Editor’s note: Two previews of this one, clearly the match of the week and of the season to date. One of our prognosticators is pretty confident…
From live_dont_exist:
Sadly I missed the Sheffield game due to it not being shown live but the Liverpool game told me a huge lot about our side. A bit more luck and we’d have got the three points. Still a point at Anfield is not bad at all. Another biggie coming up this weekend and this always gets me going. Each time I see this fixture put up my mind goes back to that Rooney dive and the Gary Neville kicking and makes my blood boil each time the thought comes. Every time I picture RVN celebrating I feel like puking and everytime I see Fergie’s face I hate him even more. Immature? Maybe but I cant help it — never happened with Chelsea or Barca or Mourinho or anyone. ManU — I hate them. Now that felt good — lets go into unbiased mode now.
There are 4 key battles -
Rooney/Tevez vs Gallas/Toure — Absolutely mouth watering…whoever wins this one will win the game for their side because we are good enough to score atleast 2 against the ManU defense. Flamini will have a big role to play in containing Tevez’s deep dropping and collecting the ball.
Ronaldo/Giggs vs Clichy/Sagna — We will win this one…hands down. I don’t think show pony will do much. He might score a tap-in but his tricks will not work on the wings against us. I think Eboue will play though on the right and give a cracker of a performance.
Ade vs Rio — Can Big Ade step up again in a big game? We will know. Ade is a BIG MATCH player for sure but is in a slump goalwise right now. Can he pick it up? Maybe. But this will not decide the game as we can get goals from everywhere now…even corners.
Cesc vs Hargreaves/Anderson — Is Owen Hargreaves good enough to stop Cesc? Will he try and kick our little magician? Mascherano partly succeeded in restricting Cesc, but Cesc plays so deep that its hard to pick him up…so I think Cesc has the edge.
Apart from this Hleb will get kicked left, right, and center by those *&$%s for sure and Fergie will call it grit and determination if they win but overall I think Tevez is the key here for two reasons:
1.His partnership with Rooney has blossomed recently. Whether he can keep that up is another matter — but as of now they are hot
2.Arsenal haven’t seen Tevez in a quality team
Do we go 4-4-2 ? Or 4-5-1 with Hleb in the hole? I hope it’s 4-4-2 but can the boss start Eduardo in such a big game? I don’t think he will but really 4-5-1 at home against ManU is not great and sends out negative signals — even though it might mean Hleb might shine there. But Theo and NB arent gonna start either so if it’s not Eduardo starting — it means 4-5-1 … the rest of the team picks itself.
Overall very little to choose between two excellent footballing sides…one whom I love and one whom I hate and I don”t know whether its my head or my heart but I say:
Arsenal 2 - ManU 0
From Chadez:
So the second of probably many more “first big test for Arsenal” is upon us. What can I say about this fixture….two teams that are absolutely in top form at the moment and tied on points at the top of the EPL. It does not get any better than this, folks. This is really going to be a good one. What can I say about this fixture that has not already been said. This fixture has a history of producing so many talking points and stirring up emotions. Who can ever forget that late winner in this fixture last season by Henry — that was probably one of sweetest victories ever. Forget Liverpool, Chelsea, Totts and the rest this to me is the most exciting matchup every season. The first one I look for when the fixture lists come out. Has produced so much heartache and so much joy in former years….what will Saturday bring??? I don’t even venture to predict what the score will be…it is just impossible to tell. What is certain, however, is that it will be a very pulsating match! I will probably be catching this action at the Richmond Arms in Houston, Texas…I know where I will be…where will you be at 8:45 EST, 7:45 CST, 6:45 Mountain time and 5:45 for our unfortunate friends on the west coast? At least it’s only 5 hours difference this time.. GO GUNNERS!!!!!!
57 Responses to “Arsenal v. Manchester United - Previews”
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November 2nd, 2007 at 1:55 am
If feeling the same as LDE is immature, then I’m a sniggering teenager in the headmaster’s office. I f**ing hated the ManU team that beat us 2-0 with a) cheating Rooney’s dive and b) appallingly cynical tackling. Poor Reyes never quite recovered. There were the Evil Empire back then. They are less cynical now, but still. It is a debt that can only be settled by Arsenal winning the title back. Beating them twice last year was sweet, but not sweet enough.
