In the past week Arsenal have confirmed their title credentials, beating an in-form Liverpool side and last season’s Champions League finalists, Borussia Dortmund, and, most significantly, keeping a clean sheet on both occasions.
After facing accusations of failing to beat the ‘big teams’, accusations that increased as a result of the home defeat to Chelsea in the Capital One Cup, Arsenal have proven they are a match for any side in Europe.
On Sunday comes the acid test however. Old Trafford has not been a happy hunting ground for Arsene Wenger’s side in recent years, with the 1-0 victory in 2006 the last time Arsenal returned to London with three points. Beating United is often seen as the benchmark of a successful side and, in each of Arsenal’s title winning seasons, they came home with a positive result.
Squad and Injury News
Of late, the squad has been relatively stable, playing a key role in the success on the pitch. Though the long-term absentees are nearing return, none will be back in time for the trip north.
Though Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remains in the physio room, Lukas Podolski has returned to light training and Theo Walcott looks likely to return after the international break.
Jack Wilshere and Mathieu Flamini, who both missed out against Liverpool and Dortmund, are both back in training and, subject to late fitness tests, likely to be available, which give a huge boost as both players would add much needed steel to Arsenal’s midfield.
Players to watch
“The more the team progresses, it raises the level of expectation”. Arsene Wenger has pointed out that, as Arsenal improve, people will expect more and more from the Premier League’s pacesetters, and this is most evident regarding Aaron Ramsey.
The Welshman has started the season in dazzling form, scoring eleven goals in seventeen appearances in a coming of age of Cesc-esque proportions. With performances of this level comes expectation and, up against the likes of Michael Carrick and Tom Cleverley, Ramsey may well again prove decisive, particularly if Flamini and Mikel Arteta start in the defensive roles.
Man United play with two old-fashioned wingers, likely to be Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia, meaning Arsenal’s fullbacks will be key. Kieran Gibbs and Bacary Sagna have been in superb form of late and shouldn’t be too troubled by United’s wide men, although they should be wary of going in for the tackle in the box.
Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney are improving game by game and now have sixteen goals between them this season; our defence’s concentration levels will have to be as high as in midweek. Starting Flamini would significantly reduce Wayne Rooney’s threat in the number 10 role, though, with twelve goals against Arsenal in his career, if he’s on form, arguably no one can stop him.
Expected line-up
With Flamini’s likely return to fitness, Tomas Rosicky looks to be the player who will drop out. Though he adds to the midfield engine, hustling and harrying opponents tirelessly, Santi Cazorla and Mesut Ozil have the upper hand in attacking creativity which could be where Arsenal win the game.
Szczesny; Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Arteta, Flamini; Ozil, Ramsey, Cazorla; Giroud.
Arsenal versus Manchester United has, in the past few seasons, lost the feistiness of the late nineties and early naughties, mostly due to Arsenal’s decline.
Nevertheless, with so much riding on the fixture, a potential eleven point lead over United for Arsenal, moving within three points of second-placed Liverpool for the Red Devils, it could well be a classic.
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