to his old form as he has to take on Ashley Young. The right side isn’t as much a question mark as the left is.
Andre Santos since returning from injury late last season hasn’t even looked close to the form he showed leading into January. At that point he was a solid performer both offensively and defensively. Part of that was due to assisting cover from the left CB position. The problem with that now is that Vermaelen has been at best inconsistent in his performances. And with Gibbs out there, you had a good defender with speed who was able to make up for defense lapses. When Santos makes a defensive error, right now you don’t know if Vermaelen will be solid or not. Thus the left is often times exposed.
If both these players line up they will need to seriously up their game. The trouble spot for Chelsea last week was Antonio Valencia he had his way with the left side of the Chelsea defense. If Vermaelen and Santos even take a 15 second rest on pitch they will be left found wanting and exposing Mannone to crosses to Robin Van Persie who hasn’t dropped off one iota since leaving Arsenal.
Nice segue eh? All of the Arsenal defenders, especially Vermaelen and Mertesacker will have to be alert to the presence of Robin Van Persie throughout the game. As much as it pains me to watch it, Van Persie has been stellar for United and continues to do what he did for us – carry them on his back. I won’t get into the argument of where United would be without Van Persie because where would we have been without him?
Needless to say he is still healthy and still in form. Those praying for an injury or hoping his first game of the season was any indication of how he’d turn out are still waiting and wanting. We can’t dwell on that. He now wears the opposition shirt and frankly needs to be treated with the same disdain (tinged with respect) from our players that we would treat any opponent.
Ideally the league’s best defense (yes Arsenal boast the league’s best defense at this point) need to take Robin Van Persie out of the game. It’s not an easy task to do. He’s been quite good and you just can’t lay a shoulder on him trying to jostle for position. He’ll just shimmy away and jink and jive his way to hitting a curler in the far corner. No, you have to have an ever present body on him.
You have to force Robin to look back and pass but just giving him very little to work with in terms of space. And again you have to let him know you are there. Get him passing the ball away when he gets it at his feet. Furthermore deny him the ball, own possession SIGNIFICANTLY and he is less of a threat. You cannot let Robin be Robin or we will pay for it.
Additionally, while my projected lineups are my attempt at figuring out what I would do plus in reality what the managers will do, Arsenal should be a little less predictable. I love the idea that Dan Cowan from North London is Red – rotate play and formations from our preferred 4-3-3 to either a 4-4-2 or a 4-1-3-2 better known as how we played from 2001 – 2005 (for Dan’s summary on all of this read here – http://northlondonisred.co.uk) .
He’s right though, for the last few years our whole system of play has been predictable and Fergie has prepared for it. When we have had better sides in terms of player talent he has set up to combat us and been effective. Arsenal need a bit of unpredictability if they are going to do something.
Both teams have issues. Manchester United has handled their issues much better than Arsenal. It will come down to which team is better at exploiting the other’s weaknesses better. In the end the team that does that comes out the winner.
How the match should play out:
Let’s just say it will be a raucous affair. I actually expect a tinge of the nasty to this and more from the Arsenal side who may feel they have a point to prove to their not-so-dearly-departed son. The away fans will certainly be up for it and as much as they cheered for the team during that loss last season, they should be in fuller voice this Saturday. Hopefully, it’s enough to spur the team on. The need to be quick and they will as always look to keep the ball. The midfield battle will the key. Look for the Gunners to establish control early. If they can do that they can put pressure on a defense that has been more wobbly than the Gunners.
For United’s part look for them to attack down the right of their team using Rafael and Valencia to bring the ball up and put pressure on the weakest side of the Arsenal defense. That combination with crosses to Rooney delivering to Van Persie could be the key to United battering Arsenal. The Gunners will need to shut that down in order to have a chance.
Players To Watch:
Arsenal: Santi Cazorla. Even with his lead legs of the last few weeks he has been the best signing in the Premier League. He has been so good he draws at least 3 players to him each game. If given the space in the midfield he will be a constant threat to United’s makeshift defense.
Manchester United: Robin Van Persie. Duh.
