Arsenal vs United (Preview)
This is a historic post of sorts for me. It is the first time I’ve ever posted something up in another location, other than mi casa. Currently I’m in a small internet cafe in central london. Well, not everyone has the privilege to own a smartphone. Normally if I’m travelling I would pass up the chance to put up a post but we are playing Utd and I just had to give my two cents.
So here they are. Do excuse me today as I have rushed it quite a bit.
Emirates Factor
United have never beaten Arsenal in the League since we moved to the Emirates. At times, since we left Highbury the atmosphere at the Grove felt even more passive but whenever United are in town, it feels as if there are 100,000 Arsenal fans in the stadium. Yes, they beat us in the Champions League, but it was the semi-final and it came after an unfortunate slip from Gibbs that kicked matters off. The Champions League can create all sorts of freak results and I can remember when Steve McMannamanamamama scored at Barcelona in 2000 for Real Madrid. Other than that Real have pretty much never won there for something like 20 years at least. Anyway, the point is the belief of our fans is crucial. They have to be the 12th, 13th and 14th man.
Sol Campbell
If he plays, he will have acquired an interesting hat-trick. He would have played his first 3 matches back at Arsenal in all three of the Arsenal shirts. He wore the blue at Stoke, the white at Villa and tomorrow he will wear the red against United. Now that’s a colourful return. Many Gooners are afraid that Rooney will tear apart the Sol Campbell that just played at Notts County few months back. However, when he came at Villa he looked assured and I couldn’t think of many instances when he was beaten for pace. People must also realise he is playing alongside Gallas (hopefully!) and the Frenchman has had arguably his best season yet.
Diving/Gamesmanship/Rooney/Thuggery
Arsene was candid enough to admit that Almunia had fouled Rooney but only just. We could just about take that but as I mentioned in my post, Rooney’s post match interview left a lot to be desired. The 2004 penalty still rankles me and never has a penalty been so decisive for Arsenal. As you might recall United played an overtly physical game and showed no remorse when they injured our players. I’ll never forget the image of Gary Neville trying to smash Reyes up into pieces. Reyes might have left London because of the weather but I very much doubt that was the only reason why he left us.
Darren Fletcher
After United won the game back in August, Alex Ferguson and Wayne Rooney came out and praised Fletcher. I don’t know about you but this assertion was frankly baffling to say the least. If anything Fletcher was the villain for United and with a better referee this would have been proved. Not only did Fletcher handle the ball in the area but he also fouled Arshavin and we were denied the most blatant of penalties. Not forgotten here. I also looked at the stats and guess what. His stats were no better than Diaby’s or even Alex Song who was by far the best defensive player on the pitch that evening. There was also the memorable instance where Fletcher tried to foul Diaby in his trademark style but Diaby shielded the ball so emphatically that Fletcher ended up looking like a backup schoolboy player that he is. Still, Fletcher is revered by United for his workrate yada yada yada. But back in 2004 he was a nobody and those same Utd fans questioned Fergie for selecting him. Sounds familiar doesn’t it?
Vermaelen News
I have no idea what team Arsene will play tomorrow. I’m following physioroom via twitter and according to them Vermaelen might yet play! The injury was merely a bruise so nothing too serious to prevent him from being unleashed against United.
Arsenal vs Manchester United
I have to say Arsenal vs United remains THE Premiership match. Even if in two years time, Utd are 17th in the table because having sold Vidic, Ferdinand, Rooney and the imminent retirements of Giggs, Scholes, Van der Sar and Chuckle brother senior. But until then, they are not to be underestimated. Neither should we. We’ve scored a last minute goal against United in 2 of the 3 meetings at the Emirates. Come on you Gooners!
im thinking the only way to win is throw in walcott alongside arshavin, because we simply need the pace. walcott is the only player fast enough to get through the united backline by simply running into through balls. if he is thrown in at the deep end, he will surely perform, show the lad some support!!
ALMUNIA
SAGNA WILLY SOL CLICHY
SONG
CESC RAMSEY
NASRI THEO ARSHAVIN
COME ON GOOONERRRRS
@zakalp
That the most ludricous lineup i ever seen whole day man! Theo as the focal point of the attack. U gotta be kidding bigtime. As for this match Bendner `ll sure get involved as, the one who should lead the attack .Maybe from the bench if he is not fit enugh. Else its Arshavin who shuld be the makeshift front man. We all know Ramsy isn`t playing good alongside Cesc. So `ve Denilson do the defending along with Song and let Cesc Roam as the Free Spirit .
I may even throw in Rosicky in place of Nasri.
———ALMUNIA
SAGNA WILLY SOL CLICHY
———-SONG
——————Denilson
———–Cesc
ROSICKY ARSHAVIN NASRI
Sub- Bendner,Vela,(sorry, but walcott has crept behind Vela in the pecking order)
Sylvester,Febiansky
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WALCOTT IN A MORE CENTRAL POSITION. HE SEEMS SO RESTRICTED FOR SPACE WHEN ON THE WING THAT HE CAN’T USE HIS UNDOUBTED
PACE.
MY FORECAST FOR SUNDAY IS:
1. THE SLY THUG SCHOLES WILL PLAY AND GET BOOKED INSIDE 30 MINUTES.
2. THERE WILL BE THE USUAL RED MIST FROM THE LOUT ROONEY AND HE WILL GET HIS USUAL YELLOW OR A RED.
3. GIGGS WILL SPEND MOST OF THE GAME TALKING TO THE REF INSTEAD OF PLAYING FOOTBALL
4. FLETCHER WILL INDULGE IN HIS USUAL THUGGERY FROM START TO FINISH.
I ONLY HOPE THE REF WILL HAVE SOME BOTTLE SO AS TO UNSURE A GOOD SPECTACLE
FOR “UNSURE” PLEASE READ “ENSURE”