Arsenal vs. Manchester United

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-------Carrick----Fletcher------
Mata-------Rooney-------Kagawa/Januzaj
------------RVP------------------

Considering expectations are at an all time low and we have nothing to play for we might as well just chuck in all our best attacking talents and go for it. If we get dicked at least it'll have been in style. If Moyes opts for Young and Valencia and goes with the crossing game, I will make it a certainty that a Fatwa be declared against Moyes.
 
Donaldo said:
Again, I don't think there is an issue with the way you have been playing against the bigger sides. Some of your performances in the Cl, and a couple in the league are testament to that.

I think Moyes's problem is a severe underrating of how well your central midfield can link with your attack. He's out of his depth for the job in the long run, but speaking about tonight, I feel a minor tweak to tactics to make you more potent on the counter will be the way he will go. And it could just pay dividends.
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If only we had as much faith in him as you do...
 
Colin129 said:
If only we had as much faith in him as you do...
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This fatalism is but natural. Your lot have been spoilt for over a generation now.

I doubt he'll be around for long, but this is the point where your supporters should think of how best you can work with what you have, as opposed to going up in arms. Couple of more bad results, and I think you'd be well justified to.
 
Either go and play an open game (but still have Fletcher and Carrick sitting) with Rooney, Mata, Januzaj, and van Persie or try to be a little more cautious and play three in midfield with Januzaj relegated to the bench... Just don't play Valencia or Young and we might get something out of this game IMO. If we play either of those two from the start I don't think I'd hesitate putting money on Arsenal to win.

I do think Arsenal need this win more than us though and a draw is next to no good for either side. Arsenal not winning would probably dump them out of the running for the title, while even if we win here I very much doubt we have a chance of catching Liverpool. I'd actually rate Liverpool's chances of winning the title higher than our chances of finishing fourth - which is an amazing thing to say after the fortunes of both clubs in recent history.

Part of me thinks Moyes will take a draw, which is just not what we can go there for. We need to win to have a chance of putting any credibility to this season at all (at least finishing fifth), though I do think it's getting to beyond the point of caring now. All of our cards are on the Champions League. Time has pretty much ran out in the League.
 
---------------------De Gea--------------------
Rafael---Smalling------Vidic--------Evra
---------------Carrick----Fletcher-----------
--Januzaj----------Rooney----------Mata-
---------------------Van Persie----------------

Subs: Lindegaard, Jones, Giggs, Fellaini, Valencia, Kagawa, Chicharito.
 
MUFCgal said:
---------------------De Gea--------------------
Rafael---Smalling------Vidic--------Evra
---------------Carrick----Fletcher-----------
--Januzaj----------Rooney----------Mata-
---------------------Van Persie----------------

Subs: Lindegaard, Jones, Giggs, Fellaini, Valencia, Kagawa, Chicharito.
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It makes you weep looking at the quality of that lineup, and then checking the league table
 
pauldyson1uk said:
not expect a classic to night, the weather is going to be horrendous , very wet and very windy.
Think I would be happy with a draw, no more injuries and playing reasonably well.
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I think even two out of those 3 things would leave me fairly happy at the very least.
 
I think we'll give a good account of ourselves tonight. United usually show up for the big games (granted, not so much this season), but although our confidence is low, so is Arsenals and now is probably the right time to be playing them.

As much as I would like to see Kagawa starting, I just cant' see it. I think he'll opt for Valencia/Young on one of the flanks, with Mata on the other with instructions to roam. Rooney and RvP up front with Rooney dropping and linking up etc..

I wouldn't mind Fellaini starting if he is fit now. I think he is a much better player than his current performances and IMO will get better with game time.

Regarding the match itself I think we can expect to be passed to death throughout the game and hope we are able to take advantage with fast counter attacking. Arsenal have been vulnerable to being hit on the counter over the years, but I suppose that all depends whether we are on our game and not misplacing so many crosses.

Other than that, looking forward to the game if I'm honest (always do) and hope we can get a good result.
 
People are probably quietly confidence (of getting a result) after the way Liverpoo tore them apart. I'm not. Poo players are playing for their manager, they're fighting for everything, and confidence is high. The complete opposite of our situ

I've stocked the beer fridge, and am bracing myself for a rough night
 
Had Arsenal not been slaughtered over the weekend I'd be feeling good about sneaking up on them. But they were slaughtered, no doubt got bitched at by their WAGs and are out for blood.

But if conditions are indeed treacherous, high winds and surfs and locusts everywhere, we might be able to smash and grab le arse.
 
If anyone is interested, you can get 3-1 on an Arsenal win and 9-1 on a United win tonight on Paddy Power, new accounts only though.
Just thought I would share.
I got 25 quid on each.