Projected Lineups:
Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal: Gervinho (ankle) Diaby (thigh) Gibbs (thigh) Szczesny (ankle) Fabianski (back) Rosicky (leg)
MUFC: Vidic (knee) Kagawa (knee) Smalling (match fitness) Jones (knee) Keane (knee)
Leading Scorers:
Arsenal: Gervinho 3
MUFC: van Persie 7
Assists Leaders:
Arsenal: Podolski 2, Cazorla 2
MUFC: Rooney 4
Last Meeting: (EPL)
Arsenal: 1
MUFC: 2
Goals For:
Arsenal (away): 1.2
MUFC (home): 3.2
Goals Against:
Arsenal (away): 0.6
MUFC: (home): 1.8
Last Five:
Arsenal: WLWLD
MUFC: WWWLW
Goal Difference:
Arsenal: 8
MUFC: 11
Match Official:
Referee: Mike Dean. Matches: 6, R0 Y15.
Broadcast Information:
US: ESPN2 – 8:45 AM EST
UK: Sky Sports 1 12.45 BST
GAMEDAY CHAT: Has been suspended pending identification of new chat system
YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 2
MUFC: 2
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ramsey is left behind because of injury. at least wenger won’t have the option of playing ramsey out wide. while i’m no fan of ramsey, he didn’t put himself on the wing in the arsenal starting line up over the past few games. arshavin, theo, or even coquelin would have proven better options. another better option is coquelin at lb to santos. that’s tough because santos is fit and needs games. not sure he needs to play tomorrow. farfan has been abusing good lb’s since he played with demarcus at psv, so we know what he’ll do to a not so good lb. if theo’s fit, i say start theo at rw and coquelin at lb. jack has to play as well. we’ll see.
wenger said he didn’t have any options to replace wilshere on saturday. well, that’s because you sold song, assclown.
something i thought about after watching the reading game last week. arsenal’s attack is so anemic that players like chamakh and arshavin look as legitimate as options for the arsenal starting eleven as anyone else. i know it was only reading but they looked better options than what we have.
as far as theo being a center forward, i just can’t see it unless arsenal switches to two up top. wenger switched to the current formation to accommodate fabregas but hasn’t won a single trophy with it, and cesc is gone. theo is pacy and is a good finisher but how many times have you seen theo kill the ball with a cold first touch? for me, theo lacks the size, power, and first touch to be a lone primary front man. we’ll see.
it’s a bad time to be an arsenal fan. this team, for the first time in years, has absolutely zero superstars. but that’s not the only problem. arsenal don’t have any game winners. they need a player willing to throw the pretty stuff out the window and find a way to put the ball in the net like song and benayoun did last season. like i said, it’s a bad time.
let’s start with the captain. a great defender is patient, composed, reads the game well, and doesn’t rely so much on being fast or physical. i’ve never been convinced of vermaelen composure or his patience. he’s almost as bad as toure with his spastic episodes. his propensity to spaz can unsettle the entire team especially when it’s your captain or you’ve got young players in the team. you’ve got to keep your cool even in the big games. questionable choice for captain in my opinion.
arsenal started the season playing fairly well and then ramsey began showing up in the starting lineup. for me, he lacks the guile to be an arsenal midfielder and is just as bad on the wing. wenger’s put him on the flank and he still manages to get into everybody’s way.
i used to think giroud is as good as bendtner but i’m not sure he’s that good. bendtner would have scored more than one league goal by now. arsenal paid 13 million for him and it was all to save face for the impending departure of van persie.
podolski started out working hard but is starting to look a lot like he did at bayern. right now, i would prefer benayoun to podolski.
when i used to play in the holding role, i used to talk alot to my team on the field. however, whenever i was matched up against really good play makers in tough games, i couldn’t talk as much. it’s not that i didn’t want to talk but that i had to be focused. arteta had a tough match-up against wayne rooney and i’m sure he wasn’t at his vocal best. when a team is used to having that vocal leader and he’s suddenly missing in the big game, they play with less continuity. that’s just a theory.
at ten league games in, these are my very objective opinions. i do reserve the right to change my mind based on what i see. i truly hope we see improved play from the current crop of gunners. if not, arsenal will struggle. time will tell.
Sounds like Santos will be dropped and TV5 will be playing LB. From what I saw of the first match, Farfan and attacks down the left were the source of everything for them. We need a result but I can’t see us keeping a clean sheet nor setting out to play for nil-nil….
