Match Preview: Manchester United v Arsenal; Can Class Win Out?

Jose v Arsenal. Manchester United v Arsenal. Classless twat v class personified.  If those two are facing off against each other, than that must mean it’s time for Arsenal to square off against Manchester United.

No love lost between these two

More than any other team, even more than that lot down the road, I hate United. They are for the longest time our biggest rivals. The glory of the league squarely laid between us and them.

The matches used to be epic. They were battles fought by warriors of an age that is long gone to football. Now, players politely shake each other’s hands and exchange shirts (sometimes before half-time.)

But with Jose Mourinho at the helm of United, maybe just maybe some of that spark will return.

For all of Arsene’s attempts to remain above the fray, it shouldn’t be lost on anybody that these two managers don’t like each

Will Jose’s stint at United bring back the fire between the two sides?

other one iota. Who can forget the cold shoulder Wenger displayed at the Community Shield a year and half ago when our man avoided Jose’s hand shake like the managerial leper the Portuguese is.

Since he has arrived on these shores Mourinho has constantly had a go at Wenger. Early on describing the Arsenal manager as a voyeur. Now, there is hardly a press conference that goes by without Jose having some blind dig at Wenger.

For his part, Wenger has tried to politely stay above the fray. When asked, he often answers in a polite manner. It’s obvious he tries to avoid the conflict or give the press and grist for the mill. But you know deep down, there is nothing Wenger would like more than to get one over on his nemesis.

On Saturday when Arsenal take the pitch at Old Trafford, Wenger may have the best chance in a while to finally break his league duck against Mourinho. Wenger has yet to beat the United Manager in the league. He has posted a paltry record of 0W 6D 5L in Jose’s two turns at Chelsea. When league and FA Cups are added the record adds 3 more losses to his total.

Wenger has a side that has lost once this season and has put on solid performance after solid performance. The hope is that Arsenal can get through November without their usual stumble and part of it has to happen this weekend.

They face a United side that is expensively assembled but playing not like the sum total of it’s parts. Add that to the fact that up to 7 of the starting XI could be out and it really does set up nicely for Arsenal.

But this is Old Trafford. To put it succinctly – Arsenal just don’t do travel to United well at all. The Arsenal’s overall win percentage away to Manchester United is a meagre 16.5% (in all competitions and eras) with only 88 goals scored (.085 gpg average.)

Whatever the reason, traveling to their heated rivals has not bode well for Arsenal – regardless of who is in charge and playing for the Gunners. Wenger has a side that is deep and has talent in abundance it’s no wonder he feels confident of his sides chances of mounting a title challenge this season. The key will be winning matches like this.

How the Match Might Play Out.

Jose’s strategies are predicated on letting possession-based teams have the ball as much as possible and then pouncing on the errors they make with the ball. It has been a staple of how he has confronted Arsenal over the years.

Arsenal are going to need to be efficient with the ball and limit their errors. While it seems obvious, it is not as easy as it sounds. The fact is that when those moments come up, we have to not only react quickly and try and get the ball back immediately, we have to insure they aren’t in areas that can hurt us.

We also have to take Jose’s game plan away from him and force him to play a more open game. Against, his former club he was soundly beaten as Chelsea jumped all over United in October. They played quickly and took advantage of a less than stellar United back 4. Jose without a plan B to his name was lost and so was his game.  It was over before you finished the first pint and it’s exactly what Arsenal need to do.

Where to Worry

It’s easy to look at a side decimated with injuries and suspensions and think Arsenal should instantly get the upper hand. But I worry that removing Rooney and Ibra from this side may actually make United better than they’ve been. Martial, Rashford and Mata are likely to make up their starting attack. Rashford we will all remember scored his first Premier League goals against us in this fixture last year.

It could be that United look more fluid then they have been when Rooney features in the squad. They will definitely be more mobile. The worry has to be down the right hand side of the Arsenal squad. With Hector Bellerin out, it’s either going to fall to Carl Jenkinson or Gabriel to deputize in the right full back slot.

What we can’t do is let United isolate that side and create 1v1s all day down there. If Theo is out wide there, he has to stick to his defensive duties as well as his attacking ones and provide cover to side. Mata or Martial and Rashford could have a field day out there if we don’t lock that side down.

Additionally, it’s also easy to overlook Paul Pogba. He has hardly done anything to merit his exorbitant transfer fee but he still has that potential. If we leave the midfield wide open for him, he will take advantage of it and look to spring free either the attacking front three of United’s or take a shot. Simply put we have to lock down the midfield.

Players to Watch.
Arsenal. Alexis Sanchez. Coming back from Chile, all eyes will be on the red hot forward. More to see if there are any lingering affects from his reported thigh injury. If there aren’t he will be handful for United’s back line.

United. Marcus Rashford. He hurt us last time because we underestimated the lad. We’d be foolish to do the same again.

Probable Lineups:

click to enlarge

Injuries & Suspensions:
Arsenal: Pérez (ankle), Mertesacker (knee), Welbeck (knee) Bellerin (ankle), Cazorla (achilles)

United: Rooney (knee), Fellani (calf), Valencia (broken arm), Bailly (LCL), Smalling (broken toe), Wilson (ACL), Ibrahimovic (suspended 1 of 1)

Last 5:
Arsenal: WWDWD

United: DDLDW

Goals Scored Per Game:
Arsenal: 2.18

United: 1.45

Goals Conceded Per Game:
Arsenal: 1.00

United: 1.18

Manager’s Point of View (Courtesy Arsenal.com)

Referee: Andre Marriner (8M, 29Y, 1R)
Assistants: S Beck, A Garratt
Fourth official: M Oliver

Broadcast Information:
UK: Sky Sports 12.30 GMT
US: NBC Sports Network 7:30 AM EST

Match Facts (Courtesy FourFourTwo.com via Opta)