Edit: its 4-1 on Arsenal.
 
BigWillprunier said:
If anyone is interested, you can get 3-1 on an Arsenal win and 9-1 on a United win tonight on Paddy Power, new accounts only though.
Just thought I would share.
I got 25 quid on each.

Edit: its 4-1 on Arsenal.
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Going to be a draw so. ;)
 
4.45am start for me. I'm gonna be knackered tomorrow and if we lose, pissed off as well.
I'll be up. Off to bed for a few hours. Midnight here now.
 
Freak said:
This is going to be 3am+ for me. I'll probably wake up, check the line ups and if either of young and Valencia are in the starting lineup then I'm going back to sleep straightaway.
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:lol: Wanker
 
I know this won't be a popular thing to say, but I really think we need to have Valencia on the pitch today. Against Fulham I gave a warning regarding our right side and the fact that Rafael would expose too much space behind him when going forward, and that would be an area where fast players like Riise, Richardson and Holtby could take advantage. All Fulham goals got started from our right side. So for that reason I think we need someone like Valencia to, who is able to cover up, and I could also imagine seeing Smalling play the fullback role. Thing is we don't have that many defenders any more. A joker in this game could be Ferdinand?


The other thing to consider is whether we should be playing all three of Rooney, RvP and Mata at the same time. To me it looked like Januzaj and Mata had a little bit of an understanding between them - and that showed after those few minutes they had together. I think Moyes have to make a decision, and against Fulham he decided to let Januzaj sit on the bench.

If SAF would still be managing the team we would probably see something really surprising like a midfield three of Fletcher Carrick and Giggs and going forward with Rooney Mata Rvp

My line up would be something like this:

The obvious
Rafael Smalling Vidic Evra
Valencia Fletcher Carrick Mata
Rooney
Rvp

Changes:
Hernandez 69th for RvP
Januzaj 69th for Fletcher
Valencia 78th for Young
 
Freak said:
This is going to be 3am+ for me. I'll probably wake up, check the line ups and if either of young and Valencia are in the starting lineup then I'm going back to sleep straightaway.
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You shouldnt wake up then because if you think we're going to play RVP, Rooney, Mata and Januzaj at the Emirates, you're kidding yourself. I can actually see Moyes benching both Mata and Januzaj and playing Valencia and Young on both flanks. Am not kidding.
 
Im red2 said:
probable?
whmqzk.jpg
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Why is Evra white?
 
Varun_Utd said:
You shouldnt wake up then because if you think we're going to play RVP, Rooney, Mata and Januzaj at the Emirates, you're kidding yourself. I can actually see Moyes benching both Mata and Januzaj and playing Valencia and Young on both flanks. Am not kidding.
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No way is he benching Mata, considering he's been pretty much our only good player these last few games. Also Moyes spent 37m on him, and Mata left Chelsea because he wasn't playing much. How do you think he'll feel if he gets benched for absolutely no reason in a big game? More of a chance of benching RVP or Rooney, then Mata, and rightly so.
 
bosnian_red said:
No way is he benching Mata, considering he's been pretty much our only good player these last few games. Also Moyes spent 37m on him, and Mata left Chelsea because he wasn't playing much. How do you think he'll feel if he gets benched for absolutely no reason in a big game? More of a chance of benching RVP or Rooney, then Mata, and rightly so.
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You really think Moyes could bench Rooney? No way imo. RVP he could bench but unlikely considering he'd want the No 10 to put in a proper defensive shift and would favor rooney over mata for the role.
 
Taking everything into account, I can see us playing:
De Gea
Rafael Smalling Vidic Evra
Carrick Jones
Valencia Mata Rooney
Van Persie​
He might not put Mata on the wing for this one because Rooney is better at tracking back which we'll need a lot of, and we'll need Mata in the center to help unlock their defence and because Mata is simply a better #10. It'll be because of defensive reasons that he's moved in the middle though. Valencia or Young will be the other winger for sure though, sadly.
 
Varun_Utd said:
You really think Moyes could bench Rooney? No way imo. RVP he could bench but unlikely considering he'd want the No 10 to put in a proper defensive shift and would favor rooney over mata for the role.
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No, there's no chance of it, just like there's no chance he'll bench Mata because of this supposed story how he's shit defensively (even though he put in more tackles then anybody else against Stoke, not sure about the Fulham game, but he wasn't bad then either defensively). The most likely scenario is probably like I posted above, Jones in midfield next to carrick, then Valencia/Young on one wing, Rooney, Mata and Van Persie interchanging between #10, striker and winger roles.
 