I still think you’re a bit harsh on Giroud. From what I’ve seen he’s having a ton of frustration with English refs and the contact they allow. As much as he needs goals he needs some calls. On the other hand, to get them he probably needs to clean up his act(ing) and stop rolling around in obvious fakery. He should drop all that and stick with the tight turns towards his good (left) foot. I agree that strength is a key at CF (esp in England), so I think he’ll be OK, just as I agree that I don’t see Theo playing as a lone CF. (Same with Bendtner.) Maybe home matches against really poor competition who still want to play a high line. That’s really the only time it worked for Gervinho (vs Southhampton)….Like you say, first touch and some guile are key, which is why Suarez at Liverpool (sort of) seems functional.
I also agree about the enforced loss of Ramsey. Theo can start on the right and show what he’s got. Just like Ramsey, Poldoski (and Santos) have the same trouble on the left and narrow our attack to the point of ridiculousness. They try to make crosses but you can see it’s not their game. I’m not sure how we can accommodate these tendencies (it will be worse with TV5 trying to play out there) unless Jack and/or Santi start overlapping towards the touch line. With Wilshere out for Fulham (who have a full weeks rest….), we may actually miss Ramsey’s run-everywhere-all-day-long spirit. Who gets his spot? Frimpong, Le Coq, Arshavin?…. Probably the latter, just so we can maybe sell him that direction in January…..
Like you say, tough times….Wish we could (at least) chat about it in the GDC…..
Just for the record:
Arsenal are off to their WORST START EVER in the league, under Mr.Wenger…
15 points from 10 games.
Keep on Keepin’ on…
After a decent display of effort and determined play early on, this team has fallen right into
the anemic efforts and displays that had us all perplexed as we tried to collapse last season
at the very end.
Do you remember the end of last year? how many consecutive matches did we play like
we didn’t give a feck about getting that CL spot? Got extremely lucky on the final day…
and now we’re back to playing like Zombies out there…
Without players coming in during January, we aren’t even getting that fiction trophy this year… you know… 4th place is a trophy.
This team has the players and the ability to compete against the best teams in the league as we saw in our performances against City and Chelsea. The fact that our manager can’t get them to compete at this level consistently reeks of poor motivation and inadequate preparation.
Ultimately, Arsene must take responsibility instead of deflecting criticism on youth, lack of funds, FFP, playing regularity, injuries and whatever else he make make up to justify his own inadequacies.
As I said 4 years ago, Arsenal will never win another major trophy under Wenger’s leadership.
CK, I think you are right on one account and wrong on another. Yes, Arsenal will not win a major trophy under Wenger. IMO, however, it is the quality of the players he has, which is a result of the financial strictures of the club and his (extreme) desire to be a good (great) manager within them. Motivation (of his players) or lack thereof, has little to do with it AND could even be seen as “good” management…..
The bottom line (for me) is that Arsenal are attempting to be a “modern” football team, which means a “brand” competing for brand dominance. As such, the up and down, extremely passionate experience of supporters AND the players, really doesn’t matter that much, nor is it even a good, sought after thing. What matters is the long-term exposure of the brand in the widespread eye of the (global) public. From that perspective, the management team is doing a tremendous job. Losing Cesc/Nasri (and taking an intentional, IMO, beatdown at OT a year ago) turned the club around, allowed for some crucial end-of-the-window business and got it back for the “3rd” trophy. This year was even better (earlier) business in replacing RVP early, getting GREAT money for him and sleepwalking through yesterday’s far more flattering result….. (Uh, Theo’s next, btw……)
Winning (or even TRYING to win) at United simply doesn’t matter. It’s just three points. They would have been nice to have gotten, but, since we don’t EXPECT to get them, it’s easier to just let them go. The three points next week, at home, vs Fulham are (far) more important, esp. in light of Spurs (our real competition) dropping all three at home against Wigan yesterday.
Likewise our match Tuesday at Schalke is also a lot more important than yesterday’s. We need a result there to keep well positioned for winning our CL group which is key for improving our chances of getting an extra couple of matches (or more) in the elimination round, depending on the draw. Do we have a chance of winning that trophy. Well, yes, just like Stag does of winning the lottery. Only fools, however, play that game….Getting to the round of 8, or the round of 4 would be very nice, however, for “brand exposure”…..
