Arsenal v Man Utd
Gunners Out Of Ammunition
The words ‘goal shy’ and ‘Arsenal’ are rarely uttered in the same breath. The Gunners are used to being the cavaliers of Premier League football, delighting the Emirates crowd with their artistry on the pitch as they craft goals from the highest order.
Arsenal fans have certainly not seen this type of play in the last week. The team from North London slumped to an impotent 2-1 defeat at Stoke City at the weekend, before following this up on Wednesday night with a 0-0 draw against Fenerbahçe in the Champions League. Just two weeks ago they had thrashed the Turkish club 5-2.
This failure in attack was the last thing that under fire manager Arsene Wenger would have wanted. The problems for the French manager were only supposed to be at the other end of the pitch.
The full ferocity of the critic’s barbs had been projected there due to the soft centre of the Arsenal team.
This weakness at the back has seen them concede over twice the amount of goals that top of the table Chelsea have. The tipping point for this came in the recent shambolic draw with bitter rivals Tottenham, where a two goal lead in the 89th minute turned in to a 4-4 draw at the final whistle.
A repeat showing against United would be disastrous for the Gunners' hopes of getting their hands on the Premier League trophy they’ve not held since the 2003/04 season.
Arsenal will also be out to prove that they can compete with the top teams in the division after losing to the lower lights of Fulham, Hull City and Stoke City in the early months of the campaign.
With Emmanuel Adebayor injured, Robin Van Persie suspended, and Theo Walcott doubtful, it’s going to take a big performance from the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Nikolas Bendtner and Samir Nasri to get the Gunners firing once again.
United Out To Roo-in Wenger’s Day
Manchester United travel to the Emirates in the knowledge that a win could provide a critical blow to the title hopes of one of their Premier League rivals. We may only be in the early weeks of November, but the stakes are already that high.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s charges rarely fail to go for the jugular in these circumstances. You can bet the Scottish manager will be inspiring his troops to get the right result at a time when the Gunners are struggling at home and in Europe.
This determination to claim United’s first win at the Emirates Stadium was borne out by the side Ferguson selected for the mid-week Champions League game with Celtic.
The team that took the pitch at Parkhead for the 1-1 draw was lacking several of its usual star names. Players such as Dimitar Berbatov, Anderson, Patrice Evra and Wayne Rooney warmed the bench on a cold Glasgow night.
The Red Devils put in a stuttering performance in their absence, going behind to a delightful lob from Scott McDonald in the early minutes of the match. Relentless pressure from the away team ensured, but the Bhoys goalkeeper Artur Boruc was hardly forced into making a save before Ryan Giggs finally broke Celtic’s resistance in the 84th minute.
Introducing Berbatov and Rooney to the fray changed the course of this match as Nani and Carlos Tevez struggled to fill their void.
Rooney should be a particularly effective weapon for United against the Gunners. He has always proved a nuisance to Wenger’s team, with the ex-Everton man continuing this run by scoring in the 4-0 FA Cup 5th round win last season.
A repeat of this kind of display could launch United closer to Chelsea and Liverpool and leave Arsenal stranded outside of the title race.
Goal.com - Premiership - Premier League Preview: Arsenal – Manchester United
get yer bets on!!!
Last edited by zehner; 7th November 2008 at 11:57.
right.. that's half my stash on the mancs and the gelled tumbler
wonder who/what arsender is gonna blame this time
I'm going for a bore draw.
Do you have coke?
Wenger is a nearly man...but at least they own their own ground, and the old one and don't owe all of what they are worth to the bank...what price if an Arab could afford the Arse.Originally Posted by zehner
I'm going for Arsenal. Let's see
I fancy the skank mancs 4 this one
I-never-dun-a-ting-rong-in-me-life-m8
United really need to win this one...the expectations are on them to win the league...Arsenal are only there to make up the top our and they know it.
Oh dear.
oh dear oh dear oh dearonly 250 Vcash left
Perhaps you should pm kwl and ask him what other teams 'know'?
Then bet on the opposite.
bitchy cyrille...i like it
well, I missed the 2nd half, but it looked like Arsenal was takin it home with 2-0 lead...
second goal was absolutely gorgeous
sign here please: Mister Modo
Arsenal to win the comp?
^If you write them off I just might be tempted.
Your lot are looking a bit rusty aren't they.
The whole back four were playing like strangers.
Neville looked like he was running on empty and Vidic was pants.
Posting Permissions
LinkBack URL
About LinkBacks
Bookmarks