PL: Arsenal V Manchester United 01/02/05

It leaves Ryan Giggs as the only other key player who is supposedly touch and go to make the game on Tuesday. On his current form, he would be a major loss to United, but I have a sneaky feeling we'll see his number 11 shirt in the starting 11 for United.

So, what are the chances of another spread being left on display in the tunnel after this game? How about Wenger and Ferguson flying over to Las Vegas for a 12 round bout? I don't think so. How about 90 minutes of dull football with no late tackles and no real talking points? Now that would be stupid. No, what can you expect from Tuesday nights love affair between the two sides? Well I'd put my money on seeing some top quality football, some hard tackles and an atmosphere so tense you could cut it with a knife.

Just because there are double figures separating both sides to leaders Chelsea, that doesn't mean for one second that this game doesn't mean everything to both teams and their supporters. Forget Liverpool and Manchester City. Forget Tottenham and Chelsea. For 90 minutes in Highbury, only two teams will exist in the entire world and only one rivalry will be known to Gunners and Red Devils.

With Chelsea being double figures ahead of both sides going into the match, they would certainly love it if the game ended all square and both sides battered each other for the 90 minutes. Defeat for either side could cause to be extremely costly in not only ending their title hopes but denting the chances of finishing in at least 2nd place and automatic qualification to next seasons Champions League group stages.

I suppose the only question left is a one that can only be answered come Tuesday night. Whoever comes up with the answer will have to earn the right to speak up first.

The question... Who wants it more?
 
Preview: Arsenal v Manchester United

WHEN two top dogs suddenly become underdogs there can only be one outcome, an old-fashioned dogfight. And that is exactly what we all expect to see at Highbury tonight when Manchester United and Arsenal snap and snarl to decide who takes second place in the Premiership.

There is far more at stake than valuable automatic qualification for next season's Champions League, and far more than the pride of two bitter rivals.

The team which loses tonight also loses the right to challenge Chelsea for their currently undisputed No 1 spot.

Sir Alex Ferguson is under no illusions about the nature of tonight's squabble: "At this moment in time it does look as though Chelsea have an unassailable lead," he said.

"You do keep thinking about what everyone says about football, that it is such a game that it can change.

"There have been disasters time and time again. When I was at Rangers in the 1967-68 season we went the whole season undefeated until the last game, against Aberdeen. We lost that game and Celtic took the title.

"So we have to hope and keep on chasing Chelsea until it is out of the question."

No-one at Old Trafford would disagree with that, but the concern is that Fergie trotted out the same story about Rangers last season, as Arsenal were accelerating away with the title.

The manager concedes that the Londoners are not about to "do a Newcastle" and toss a 12-point lead away, as Kevin Keegan's side did in 1996.

Resilient

"Chelsea are far more resilient defensively than that Newcastle side were," Fergie added.

"I remember going to see Newcastle play at Maine Road not long before we played them in March, 1996. They drew 3-3 and could have lost by ten, and I was saying to myself `They could lose games easily, we go there in a week or so and if we can win there it could make a difference'. It did."

Chelsea look uncatchable while for United it looks like they will have lost in the title race for the second year running - the first time that will have happened since the 26-year hoodoo was brought to an end in 1993.

Questions will be asked, unless United can come up with something special in the Champions League.

Chief inquisitor will be Fergie himself, although he already knows the main reasons for United's failure to stick with Chelsea's pace this season, that awful start, peppered by absenteeism at the Olympic Games, by injury and by a shambles of a US tour.

The players will come under intense scrutiny at Highbury tonight. It is only in these pressure-cooker games that you can truly see who is up to it, who has lost it, and who needs replacing or reviving.

The same goes for Arsenal. Neither side will settle for being second-best to Chelsea, and their problems are perhaps more deep-seated than those of the Reds.

United have shown that, given a settled team and time to gel, they are still a major European force. The football they played against Middlesbrough on Saturday and in the second half against Chelsea last Wednesday, proved that point.

They should have Ryan Giggs fit, the experience winger having overcome a tight hamstring, but Alan Smith and Darren Fletcher (both ankle) remain doubts.

Fragile

Arsenal have a more fragile nature than the Reds, as their implosion following defeat at Old Trafford in October showed.

From being the invincible Masters of the Universe, they have become the third best team in the country on current form, as Fergie mischievously hinted last week.

They still have great players, but the fact that Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry have been in reverse gear since their unbeaten run came crashing to an end at United's hands, has raised question marks about their temperament.

Chelsea have piled the pressure on both teams, and the responses have been in marked contrast.

Arsenal have gone into the football equivalent of a sulk.

United have won ten and drawn two in their last 12 league games, and their performance against Chelsea last week spoke highly of their character, even if it raised questions about their defending at the highest level.

As in 1998 and 2002, it looks as though the Gunners, for all the southern media hype, are flashing in the pan again.

And with a new ground to buy, they will be relying more heavily than ever on Arsene Wenger's knack of picking up top talent on the cheap.
United's path ahead looks clear. They have an exciting new team evolving around the talents of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, but need to find the right men to step into the shoes of monoliths like Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and, in particular, Roy Keane, in the years ahead.

Keane remains a key figure and his longevity will be up for question again tonight when he clashs with old adversary Vieira.

Keane can still destroy opposing midfielders, as much with his presence and reputation as his ability.

But when it comes to the truly big games, he is not feared, and it comes down purely to how much he still has in the tank.

Last week Frank Lampard and the hugely impressive Claude Makelele both outshone Keane, not something he has been used to as the undisputed king of the Premier League midfielders for the last decade.

If the same happens again tonight, against Vieira, the quest for a successor for Keane will have to be stepped up.

