PREVIEW
Realistically only pride is at stake for
an Arsenal side who have slipped out
of the Premier League title race in
recent weeks, but the chance to
upset rivals Manchester United and
halt their march to the trophy is still
an attractive proposition.
When the fixture computer brought
United and Arsenal together, just
before the Red Devils face Chelsea,
many thought that the game would
have a significant impact on where
the title would be heading. However,
with United needing just six points
(and a boost to their goal difference)
even if Chelsea manage to take
maximum points from their
remaining fixtures, a draw is all the
Red Devils need from Emirates
Stadium to virtually assure
themselves top spot.
United play relegation-threatened
Blackburn and Blackpool in their final
two fixtures but, while the title is
beyond their reach, Arsenal are still
facing a battle to finish in third place.
With Manchester City only five points
behind them (with a game in hand)
and tough trips to Stoke and Fulham
to come, a place in the automatic
Champions League slots is far from
assured.
The main problem for Arsene
Wenger is that Sir Alex Ferguson
appears to have the beating of him.
While the contests between the two
were fairly even back in the early
years, Ferguson has taught his
players how to beat the Gunners and
has picked up six wins in seven
games by getting his men behind the
ball and hitting the opposition hard
on the counter-attack.
It is a tactic that has served Ferguson
well against the Gunners and the 2-0
win in the FA Cup earlier this season,
where United played with seven
defenders on the pitch, ensured that
the club struck another mental blow
to Wenger's philosophy, as well as a
physical one.
United have the luxury of resting
some star players again with a
Champions League semi-final against
Schalke coming up. Ryan Giggs, Rio
Ferdinand and Antonio Valencia are
all in line for a bench role, with Chris
Smalling, Rafael and Park Ji-Sung
ready to plug the gaps.
Arsenal will welcome back long-term
absentee Thomas Vermaelen for a
reserve clash on Thursday, but the
United game should come too soon
for him; otherwise, it's full strength
for the Gunners and there are no
excuses to hide behind if the
performance level is not there. With
the end of a sixth trophyless season
on the horizon, calls for Wenger's
head have been heard with more
regularity among the more reactive
fans at Emirates Stadium, but if
anything highlights the Frenchman's
failure to take his young side
forward, it is his record against
United.
Arsenal player to watch: Johan
Djourou. Despite Arsenal's failures of
late, Djourou can consider the
season a personal success as he has
managed to complete a campaign
without major injury. The Swiss
defender will equal his highest
number of starts for the Gunners in a
single season (18) on Sunday, but
came under fire in the 2-1 defeat to
Bolton for his lack of leadership and
aerial presence at the back. At 24, he
is something of a Gunners veteran
having made his debut for the first XI
in 2006, but has work to do to
convince fans that Arsenal do not
need to spend.
Manchester United player to watch:
Nani. Having been dropped for the
hard-working Park Ji-Sung for the
Champions League game with
Schalke, the Portuguese midfielder
will be ready to help his side's title
charge at Emirates Stadium. Unlucky
to have been left off the PFA Player of
the Year shortlist, Nani has incredible
pace and skill on the ball and is a
constant threat down the flanks. His
freedom of expression sometimes
gets the best of him though and
Arsenal fans will not forget his
taunting of them in their 3-0 defeat in
the FA Cup in early 2008.
Key Battle: Cesc Fabregas v
Anderson. Fabregas has not been in
the greatest form since his back-heel
aided Barcelona's cause in their
Champions League clash and the
Arsenal captain needs a good
performance to prove his
commitment to the club. Rumours
continue to circle about a possible
£40 million summer move to
Barcelona and if Fabregas' focus and
vision return then the Gunners will
be a threat. Battling with him in the
middle of the park will be Brazilian
Anderson, who was the subject of
amorous glances from Wenger
while plying his trade at FC Porto. His
incisive passing was at its best
against Everton and the midfielder's
energy and drive from box to box
will make him a tough opponent.
Trivia: Since 1992, United have done
the double over Arsenal three times:
In 1996-97 it was 1-0 and 1-2, while
in 2004-05 United won 2-0 and 2-4.
Last year, it was 2-1 and 1-3.
Stats: Since Arsenal beat Manchester
United on penalties in the final of the
FA Cup in 2005, they have won just
three of their 15 games against them.
United have won six out of their last
seven games against the Gunners.
Odds: Arsenal (2.62), Man Utd (2.75)
and the draw (3.25) are on offer at
bet365 and Wayne Rooney to score
first in a 1-0 win for United comes in
at 26.00.
Prediction: Arsenal's confidence is
shot - as shown by their one win
since February 23 - and United are
the best at playing against them. A
draw would probably be a good
result for the Gunners, even at
home, but it would not stop United
winning the league.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
at Arsenal
Jan 31, 2010 Arsenal 1-3 Man Utd
(Premier League)
May 05, 2009 Arsenal 1-3 Man Utd
(Champions League)
Nov 08, 2008 Arsenal 2-1 Man Utd
(Premier League)
at Manchester United
Mar 12, 2011 Man Utd 2-0 Arsenal (FA
Cup)
Dec 13, 2010 Man Utd 1-0 Arsenal
(Premier League)
Aug 29, 2009 Man Utd 2-1 Arsenal
(Premier League)
OTHER SCORES
12:00 PM - Birmingham vs
Wolverhampton Wanderers
12:00 PM - Liverpool vs Newcastle
United
4:10 PM - Manchester City vs West
Ham United
Topic: Arsenal vs Manchester United on 01/05 (Read 1682 times)