Is this exciting or fun or the way things should be done? No, it isn’t. Is it good management? Gazidis took the better part of a million quid as a bonus….
As I’ve said before (over and over and over, and to be sure, I’m close to stopping with my spew, though, obviously, I enjoy the writing….) the game is in a transitional period. Signs are bright that it will emerge a “winner,” but it may not be anything with much appeal for those of us from an earlier generation who remember something different, something better. If there is no passion, if there is a (huge) disconnect between the players and the fans, does it really matter if your club (or country) win even the “major” trophies?
An example is what I see here in Spain. I think there’s a sort of pride that comes with the triumph(s) of the “National” team and people enjoy when “their” team (either Barca or Real) one up the other, but the deepest satisfaction is that this “elevation” of the game is (mas o menos) local. It’s also a decent escape from the profound economic changes raining down on the country: the ongoing project of modernization–or the continuing transition from dictatorship and isolation to (gringo-style consumer) capitalism, with all the good AND bad embodied therein. (On the other hand, there’s plenty of unease about what “really” supporting Real or the “National” team vs Barca means, in the political sense….) Do any of the locals here in Granada care that their local club is up for a couple of years? Not really, though it’s sort of fun to see some of the young players on loan from Udinese…..
The English game is experiencing a similar transition (with maybe Sir Alex and his refs being the team of “good” and “old England” fighting the good fight vs the new money at City and Chelsea)…. ManU-Arsenal is now boring AND even IF we could pull an upset (like Spurs did two weeks ago) it would just be about (both teams) getting “back to business” (and Spurs have failed with yesterday’s result). Former teammates like (woeful) Santos or (worse) Vermaelen are happy to get a souvenir or (a chance) to be following in the wake of “winners” like RVP. They’re still stuck on (the aircraft carrier) Arsenal while United (a battleship, maybe) sails by. Both will be fine and are well positioned (compared to say the Italian clubs, the next tier of Spanish teams, etc.) for the calmer, more boring waters ahead. Will AW last longer than AVB? Yes, yes he will (and does it really matter, given that BOTH of them have better hair than Wayne Rooney?)…
No, the real losers are Arsenal fans who (are stuck in a time warp and) cannot salute the progress of the brand. Should they continue singing their hearts out, paying for season tickets, losing their minds on internet forums? Well, that depends on what else in on offer (saving money for hair transplants, maybe?)….. And (to offer some perspective….), hey, that was a pretty inspired comeback in midweek in the reserves match, eh? We’ve gotta expect a little hangover (re-grouping period) after that one, etc., etc….Back on track, hopefully, with a resolute nil-nil (or better) in Germany then a couple of BIG London derbies…..
Fun times…..
Hey, Thanks for reading! (pronouced reeding, not redding), if anybody actually is….
On the plus side, the reply boxes are a(n) HUGE improvement over the former site, as is the black on white. On the minus side, still no edit feature (I try and proof-read and edit myself before posting—DAG, I love you, but you should maybe do likewise with your articles)….and no GDC, but it looks like you’re trying on that account. For us oldsters, who maybe could also use a place to vent (even if we’re limited to <140), maybe you could do a tutorial on how we could tweet with you, as that looks like where you're most active…. Anyways, just my latest thoughts….Back to the cave…..
Cheers….
HTS. If the club(s) risk a situation where “the result on the pitch doesn’t matter”…
then they risk the fans going somewhere else with their money, where it does matter.
and if they go somewhere else, this multi-billion dollar business goes with it!
Actually, if you’re interested in becoming a ‘brand’ the fan and player experience matters quite a bit.
The AFC brand no longer means winning football. Or even attractive football. For both the customers and the top tier of players, the brand has clearly been diminished in this regard.
Right now, we’re not even as accomplished as the McDonald’d brand. Because while their product is also crap, at least it’s affordable.
I dunno Vibe….We both consume the (dire) product on our tellies, don’t we?…..
