What: English Premier League
Who: Manchester United vs Arsenal
When: Saturday 3rd November, 2012, at 12:45 UK Time
Where: Old Trafford, Manchester, England
Old Friends Reunited
Manchester United host Arsenal at Old Trafford here for the first time since that match – the 8-2 which marked the low point of Arsene Wenger’s time in charge at the Emirates. That day, Robin van Persie scored for Arsenal; here he will line up against his former team-mates for the first time, and the Dutchman could have a particularly fascinating duel with close friend Thomas Vermaelen.
Arsenal know better than anyone what Van Persie is capable of and he has continued the form he showed last season. And given the performance of Arsenal’s defence in their last few Premier League games, the striker will be relishing the chance to take on his old side.
Victory over Chelsea last weekend moved Manchester United to within a point of the league leaders and Sir Alex Ferguson’s men are in a familiarly strong position. The Red Devils have also scored in a record 53 home games in a row in the Premier League, but will be keen to avoid falling behind here, as they have in so many of their games so far this season. Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans are likely to start at the back for Manchester United and they have proven the team’s most reliable centre back duo during 2012. If the pair are on form then Arsenal’s goal shy strikers can be kept at bay. That could be a recipe for success, given the magical attacking powers of Ferguson’s side.
Gunners On High After Historic Comeback
Not only did Arsenal experience a disaster at Old Trafford last season, but the return in London marked the first point when there seemed to be open revolt against Arsene Wenger, as fans booed his decision to withdraw the exciting Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for the enigmatic Andrei Arshavin. The Frenchman’s future was as uncertain at that point as it had ever been, but the turnaround since is credit to his ability to consistently keep Arsenal, if not quite at the top, at least in the top four.
That position appeared under threat after recent poor form in successive defeats to Norwich and Schalke, but the misfiring Gunners look to have turned a corner since. A 1-0 win over Queens Park Rangers, achieved with a huge slice of luck, got them back to winning ways, however it looked on Tuesday as though it would be another embarrassing night for Wenger, with his team 4-0 down at Reading in the League Cup before the half time whistle had even blown.
A remarkable comeback later – Arsenal came from four goals down for the first time in their history to cap an astonishing 7-5 win – and suddenly the club have been revitalised and positive energy is back at the Emirates. With Jack Wilshere’s timely return to action and the improved form of Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud in midweek, optimism has returned to the North Londoners just in time for their second trip to Manchester of the season. And when even the much maligned Marouane Chamakh is scoring, anything is possible.
Recent form
Manchester United:
Manchester United 3-2 Braga (23/10; Champions League)
Chelsea 2-3 Manchester United (28/10; Premier League)
Chelsea 5-4 AET Manchester United (31/10; League Cup)
Arsenal:
Arsenal 0-2 Schalke 04 (24/10; Champions League)
Arsenal 1-0 Queens Park Rangers (27/10; Premier League)
Reading 5-7 AET Arsenal (30/10; League Cup)
Key absences
Manchester United: Nemanja Vidic; Phil Jones; Chris Smalling; Anders Lindegaard; Shinji Kagawa
Arsenal: Tomas Rosicky; Wojciech Szczesny; Lukasz Fabianski; Kieran Gibbs; Gervinho; Abou Diaby
Players to watch
Manchester United – Antonio Valencia: Whenever these sides have met in recent years the game has followed a similar template. Arsenal dominate possession, find it hard to break the Manchester United defence down, then when Ferguson’s side win the ball they get it out wide quickly and counter with ruthless efficiency. Key to that is the speed and direct play of their wingers and few have been better in recent times than the Ecuadorian Valencia. His ability to take a full back out of the game with his dribbling could draw Arsenal’s centre backs out of position and that would open up space for Manchester United’s deadly attackers. With Kieran Gibbs still not fit and Andre Santos playing at left-back again, Valencia could have a field day.
Arsenal – Santi Cazorla: Cazorla has been unable to influence recent matches quite as emphatically as he did at the start of this season. The focal point for Wenger’s side so far this term, it should be interesting to see how far he is able to effect proceedings at Old Trafford. Manchester United’s much noted weakness is in central midfield, where they have been alarmingly open at times. That should present Cazorla with the opportunity to receive the ball in the areas he is best in and dictate play for the visitors. And if the Spaniard has a good game, then Arsenal have a chance.
Match Prediction
There were 21 goals in total in these two sides’ respective League Cup ties in midweek – with each conceding five. That may be a statistical aberration and both teams played much weakened sides, yet the games reflected Arsenal and Manchester Unired’s commitment to attack and there is much to excite neutrals here. For the first time in many a year, it is Manchester United who look to have the stronger attack and Arsenal the better defence. In fact, the Gunners still have the Premier League’s most resolute backline, conceding just six in nine games.
Ferguson’s approach to this game could be critical. If he decides, like last weekend, to go with an attacking line-up with wingers, then he could exploit the weakness down Arsenal’s left with Andre Santos. However, that would likely cede midfield to Arsenal’s trio of Mikel Arteta, Wilshere and Cazorla, who could expect to dominate possession. If Manchester United play a diamond, then that part of the pitch will be congested and the game will be less open as a result.
With Manchester United’s attacking instincts, they are more likely to go with the former system and this Arsenal side look best when counter attacking at pace themselves – that has certainly brought out the best in Lukas Podolski, who should have more of an impact in this game than recent matches, while Theo Walcott should also thrive in such circumstances. Both teams will have opportunities and the winner is likely to simply come down to which side is more clinical. There is a Dutchman playing for the home team who is particularly adept in that area and it would be no surprise to see him prove decisive in this game. Manchester United 2-1 Arsenal.
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