Monday night’s game at Old Trafford will be typical of the long running feud between the two clubs. Unfortunately I cannot predict a feast of beautiful football. Despite the calls for respect to be given to Arsene Wenger from SAF, I can see the cynical Ferguson resorting to the tactics that he used to end our 49 unbeaten game run of the Invincibles. I predict that licensed thuggery will be used to try and put off our players. The Manchester United philosophy is simple, we do not respect those who are better than us. The other motivation is to stop the teams that will prevent the Manchester dream of a 19th title. Patrice has started a war of words by accusing Arsenal of being a training centre and pouring scorn on our barren seasons. SAF has accused Arsenal as being the most physical team since the behaviour of Martin Keown against Ruud van Nistelrooy. This is a veiled appeal to the referee to concentrate more upon the Arsenal players. Referees at Old Trafford are spineless, but the choice of Howard Webb is a good choice for the expected physical clash that could see at least one red card.
Man Utd have the advantage of having midfield supremo Paul Scholes back, and we will need to keep him quiet if we are to prevent him giving the currently erratic Wayne Rooney the ball supply he needs for a resurgence. Man Utd will also boast the return of loud mouth Evra and Rio Ferdinand. The expected attack dog will be as usual Darren Fletcher, aided and abetted by the clumsy Paul Scholes. The bad blood between Bacary Sagna and Evra who was responsible for breaking his leg during a French football League game before either of them left for their respective teams in the Premier League, will continue with Sagna likely to be really motivated by Evra’s insulting comments. Man United have yet to lose a game this season, and with the unsettled Rooney waiting to make his mark and Berbatov ‘s goal scoring form on a high, the Mancs have reasons to be confident.
Arsenal on the other hand have maintained the position in the league despite not having Thomas Vermaelen and Cesc Fabregas and Abou Diaby. The return of Robin van Persie was early enough for him now to be reaching match fitness for this fixture. What worries me will the be intention of Man Utd to try and kick the likes of Nasri out of the game. I am not asking for simulation from our players, but a few Eboue style rolls after any foul from the mancs will hopefully allow Howard Webb to keep control of the anti-football tactics of SAF. The thought is that Cesc Fabregas will return despite being 50% fit. The risk is that he then has to miss the Chelsea game on Dec 27th. With Chelsea currently in disarray, we need Fabregas more for the fixture at Old Trafford, in order to lay down a marker for our title aspiration.
Arsenal’s defensive form remains a worry, but there are signs that Johan Djourou may the steadying hand on the rudder. The tall Swiss player was shown imperious aerial command in his recent return to the first team, and his lack of pace will not be a problem against the Man Utd lineup. He is developing a good relationship with Koscielny. Gibb’s ankle injury means that he will not have to face those Champions League demons which will have haunted him since that ominous semi final night in 2009. Clichy should return following his recent illness. In the middle of the field an irrepressible Nasri is an easy selection. Song is also a major asset. The remaining midfield choices will be between the defensive options of Denilson, who is not my favoured pick or consistent flair in the shape of Jack Wilshere.
If Fabregas does not make the lineup then I can see Rosicky and Wilshere being the choices. Rosicky needs a good performance to get him back on track, and if he could put in a sublime performance then the likes of Darren Fletcher will be nullified. Arshavin should play, and his selection over Theo Walcott is by virtue of his ability to make Fabregas like passes to open up defences. We need Chamakh and van Persie to have any chance of winning the game. But I can see Wenger dropping Marouane in favour of Denilson So my prediction for Arsene Wenger’s lineup for tomorrow based upon the news will probably be Fabianski, Sagna Koscielny,Djourou, Clichy, Song, Nasri, Denilson, Fabregas, Arshavin, van Persie,. My single criticism is that the choice of Arshavin and Denilson is all about Wenger’s trusted conviction of the training field performances. But sadly I have to question the desire of these two players to win rather than just pick up the next pay cheque.
However my lineup prefers the youth and pace of Walcott against the return of Ferdinand from his hamstring injury. Man Utd’s defence does not cope well with pace, and combine this the trickery of Jack Wilshere, then Paul Scholes will be struggling to stay on the field as he will be picking up a yellow card for his well known inability to tackle well. Arsenal’s future lies in Wilshere, and he is utterly fearless. As I have said Wenger’s traditional picks consistently seem to lack the raw desire to win, a zone often insulated by the complacent assurance of very high salaries. Assuming that Fabregas returns then FTK’s lineup would be Fabianski, Sagna, Koscielny, Clichy, Song, Wilshere Fabregas, Walcott, van Persie, Chamakh. If Fabregas is unfit, then I would play Arshavin. This team has pace and youthful desire. Compared to the Wenger trusted formations who seem slow to advance and extremely reluctant to shoot, preferring instead to try and walk the ball into the net, squandering good chances.
What ever the lineup tomorrow, Arsenal must come away with something from Old Trafford. Our form against Chelsea and Man Utd may well leave the prospect of winning the Premier League in our hands. It is really about time for Arsene Wenger to get a sound 90 minute display from his team. Any aspirations of advancing in the Champions League if we are drawn against Real Madrid or Barcelona will depend upon a mounting a run of form that is title winning in confidence terms. We need high tempo, one touch Wengerball, with crunching aggression from our defence. The continued frailty of Fabianski may be our greatest weakness, but we can do no more but hope that he continues to mature. My prediction however is based upon a reluctant return to the insecurity of recent Arsenal form, we cannot be certain of anything until the final whistle and I see a draw as our likely best outcome. A win would mean that we have played our best football for at least three months.
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