I want to see that sickening smile wiped off that slimy hair-gelled show pony Iberian hooker-fiend. And I want the Hunch Back of Notre Tevez and Shrek Rooney left in a heap of frustration.
This is probably the first ManUtd game in 4 years than I have not had butterflies about. It will a battle royal and no mistake. But we have nothing to fear if we show up and play.
My head suspects it will be a draw, dragging out the early debate about whether Arsenal are real title contenders until after Xmas. But my heart is steering towards another 2-1 victory if we play flat-out.
It will require one great burst of finishing from Ade, and some moments of brilliance from Hleb and Fab, and some phenomenal work-rate from our defence. Hopefully we can pick off a corner, or set piece too. We can certainly pin back this Man U side for spells, but now they are on form, with all parts of the team working, it will be some performance to keep them from scoring as well.
I think it will be 4-5-1 with Hleb in the hole, and Theo coming on for the last 25 mins if Rosicky isn’t on song, or ideally Bert coming to steady the ship if we’re ahead. Come on you, Gunners.
November 2nd, 2007 at 1:55 am
Two of the biggest clubs in the world, tied for the lead in the best league in the world. There will likely be 500 million people worldwide watching this match.
Man U will come out guns absolutely blazing to see what Almunia and our back four are made of. If it doesn’t take too long to get our sea legs, and we are not down 2-0 by then, we will be ok, and will get at least a point.
I just can not wait for this — unfortunately I’m going to half to wait longer than most - until a Setanta Broadband replay in the afternoon - I’ll just be in a locked room until then…
November 2nd, 2007 at 2:17 am
I will be happy if we win, can live with a draw, and even a defeat would not be a disaster. Only that…. whatever happens, I hope the one who makes the headline will not be the referee.
If they beat us fair and square, then fair play to them. Yet so often, when comes to this soft of “BIG MATCH”, it’s the REF who grabbed the spotlight, ran the show. As Thompson pointed out, there will be million people around the globe watching it. Two of the best teams in the most popular league of the world, two on form world class teams who comes head to head. And NONE of those million people tuning in to watch the man in black (or whatever colour they wear these days).
November 2nd, 2007 at 3:36 am
I see a draw for two reasons.
1. Arsenal will play one up with RvP out and Eduardo/Walcott not yet ready. This should allow Hleb and Cesc to create more against Hargreaves, but much will depend on Ade and how he finishes. His recent form has not been good but he is known to rise in big games, so we can hope.
2. I am 100% sure that Fergie will look to rattle Arsenal in the first 20-30 mins. We need a strong ref. I read that it’s Howard Webb again. He didn’t see Carra’s foul on Ade, elbow on Eboue and penalty on Cesc. Yet he was brave enough to give a penalty for a hardly clear handball in the Carling Cup game between Man City and Bolton. I don’t think he will afford too much protection for our players.
November 2nd, 2007 at 4:36 am
it’s funny come to think about it - Alex Ferguson was the only one I read back in the summer (among all those football experts, ex-pro, even ex-Gunners) said that Arsenal would be doing better without Henry.
I guess that’s why he’s the manager of one of the most successful clubs in England, while Alan Hansen, Mark Lawrenson the likes will forever be the “experts” who knows none better than the average u and me.
November 2nd, 2007 at 5:40 am
I hope Hargraves plays for two reasons:
1. He’s just come back from injury and won’t be on top form.
2. He doesn’t have much EPL experience and will be forced to cope with Fabregas and Hleb. This will be his first tough EPL match. He will be Manure’s weak link.
The toughest match up will be Eboue vs. Evra. Evra’s a fantastic player. However, if Hleb is out there then Evra will struggle as Hleb is simply too dynamic for him. He’s proven in the past he can’t cope with Hleb very well.
I’m also worried about Flamini getting caught in possession. I guarantee every time he touches the ball, someone will be busting a gut to get to him and put him under pressure. We’ll see how he copes.