United have other players who come to a crossroads tonight, not least Roy Carroll, with many Reds still unconvinced that he and Tim Howard have what it takes to hold down the goalkeeping position.

Battles within a battle, two managers who dislike each other intensely, and the ignominy of being only the third-best team in England are all at stake. It should be fascinating.

Manchester United (possible): Carroll, Heinze, G Neville, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Keane, Scholes, Giggs, Ronaldo, Rooney, Saha.

Arsenal v Highbury - the stats

LATEST PREMIERSHIP FORM

United: W W D W W

Arsenal: W W D L W

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Dec 1 2004 United 1 Arsenal 0

Oct 24 2004 United 2 Arsenal 0

Aug 8 2004 Arsenal 3 United 1

Apr 3 United 1 Arsenal 0

TOP PREMIERSHIP SCORERS

United: Scholes 8, Rooney, Smith 5, Van Nistelrooy, Giggs 4

Arsenal: Henry 16, Pires 10, Ljungberg 7, Reyes 6

DANGER MAN: Thierry Henry - As ever the French striker is capable of undoing Reds.

REFEREE: Graham Poll - Big name for a big game but controversy does tend to follow him at times.

PREDICTION: Arsenal 1 Manchester United 2
 
Can't wait for the game. :D

I think it will really come down to who wants it more. Last time we met, I think it's clear that United did; we probably played "not to lose" rather than played to win... BIG mistake, obviously. ;)

Today though, I think our players will be much hungrier than they were last time, and I do expect a dog fight. United's defence looks more stable than ours does (I'm admittedly a bit nervous about having to play Cygan with Campbell, as Toure's suspended). Going forward, United have looked good recently, and we're getting back to the form we showed early in the season as well (though our finishing in the last couple of games has been a bit off the mark).

The key players for us are Vieira and Henry (duh). Henry, in particular, needs to be really up for this game... if he can reproduce what he did against Chelsea this season, we'll be okay. ;) Campbell too will definitely need to be on his game and organize the defence... the Cygan/Campbell relationship is generally solid, but we all know that there is often a vital mistake in Cygan which can easily cost us the match...
 
Normally a draw would be a great result at Highbury, and if we get one we'll have to happy enough, BUT if we're serious about catching Chelski, we need all three points.

Dont know if anyone's considered this yet or not but how scary is this?...... The game is so fuelled for a battle - any major handbags and both teams could get points DEDUCTED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can almost hear the Russian giggles from here :(
 
MancFanFromManc said:
Normally a draw would be a great result at Highbury, and if we get one we'll have to happy enough, BUT if we're serious about catching Chelski, we need all three points.

Dont know if anyone's considered this yet or not but how scary is this?...... The game is so fuelled for a battle - any major handbags and both teams could get points DEDUCTED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can almost hear the Russian giggles from here :(
Click to expand...

I have to agree that I think the ultimate winner of this game will definitely be the Russians... :nervous:
 
I hope we win. It might well push Wenger over the edge permanently. :)
 
Yeah I hope we win and a last minute equaliser which is two feet over the line is not given. Jopub and Wenger will implode.
 
The first goal like in all big matches between two teams at the same level will be important. Hope we score first (in the last minute :p )so we don't have to chase the game. Tight one to call.

COME ON UNITED :devil:
 
MancFanFromManc said:
Normally a draw would be a great result at Highbury, and if we get one we'll have to happy enough, BUT if we're serious about catching Chelski, we need all three points.

Dont know if anyone's considered this yet or not but how scary is this?...... The game is so fuelled for a battle - any major handbags and both teams could get points DEDUCTED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can almost hear the Russian giggles from here :(
Click to expand...
Arsenal are more likely to have points deducted than us
 
All joking aside I'm leaving work soon to go to the pub before going to the match. Lets hope we're talking about a great game of football tomorrow not about some incident or another. Am nervous and excited but then again I always am before games against United. Bring it on! :wenger:
 
I think we'll lose this game. I fear a Silvestre speciality.

The key for us is Rooney. They're shit scared of him and I wouldn't be surprised if they put 2 defenders to mark him, so if he drifts to the left and right, it'll open up the midfield to Giggs, Scholes and Ronaldo (if they play)
 
Number7 said:
I think we'll lose this game. I fear a Silvestre speciality.

The key for us is Rooney. They're shit scared of him and I wouldn't be surprised if they put 2 defenders to mark him, so if he drifts to the left and right, it'll open up the midfield to Giggs, Scholes and Ronaldo (if they play)
Click to expand...
Hes played good, BUT Rio has sucked after he got hes hair done. :(

:nervous:
 
Confirmed team:
Carroll
Gaz, Rio, Silver, Heinze
Fletcher, Keane, Scholes
Ronaldo, Rooney, Giggs
 
Johan77 said:
Confirmed team:
Carroll
Gaz, Rio, Silver, Heinze
Fletcher, Keane, Scholes
Ronaldo, Rooney, Giggs
Click to expand...


:smirk: Going for the win then. Think we might be a bit weak defensively in midfield, we need Fletcher to have a solid game.
 
Johan77 said:
Confirmed team:
Carroll
Gaz, Rio, Silver, Heinze
Fletcher, Keane, Scholes
Ronaldo, Rooney, Giggs
Click to expand...
I'd forgotten about Fletch but he has played well recently.
It looks like a sensible side-If fletch tracks back then Ronaldo can feel free to attack Cole. Cant f'kin wait.
 
Great team Fletch deserves his place. Shows we are going for a win above all else.
 
fletch deserves his place, it's good that he plays, but he didnt play since his injury. hopefully he's fit enough. rooney alone upfront, i dont know, could be lost as saha was against chelski. our midfield is much better than arses, WE WILL WIN!!! so, im off to the pub, see you later!
 
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