Arsenal vs. Manchester United

Team selection is going to be very difficult. Can we match Arsenal's midfield with a midfield two? Thinking of yesterday's game we showed we're capable to perform in a 4-2-3-1, but on the other hand we looked quite toothless in the first half. I'm almost sure Fergie will choose three in midfield again (Carrick, Fletcher, Giggs/Scholes, we could do with Anderson available now) and Park is very likely to start, even though I think he would be a bit of a waste against such a strong opponent. I'd like to see the following:

Van der Sar
Rafael - Vidic - Evans - Evra
Valencia - Carrick - Fletcher - Nani
Rooney - Berbatov​

I only want to know one thing: What is the fecking point in having a striker we paid 30m for on the bench in pretty much every single 'big game' since he signed? What is the point in playing him 'only' against opponents we're expected to beat? Yes, Fergie fancies a 4-2-3-1 formation and Berbatov doesn't fit in there, but it just seems so wrong.
 
If you look at earlier in the season Scholes was being used in away games and Giggs in the home ones.
 
----------------------Van Der Sar------------------


--Brown-----------Rio-----------Evans--------Evra--


--Valencia-------Carrick------Fletcher-------Nani--


--------------------------Berbatov----------------


-------------------Rooney--------------------------


Subs: Kuzczak, Rafael, Anderson, Owen, Gibson, Giggs, Scholes
Prediction:1-2 win. Rooney 2
 
Will Fergie really go 442 away at Arsenal from the off? I kind of doubt it but it'd be nice to see. Giggs and Scholes probably won't start after playing a lot against City...

van der Sar
Brown Vidic Evans Evra
Fletcher Carrick Anderson
Valencia Rooney Nani
--
Kuszczak; Rafael, Neville; Giiggs, Park; Owen, Berbatov​
 
I hope Anderson is back so we can field the same front 6 as at Chelsea. I can't see SAF wanting a 442 in this game, but he might be forced into one if Anderson isn't back, Scholes isn't up for it, and Gibson isn't at the level required to start one of the toughest aways.
 
van der Sar

Rafael
Evans
Vidic
Evra

Carrick
Fletcher
Anderson

Valencia
Nani

Rooney

SUBS: Kuszczak, Neville, Brown, Scholes, Giggs, Berbatov, Owen.

That's one hell of an 18! (And I'd love to see Fergie go 4-4-2, however, I just can't see it)
 
SharkyMcShark said:
I hope Anderson is back so we can field the same front 6 as at Chelsea. I can't see SAF wanting a 442 in this game, but he might be forced into one if Anderson isn't back, Scholes isn't up for it, and Gibson isn't at the level required to start one of the toughest aways.
Click to expand...

OH in place of Ando perhaps ... wishful thinking.

I think we should play Giggs in front of Fletcher/Carrick. With Valencia and Nani on the wings if we are to go with lone striker route.

Giggs will tear them apart through the middle and can swap with either Valencia or Nani throughout the game. Next game is a week away after that and it's Portsmouth at home - we can survive without Giggs for that.
 
------------VDS-----------
Brown--Vidic---Evans--Evra
Valencia-Fletch-Carrick-Nani
------Berba-Rooney--------

This will do for me.... Maybe even Park may play on the left instead of Valencia and Nani to take the right wing because maybe he just can play good on that side....
 
I can't wait to see if carrick and fletch can keep the level of performance from last night. Its gonna be 451. Rooney up front is as effective as a forward two, especially if fletch and carrick can provide support like last night. Also, it would be immense if Vidic is fit. Im going to assume he is.

VDS

Brown
Vidic
Evans
Evra

Carrick
Fletcher
Anderson

Valencia
Nani
Rooney

Subs: PIG, Neville, Fabio, Scholes, Giggs, Berbatov, Owen.

If Vidic isnt fit, then Brown will start alongside evans, and rafael at RB. Also, I feel park may get a start ahead of Nani.
 
Hope Nani starts as well. The only question mark is how he is feeling after 2 games in a span of 4 days. Valencia/Evra/Rooney are playing week in and week out because of their form, Nani should as well especially since he is also helping defensively - which is Park's big plus.

I think Park does okay but, on this form both Nani and Valencia should be starting.
 
hungrywing said:
The Park vs. Nani choice is tough. But I think the upside of giving Nani another nod far outweighs the 'safe' choice in Park.
Click to expand...

Nani is a far better choice if we want to attack them. Park would be a safe option defensively but that should not be our aim, I'd say it is a must win for us.
 
Turns out Vermaelen is still not ruled out of the game.
 
Any clue who the ref is for Sunday? Whoever it is - hopefully SAF finds a way to put a bug in his ear to give Fletcher a fair chance and not book him cause Whinger doesn't like a tough tackling, in your face player.

Going to be a tough game if we aren't allowed to close down the Arse pansies.
 
I highly doubt we'll play 4-4-2 for this one, we never seem to do against the top four away from home.

------------Vds------------
Brown-Vidic--Evans--Evra
---------Carrick-----------
----Fletcher--Anderson----
Valencia-------------Giggs
----------Rooney----------

Would be my guess.
 
Absolutely huge game. If we get beat and Chelsea win (which they should) then it's game over imo. To be honest, we need a win, even a draw isnt really good enough in the current circumstances.