I’ve watched a lot of Manure’s recent games and most of the goals they’ve scored have been down to bad defending. Because they have scored, they’ll be confident but if we don’t ball watch, we’ll be fine. If they try and hit us on the break, that’s advantage Arsenal as we’re too fast for them.
I think Ferguson will come looking for a point. Each of the past three season, whenever he’s played Arsenal on the road, he’s looked for the draw. A draw keeps them tied with Arsenal but a loss would put them a potential six points back. He’s no fool. He’ll want to stay close in the table and test our resolve over the long season. If he needs to he’ll open it up at Old Trafford.
November 2nd, 2007 at 7:27 am
“it’s funny come to think about it - Alex Ferguson was the only one I read back in the summer (among all those football experts, ex-pro, even ex-Gunners) said that Arsenal would be doing better without Henry.”
He had sold RvN and won the title.
November 2nd, 2007 at 8:16 am
451 indeed. I think we beat them last season by controlling midfield, this starved Ronaldo of the ball so they weren’t too potent. Hopefully we can do the same this time, which in my mind calls for Gilberto coming back in at the hub of midfield (he would also add to our aerial presence defending set pieces) to bolster Flamini’s dynamic destructiveness and allow Fabregas, Rosicky and Hleb control of the ball.
November 2nd, 2007 at 8:41 am
Let’s not forget Gilberto was suspended for this game last season. And Senderos was in defence for Gallas. The difference last year was RvP. If he was fit, I would have felt confident for both the big games. How I wish Eduardo had settled in like Torres or Sagna.
November 2nd, 2007 at 8:42 am
Rosicky is due a big game. Like Hleb made a major contribution at Anfield, let’s hope he can do it on Sat.
November 2nd, 2007 at 9:06 am
Has Cristiano Ronaldo ever scored against Arsenal? Has he ever had a good game against Arsenal? Okay the FA Cup. Cole and Clichy always had good games against Ronaldo. Even Cygan had a good game against Ronaldo last January (2006). If I remember correctly, Fabregas stole the ball from Ronaldo and laid it on for Adebayor to score our game winner last year. Keep up the good work for us, Ronaldo.
November 2nd, 2007 at 9:43 am
Despite Man Utd’s form I feel confident, which isn’t like me. Even a defeat wouldn’t be totally negative as we’re in a good position from which to bounce back and it will interesting to see how the players react.
Playing 4-5-1 is slightly disappointing because it always seems to limit our offensiveness. If you’re playing that system and the front man is a genius like Henry it doesn’t matter, when it’s Adebayor - for all his good points - it leaves us powder puff up front. Man Utd have a very strong defence too, I would rather see Wenger go 4-4-2.
November 2nd, 2007 at 11:26 am
I said this in an earlier thread but I think it belongs here so I’ll say it again.
My boss is a ManUre fan, immigrating from Manchester many years back. He’s very, very excited about the weekend fixture. He was speaking to me about old Purple Nose Ferguson uncanny ability to build this “new youth team” that is doing so well in the premiership - he meant ManUre’s youth team. While I think it’s true that the Manc’s have a brilliant team I don’t know if I could compare their youth team development with that of the Arsenal.
What actually interested me is that my Dean actually sees Fergie in much the same way that I see Wenger and this new ManUre side in a similar way that I currently see our beloved Arsenal. He affirms that Fergie has developed this youthful new squad which to him is much like Arsenals.
Odd isn’t it. I personally don’t see the similarity in teams but the different perspective is certainly amusing.
I’m looking forward to see who can win this fixture in terms of which “youthful side” has bragging rights on late Saturday afternoon GMT.
This is our sport at it’s highest pinnacle isn’t it. I’m already getting a high level of anxiety anticipating the game.
Go you red and white!!!!
November 2nd, 2007 at 12:02 pm
Damn, this match-up brings such a gush of feelings and memories. Even though the title was not at stake the last few years, I couldn’t forget the past games. So last year’s double wins were extra special.
And to think that Henry’s winner against ManU at the start of the year was the last time he scored a winner for Arsenal against any team. That win meant a lot, even though it left RVP injured.
