Match Preview: Arsenal v Manchester United; Which caged animal will come out on top?

Well, after a few days of reflection and retrospect, as well as heavy dose of Gooner infighting, we get the chance to see if Arsenal can make things right as they take on Manchester United.

Historically, this isn’t a club we do well against especially in recent years. While we’ve won a few they’ve hardly been consequential to where Arsenal were in the table and Manchester United were. In fact things had gotten so bleak for the match up that the contempt Wenger and Alex Fergueson used to show to each was warmed as Arsenal were no longer a perceived threat to United’s title ambitions.

All that is ancient history. The match against United matters for a plethora of reasons. And it matters for both teams. So there will be no and there CAN BE no going through the motions for either team.

It really is a battle of which team is going to want it more and work for it more. Arsenal need to come out with the same hunger and venom they showed in big matches like against Napoli at the Emirates or Bayern away. It needs to be a 90 minute concerted effort to force United back in their end and keep them there.

United may be backed into a corner and they may seem a shell of their former winning-selves but they still have enough talent up top to make Arsenal pay if we don’t come into this match like it’s the last of the season and everything depends on it.

Should Arsenal not muster the necessary “minerals” to take the fight to United and lose this match, they will effectively prove the mumblings of those who feel Arsenal don’t have the mettle for the fight. Popular opinion was it was only a matter of time before we capitulated our fight and let everyone’s (outside of Arsenal supporters) favorites assume the top spot.

Additionally, it would bring us back to the infighting that took over all media in the wake of the loss to Liverpool.

However, there is hope and there are plenty of examples that Arsenal have it in them to turn the humiliation of Saturday into adulation on Wednesday. This season when faced with challenges and questions to their credentials and standing, Arsenal have sufficiently provided answers.

When everyone was screaming in the wake of the Aston Villa loss, Arsenal immediately made a run to the top of the table. One they’d enjoy for 130 days of the season. When they lost to Manchester United and everyone was saying United were back in the race and Arsenal slipping, Arsenal opened up a 15 point lead over last year’s champion’s built on their own methodical consistency and United’s failings.

When Manchester City and Arsenal decided to see who’s defense was worse at the Etihad Arsenal still managed to keep the pressure on the other title contenders by formulating another run of consistent performances. One that finally ended in the aftermath of the loss at Merseyside.

This is a team that is maturing every week. Again, I will make the argument that they certainly can win the title, I still wonder if they actually will. No, it’s not because of any doubt of the makeup of this team but because I think this team needs more time together. Manchester City took two seasons to get the title with the squad they wanted. They had to endure tests and find silverware from another route first – the FA Cup. I still contend that this is Arsenal’s best chance for Silverware and if they can do it, it does portend well for the future of this club.

But we still have to have an answer for the events of this past weekend. Let’s not mince words it was abysmally horrid. Arsenal got behind and rather than resorting to the formula that worked – namely patient, methodical play that picks apart opponents, they quickly tried to change the tide, thus stretching themselves out and allowing Liverpool every opportunity on goal.

Arsenal can’t be impatient on Wednesday. They have a formula that has gotten them here. They have to play their game and regardless of what the fan reaction to the game is that can’t force the issue. Play fired up. Play hungry, but don’t let that distract from what has gotten the club back to being in the title hunt.

Arsenal have to control the play. They need to find the alleys and channels to exploit United’s weak back four. They still have talented players back there but they aren’t as menacing as they were in year’s past. They have slowed down and if Arsenal commit to patient, creative play as is their usual style they will create chances.

United are good for goals. It’s a question of how many. If we allow them chances and they stick to form, they will look wide to cross the ball in the box. Our defensive unit has to be aware of this. United attempted 81 crosses against Fulham this weekend – roughly 25% were successful. We have to mark out Van Persie and keep the chances outside of the 18 yard box.

Additionally, if Moyes persists with Mata out wide he makes him ineffective but he’s still deadly and needs to be account for which is why I hope Wenger goes with Gibbs. Gibbs offers speed in addition to his defensive skill and if need be his ability to get back quick as an extra body against Mata will be necessary.

Finally, Mikel Arteta has to make Rooney work for the ball. Regardless of whether or not Arteta is a true DM, that’s the role he occupies in this team and in this match. Rooney has been dropping deeper to get the ball. Oddly, though he and Van Persie aren’t connecting with any regularity. A tandem that seemed so in tune with each other last season barely get 6 passes to each other in recent games. Still, Rooney has been an Arsenal killer and it will fall to Arteta to quiet him as best he can.

This is a tough match to call because so much is at stake for both squads. Each one needs a win for different reasons.  It’s why I expect it to be a good entertaining affair. I am biased in that I am an Arsenal supporter and I still think there is more in Arsenal than there is United.

I think you can throw out all of the records that say that Moyes isn’t successful against top sides but I still think in the end he finds himself wanting. Arsenal have done what United haven’t and have made home a fortress. They have shut out their last 6 visitors (in all comps) 12-0. I expect United to break that duck, but it still won’t be enough to see off Arsenal.

UPDATE:

And to give the match extra “oomph” and highlight the crazy, unpredictability that is the 2013/2014 season – Arsenal now have a chance to go back top of the league with a win over United as a result of Chelsea’s 1-1 draw against West Brom.

Who said it wasn’t going to be fun?

Probable Lineups:

Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal: Walcott (ACL), Ramsey (thigh), Kallstrom (back), Vermaelen (calf), Flamini (suspension – 1) Diaby (you name it)

Manchester United:  Jones (calf), Fellaini (groin) Evans (calf), Cleverly (knock), Ferdinand (knee), Nani (hamstring)

Match Officials:
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Matches: 1. R1 Y58 PK 3)
Assistants: Mullarkey, Cann
Fourth Official: Mason

Head to Head Statistics:

Broadcast Information:
US: NBC Sports Network (USA Network – alternative) – 2:45PM EST

UK: BT Sport – 19.45 GMT

Match Prediction:
Arsenal 2 – 1 Manchester United

Match Facts (courtesy FourFourTwo)

• Arsenal have kept 10 clean sheets in their last 11 matches in all competitions at the Emirates Stadium and conceded just one in the other match.
• Robin van Persie has scored in each of the last five meetings between these two teams, the first two times for Arsenal and the last three for Man Utd.
• Arsenal have had Under 2.5 goals in their last eight home matches
• The Gunners have won six of their last eight Barclays Premier League games at home by a 2-0 scoreline.
• Arsene Wenger’s side have won 15 and lost just one of their last 21 Premier League home matches (D5) and in that run only two teams have managed to score more than one goals at the Emirates.
• Arsenal have had 2-0 scorelines in their last six home wins
• Man Utd have only failed to score in one of their last 24 Premier League away games, but they have only kept two clean sheets in their last 15 on the road in the competition.
• Arsenal have won just one of the last 10 Premier League games against Manchester United (W1 D2 L7).
• Man Utd have had loss/loss results in their last four away defeats
• Juan Mata has scored in each of his four starts against Arsenal in all competitions.
• David Moyes has never won a Premier League game away from home as a manager against Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool or Man Utd (P48 W0 D18 L30).
• Arsenal have been level at half-time in their last five home matches
• Wayne Rooney has scored 10 Premier League goals against Arsenal (including his first and his 100th), his joint-highest tally against any opponent and also the joint-most by any player against Arsenal in the competition (along with Robbie Fowler).
• This is the first time that Arsenal and Manchester United will meet in a Premier League match after both failing to win their preceding fixture since April 2008.