VDS
Brown Vidic Evans Evra
Scholes
Nani Fletcher Carrick Giggs
Rooney​
 
peterstorey said:
No chance of 442. Swap Scholes for Anderson and that would be my guess. With a possible start for Nani over Giggs.
Click to expand...

I'd be amazed if both Giggs and Scholes don't start, even though they both played the full 90 last night.
 

van der Sar

Rafael Brown Evans Evra

Scholes
Fletcher Carrick
Valencia ................... Nani

Rooney

---------------------------------------------
Kusczczak; Neville; Vidic; Giggs; Park; Berbatov; Owen
​


We'll go with a 4-5-1 again. Might not be everyone's favourite system but it worked very well against City. We're without Ferdinand so that's a massive loss, but hopefully Vidic may be back. Think Nani deserves a starting spot, so Giggs will probably be on the bench. Going for a 2-2 draw with Carrick and Rooney to score.
 
Shimo said:
Any clue who the ref is for Sunday? Whoever it is - hopefully SAF finds a way to put a bug in his ear to give Fletcher a fair chance and not book him cause Whinger doesn't like a tough tackling, in your face player.

Going to be a tough game if we aren't allowed to close down the Arse pansies.
Click to expand...

Use the PGMOL website to check refereeing appointments

So the referee is Chris Foy

Arsenal v Manchester United 16:00
Referee Assistant 1 Assistant 2 4th Official
Chris Foy Dave Bryan Bob Pollock Mark Clattenburg
 
johnmufc said:

van der Sar

Rafael Brown Evans Evra

Scholes
Fletcher Carrick
Valencia ................... Nani

Rooney

---------------------------------------------
Kusczczak; Neville; Vidic; Giggs; Park; Berbatov; Owen
​
Click to expand...

Scholes defensive midfeilder? :wenger: ;) :lol:
 
I have learnt to respect Arsenal in their own ground, wont be confident on winning even if they have half the squad injured. Last year they had Fabregas, Adebayor and Gallas out and we at full strenght, we were 2-0 in the second half. They can be fantastic when they play at their best.
 
wouldnt be surprised if the team is similar to last night, no way anderson will play.

nani will retain his spot and valencia will come back in.

Its a must win. 3 points is vital to keep on chelsea's tail. If we lose and chelsea win we could be talking 7 points of a gap. Simply a must win
 
VERMAELEN INJURY BOOST FOR GUNNERS

By James Riach

Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen has not suffered a broken leg after limping off against Aston Villa on Wednesday.

The initial fear was that the Belgian centre-half had fractured his leg and he could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines, but the injury is not as bad as first suspected.

Indeed, the 24-year-old could even make the starting line-up for the weekend game against title rivals Manchester United in the Premier League, although this may come just too soon.

Manager Arsene Wenger told Arsenal's official website: "There is no fracture in Thomas' leg but his injury still has to be assessed.

"There is still a good chance he will not play on Sunday."

Vermaelen has settled well into life at the Emirates Stadium, and has started every league game for the Gunners this season, netting five goals in the process.


Meanwhile, Wenger has ruled out Eduardo and Abou Diaby for the visit of United on Sunday, although he says Emmanuel Eboue and Alex Song are available.

"Eduardo has a small, small, small hamstring," he added. "He will be out for one week. He will not make Man United but he might make Chelsea.

"However Emmanuel Eboue and Alex Song have been in this morning. Eboue has been running outside.

"They are both in good shape. Tired but in good shape. Both of them are available for Sunday.

"Unfortunately Abou will not be back this weekend but he could be for Chelsea."
 
So what will the starting line up for Arsenal be then? Something like:

----------Almunia-----------
Sagna--Gallas-Campbell-Clichy
------------Song-------------
----Fabregas---Denilson----
Nasri---Bendtner-----Arshavin

?
 
Vidic returns for Gunners trip

Sir Alex Ferguson is likely to recall Nemanja Vidic to his starting line-up for Sunday’s visit to the Emirates Stadium for what he describes as “the biggest game of the season”.

Vidic, who has missed the last six games for the Reds with a nerve problem in his right leg, will replace the suspended Rio Ferdinand for the crunch fixture against Arsene Wenger’s men.

“Everyone has come through Wednesday’s game, which is good news,” the boss told reporters on Friday morning at Carrington. “Obviously we’re going to miss Rio because of his ban, but other than that, they’re all fit.

“The game is, to my mind looking at how the league is shaping up, is the biggest game of the season for us. With Arsenal going on a consistent run, it’s amazing how this league has changed. If you get a few wins, as I’ve said all along, seems to suggest that the team that is the most consistent will win the league now.”

:D
 
Doevle said:
So what will the starting line up for Arsenal be then? Something like:

----------Almunia-----------
Sagna--Gallas-Campbell-Clichy
------------Song-------------
----Fabregas---Denilson----
Nasri---Bendtner-----Arshavin

?
Click to expand...

Nasri is injured, and I thought Bendtner was as well.


Diaby will play I'd think?
 
Line-up will be:

----------------- VDS ----------------

Rafael ----- Vidic ----- Evans ----- Evra

--- Fletcher ---- Carrick ---- Anderson

Valencia ------- Rooney ---------- Park
 
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