Robert Pires puts it best:
“What exactly motivated this rivalry in the first place is not totally clear to me,” said Pires, who left Highbury for the more sedate environs of Villarreal two summers ago.
“But I believe towards the end it was all to do with Manchester United’s excessive arrogance and their excessive physical play.
“With each triumph, Ferguson would insist that his team was the best and that never went down well at Arsenal. These things irritate players.
“For any Arsenal player, there are six matches each season that really matter more than the others: the ones against Spurs, Chelsea and Manchester United.
“But United is extra special. It is another step up from the other two. At the start of my time, United had been the traditional champions for a decade and believed they held some kind of power over London clubs.
“Because of that, any victory over United was sensational and one to savour. That is still the case today.”
November 2nd, 2007 at 1:59 pm
ManU is the one team we need to go toe to toe with…and not cower in front us. We must go 4-4-2, pound for pound - we are at home!
Tevez and Rooney are not an aerial threat - so I think Gallas and Toure will have their number - as I dont see how a ground based defender would beat our two CBs for speed or strength. They will probably have to curb their attacking runs though.
Rosicky vs. Brown and Hleb vs. Evra - should ideally see both our players prevail.
Clichy vs. Ronaldo, and Sagna vs. Giggs. Again I think our players here can hold their own.
Fabregas/Flamini vs. Hargreaves/Anderson(?) - I dont know about Flamini but Fabregas will prevail.
Adebayor/Eduardo vs. Ferdinand/Vidic - up for grabs.
In the matchups we seem to have the advantage but I dont think matchups will determine the game. The match is invariably headed for a draw except someone makes a mistake or someone comes up with some magic.
November 2nd, 2007 at 2:38 pm
I already said it this morning but Ferguson’s no fool. He’ll be looking for a draw. It keeps him level on points with us. A loss hurts to bad because it means potentially 6 points back. No way he’s going to risk losing this game.
We match up all over the pitch better than United. Gotta disagree with you Fred in that I always believe match-ups play a part. With that, United have got guys coming back but they haven’t played much football lately. Hargraves, Carrick, Evra, and Saha have been out for some time. That’s advantage Arsenal, boys. We’re at home. We should win.
November 2nd, 2007 at 2:51 pm
It’s funny, living in the Midwest and listening to sports talk radio, everybody is talking about the “Big Game”…..New Enland and Indianapolis……Not in my book!
I expect Almunia to be tested early and often. I think we’ll see the 4-5-1 with Hleb and Rosicky interchanging behind Ade. I see Walcott coming on for Rosicky with about 20 min to go. Let’s see what the kid can do!
November 2nd, 2007 at 3:35 pm
Anyone know who the ref is for this game? I really don’t want to start thinking along those lines but considering that game in 2004, I can’t help it.
But aching for a win in this. And it would be even better if Arsenal can play ManU off the field.
November 2nd, 2007 at 4:13 pm
@SachinG: Howard Webb .. guess we should be happy its not Mike Riley — ManU Fan
November 2nd, 2007 at 6:04 pm
Thanks live_…
Phew. atleast one less thing to worry about
November 2nd, 2007 at 7:32 pm
Been alot of talk about formations around here and I can see the arguments for a 4-4-2. It dilutes our tendency to over-elaborate as well providing a bona fide goal threat in Eduardo. We can play a more direct game and it could pay off big time if we get an early goal. However, it’s risky tactic against a team in Man United who are arguably more clinical than us in front of goal and they could also go on a rampage if we expose our defensive third too much early doors.
For that reason I would go 4-5-1 with Hleb and Rosicky prompting from deep with Fabregas. I think it suits us more and United less if we turn it into a possession game. We have the more patient set of players while United have alot of impact players who want the game to be played in fits and starts. I think deep down they know we are technically superior if it turns “european”. Hopefully, if the scores are even or if we are winning, we can take them down into the trenches in the last twenty minutes and take over. Just like last season. Players like Fabregas and Hleb having a wearing accumulative effect and United may be able to deal with them in the first half but they will struggle to combat their passes and triangles for the full 90 minutes.
So, if we can keep a cool head and gradually drive United to distraction then we stand a great chance. If Vidic gets a goal from a corner early then go with Fred’s plan and turn it into a shoot-out.