My meta-narrative, which I think you’ve been following these several years, is that the game is changing from a tribal-trudge-to-the-(pub)-stadium-(pub) routine, to a television game. When the club owners wrest the TV contracts from UEFA (and the national leagues) so that they (we) can actually pay their (our) players, we will have arrived and it will be no more interesting than the US leagues. Plenty of twists and turns before that, of course, and as long as Arsenal is on TV I’ll be watching–And, luckily, tickets should be (relatively) cheap for me next month in London….
Remember also, that being in London, on the edge of a nice neighborhood, ensures a steady stream of local AND tourist prawn-sandwich types who can plunk down for a night out if not a season pass. I’m not sure if good home support singing We Love You Arsenal is something we’re likely to see again, however….
But yes, the product is crap, though I’m glad I kept watching (streaming, that night) the crazy game at Reading….
I consume less than I did, Steve. The last two seasons are the first in years I’ve allowed myself to miss matches. I used to build my schedule around Arsenal. Now it’s a matter of Arsenal fitting in. I also haven’t bought any new gear in three seasons. (Though I certainly have more than enough, I’d probably have the new Away shirt if I felt better about the club.)
That the stadium will likely remain full for the foreseeable is not the point. That says the product, for a variety of reasons, is still selling. But it doesn’t mean the brand isn’t taking a beating.
(Thanks, DAG.)
arguably we played with our best midfield trio and we were completely over run by Man United in MF. We have no one to carry the ball forward and no quick thinkers moving the ball forward. Too much sideways and backwards play.
Also, as Stag said, where is the passion. NOT ONE player showing any fire (bar maybe Wilshere and his misguided energy). Also, Giroud and Podolski are frauds…at least Chamakh chases players when he mis-kicks or gives away posession, Giroud on the other hand could not be arsed to do much more than put his hands on his hips and start running.
No harrying Utd…boring, poor arsenal. we are going to have huge problems against the likes of wigan, swansea and even fulham next week. if last season was bad, this will be dismal.
So, this is Arsenal football now?
How many matches in a row are they going to play with absolutely no life, no passion, no determination… as if there is not a care in the world?
How long do we have to continue watching these FRAUDS suit up as “Arsenal FC”?
Does anyone in the team CARE? if so, why do they play like they don’t?
Is there going to be even a HINT of PHYSICAL PLAY from Arsenal ever again?
Nobody fears Arsenal. We never tackle hard. We never play physical in any respect, not even on defense… it’s absolutely pathetic.
Is this a ManU v Arsenal match I am watching?
There used to be a BUZZ, an ENERGY to these matches, that was really unrivaled…
tense… edge of your seat… whats going to happen next… wouldn’t miss it for the world.
Today’s match after 45 minutes is a FARCE.
United aren’t much better, much more intense… but I’ve seen Charity Shield matches with
10 times the intensity.
Frankly, Arsenal are BORING.
They don’t score. They don’t create chances. They don’t play hard.
Who is the leader on the team? Nobody on the pitch is a leader.
So, its Wenger… who’d demeanor of a proper French gentlemen… is 100% reflected
on the pitch in our play.
I’ll say it AGAIN.
I WANT MY ARSENAL BACK.
This shit that is being presented as “The Arsenal Football Club” is a SHAM.
The team I watched for years … no longer exists… this bears no resemblance of
any Arsenal team in memory.
Even the teams pre-Wenger… who finished well down the table played with PRIDE.
What is this rubbish?
IMO Vermelaen would be starting at LB with Koscielny at LCB. This would lessen Podolski’s defensive burden and keep Rafael on his toes.
Ramsey will start with Walcott replacing him @ 70 min
Arsenal to win 3-1
ManU have issues… sure… but nothing close to Arsenal’s issues.
They have 24 goals scored, and they are currently 1 point behind Chelsea… having beat them as well.
Arsenal are 7 points behind Chelsea, having lost to them (at home).
Can we win? highly unlikely… its possible, but not very probable.
Can we draw… I think that’s our hope.
But if I were wagering, I’d be betting LOSS, and… RVP scoring and setting up goals.
He’s the best striker in the league, and as you stated, hasn’t slowed down at all from last year, when he was the best striker in the WORLD for about 2/3 or the season.
3-1 United. RVP with 2 goals.