You know what? I can't wait for this. In no way should I be optimistic, yet I am.

I don't think a loss would mean much in the grand scheme of things. But a win would be huge.
 
setting off shortly, with a nervous mentality.

Moyes is infamous for having an appalling record away at the big teams, they've just taken a massive tonking, and we're not exactly playing marvellously either.

Will be amongst a sea of arsenal goons calling everyone caaaaants and abusing VP too.
Really hope we stick one up them.
 
bosnian_red said:
No, there's no chance of it, just like there's no chance he'll bench Mata because of this supposed story how he's shit defensively (even though he put in more tackles then anybody else against Stoke, not sure about the Fulham game, but he wasn't bad then either defensively). The most likely scenario is probably like I posted above, Jones in midfield next to carrick, then Valencia/Young on one wing, Rooney, Mata and Van Persie interchanging between #10, striker and winger roles.
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He isnt shit defensively at all, far from it. I've been impressed with how much work he's willing to put in.

My original post was in response to someone saying he'd sleep if either if Valencia or Young start. I said there's more chance of both starting than none as I can see Moyes benching Mata and playing Valencia there but simply cant see him playing Januzaj too with the other 3 at the Emirates. As far what will happen, I think it'l be young on the left again.
 
If the tactics are spot on there's no reason we can't win. I'd expect our front four to give them trouble, get the ball on the deck in and around Per and we'll cause him trouble.
 
bosnian_red post: 15079973 said:
No way is he benching Mata, considering he's been pretty much our only good player these last few games. Also Moyes spent 37m on him, and Mata left Chelsea because he wasn't playing much. How do you think he'll feel if he gets benched for absolutely no reason in a big game? More of a chance of benching RVP or Rooney, then Mata, and rightly so.
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Agreed, 3 assists In 3 games why the hell would you bench him? Capable of doing anything so can't afford to leave him out, quality player.
 
KiD CaNtO said:
If the tactics are spot on there's no reason we can't win. I'd expect our front four to give them trouble, get the ball on the deck in and around Per and we'll cause him trouble.
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Yup. I think regardless of the tactics and manager we can still give them a good fight and nick a result, simply because they shouldn't need any motivating in a big game. Against Chelsea we were always going to lose, considering our best player was an 18 year old, but now we have Rooney and RVP both fit for a big game for only the second time this season (first time being the previous Arsenal game). Add in Mata, and a pretty much fully fit squad other then Nani and we have a chance.
 
Would like to see...
de Gea
Rafael Smalling Vidic Evra
Carrick Fletcher
Mata Rooney Januzaj
van Persie​
Evans for Vidic, if he's fit. Get the ball on the deck. We'll play quickly, that's been a theme under Moyes. We just need to be more intricate in and around the box tonight, lumping it in at every opportunity will not work I don't think... Although Arsenal won't pack the box like Fulham did...
 
Tosicsleftpeg said:
Agreed, 3 assists In 3 games why the hell would you bench him? Capable of doing anything so can't afford to leave him out, quality player.
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KiD CaNtO said:
Didn't Mata do the business here earlier in the season, noway he'll be benched.
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:lol:

This seems to have caused an uproar. No one's suggesting we should bench him. My point simply was that I think Moyes is more likely to bench Mata and play both Young and Valencia than drop them both and play both Mata and Januzaj today.

I could be wrong ofcourse as he may be desperate enough today to try what we've all wanted for a while now.
 
Varun_Utd said:
:lol:

This seems to have caused an uproar. No one's suggesting we should bench him. My point simply was that I think Moyes is more likely to bench Mata and play both Young and Valencia than drop them both and play both Mata and Januzaj today.

I could be wrong ofcourse as he may be desperate enough today to try what we've all wanted for a while now.
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Januzaj is more likely to be benched for one of Valencia or Young. If he benches Mata he's lost it, but he won't.
 
KiD CaNtO said:
Januzaj is more likely to be benched for one of Valencia or Young. If he benches Mata he's lost it, but he won't.
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Read Canto. Its been RVP, Rooney, Young and Mata last couple of games. A poster said he'd sleep if either of Valencia or Young start. I said its more likely both start than none. ie- Even Mata is benched and Valencia starts. Januzaj has already been on the bench last few games.
 
Varun_Utd said:
Read Canto. Its been RVP, Rooney, Young and Mata last couple of games. A poster said he'd sleep if either of Valencia or Young start. I said its more likely both start than none. ie- Even Mata is benched and Valencia starts. Januzaj has already been on the bench last few games.
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I think he might opt for one of Valencia or Young over Januzaj tonight though to be honest.
 
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