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Match preview - Manchester United vs. Arsenal - The battle continues
The emergence in recent years of Chelsea as serious title contenders has diluted the intensity and hostility of this fixture but make no mistake about it, if you ask Sir Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger, this is, ‘the big one’. Perhaps because these are the two most successful English teams of the past decade or more specifically since the formation of the Premiership, between them accounting for 14 out of the 17 titles won, with United claiming a phenomenal 11 of those trophies. Perhaps it is because of both teams adherence to attacking football, rather than more negative tactics applied by others. A fixture that has boasted the presence of players such as: Roy Keane, Patrick Vieira, David Beckham, Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo and Dennis Bergkamp to name a few. Last year saw these two teams meet for the first time in the Champions League, where a fairly fragile Arsenal team was brushed aside over two legs by a dominant free-flowing United side. Now the talismanic Cristiano Ronaldo absent and with Arsenal off to a flying start, even this early in the season it is set to be a mouth watering affair.
Manchester United - After a less than convincing win against Birmingham in game week 1, followed by a shocking defeat at Turf Moor, United responded by producing a performance worthy of champions putting five past Wigan at the JJB. However, defensive problems still plague the team with the likes of Ferdinand still missing through injury, so the likes of Johnny Evans will be deputising, which he has proved to be competent in doing. With Arsenal seemingly at their free flowing best, it could be long afternoon for the young Irishman. In regards to the rest of the team, Fergie is more than likely to stick with the team that dispatched Wigan so convincingly, with Rooney and Berbatov up front. Darren Fletcher is the man to watch out for. The Scotsman has produced some wonderful displays, in particular against Arsenal in recent years, and if he is at his best and able to impose himself on the game, snapping at the feet of the likes of Fabregas, trying to break up the play and not allow the Gunners to get into a rhythm, with the home advantage it is more than likely the Champions will take three points.
12 Foster
2 Neville - 15 Vidic - 23 Evans - 3 Evra
25 Valencia - 24 Fletcher - 18 Scholes - 17 Nani
10 Rooney - 9 Berbatov
Arsenal - Last season The Gunners were chasing shadows at Old Trafford for the Champions League tie, whilst the League encounter was a fairly even affair, Arsenal slightly edging it in regards to possession, with a point for United being enough for them to clinch the title. However, Arsenal will probably not go to Old Trafford on the back of better form, and with United not completely at their best, Wenger’s men will be confident of taking a massive scalp, and heaping more woe on a United team still finding their feet somewhat this season. Arsenals are likely to stick with the 4-3-3 formation which appears to be working so well for them, allowing interchange between the forwards and midfield. However, the Wigan thrashing will have reminded the Gunners, that the champions are still dangerous and at home, they are not to be taken lightly. After his omission from the Champions League tie against Celtic due to a hamstring injury which Wenger has described as ‘reassuring’, Cesc Fabregas could feature for the tie, orchestrating and pulling the strings at the heart of the Arsenal midfield. Even if not 100% fit, it is doubtful that Wenger will remain with the young Aaron Ramsey, although the Welshman has proved that he is more than adequate cover for the Spaniard. Watch out for Andreiy Arshavin too! The hype around the Russian has not yet been met, with a fairly quiet first few games. Against Portsmouth on Saturday he was seen looking lethargic, often slowing down the play, almost disinterested by the opponents presented before him. If any fixture could motivate a player to truly shine or any stage set to mark your season, it is this.
1 Almunia
22 Clichy - 5 Vermaelen - 10 Gallas - 3 Sagna
17 Song - 4 Fabregas - 15 Denilson
23 Arshavin - 11 van Perse - 52 Bendtner
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