November 2nd, 2007 at 8:21 pm
i m with Mazza. as i said before, 4-5-1 is only a formation, by no mean it’s a “negative approach”. 4-5-1 can be as effective attacking wise as 4-4-2, while at the same time offers us more control in midfield.
as far as i m concerned, the key of the game is to control the possession, this is our main weapon this season. If we are the one who dicitate the possession, Man U would find it difficult to hurt us without the ball.
if we play a high tempo open game with Man U, their counter attack game could hurt us.
another important factor is, neither Walcott, Eduardo nor Bendtner IMO is ready to start for a big match like this. And i can see Man U will try their best to mark Fabregas out of the game. When we play a 4-5-1, with Hleb behind Ade. Even if they mark Cesc out of the game, we still got Hleb, he’s equally dangerous and creative, particular in his more central role.
this game we need to play with our head more than anything else. so Hleb and Rosicky will be more suitable to offer us more poise and control.
November 2nd, 2007 at 8:49 pm
i think player for player we match them….their wingers cant beat our full backs regularly…their strikers are “ground-based” meaning our centerbacks would be comfortable with them.
so going 4-5-1 at home is a bit too respectful. Man U will take a draw very happily.
what i fear with a 4-5-1 is that it would be goalless in the first half….then someone will invariably make a mistake and they go 1 up…and then our hearts enter our mouths in prayer. i dont want that again.
i think they will definitely score…the question is can we score 2 goals to win it. we wont score 2 goals in a 4-5-1.
November 2nd, 2007 at 9:30 pm
All the chat is about the outfield duels….what about the goalies? Which one is going to stand on his head, or drop a clanger!
November 2nd, 2007 at 10:34 pm
4-4-2 would be the right option if Van Persie was fit, but I, too, don’t think Eduardo is ready to be dropped in from the start. Wenger is perverse enough to do it - I remember poor Aliadiere being lobbed into a FA Cup semi-final against ManUtd and was clearly not ready.
So given we don’t have another striker ready for it — Bendtner, again, is keen but not ready for this game — we have to pin our hopes on Hleb and Rosicky swooping in to support, and Sagna and Clichy getting down the wings to fire in some telling balls.
This is one of those games where my emotions go see-saw. One minute I think Man U will actually be a little intimidated, given we beat them twice last season. Also now they don’t have the likes of Roy Keane to lead the charge. Another part of me knows that they can be lethal given half a chance.
Wenger’s comment that this Man U team is more technical and less physical is encouraging too. They know they can’t come and be cynical. They have to show up and play.
DannyT’s is a good one in that defeat won’t send our season into a death spin, unlike 3 years ago. If anything, it will eradicate any last crumb of complacency and fire up these youngsters even more. But - down on my hands and knees as I write - victory would be light the blue touch paper time.
November 2nd, 2007 at 11:05 pm
right on so macmac. i think i m more nervous approaching to this match than the CL final Vs Barca a couple years back! as LDE listed there, there was a “history” between the 2 sides, it just add to the spice.
it’s also a match that u know anything can happen. I m confident we can win. but u also know if someone makes a costly mistake a few minutes into the game, things could go very wrong as well….. Or a deadlock 0-0 into the last minute, then the ref fuck up and reward them a penalty… or we hit the post 10 times then they hit us straight back with a deflected goal…. or we score at the 1st minute, and go on and blow them away 7-0!!
ok, i m talking about nonsense, the butterfly been flying around and can’t wait till the kick off!
November 3rd, 2007 at 4:04 am
Cheers SachinG
@Andez: Here’s another link for you to get yourself all revved up with .. a piece I wrote long back …after our Old Trafford win last time….just thot I’d rev it up a bit…
http://www.xanga.com/afc4life/531845421/are-we-back.html
And if thats not enough here you go guys….one of the greatest fucking articles I have read…
http://arsenal-mania.com/articles/2992759/More-than-just-a-game—a-tale-of-passionate-hatred.html
If that doesnt get you started…nothing will…
November 3rd, 2007 at 4:18 am
LDE, I have already had my blood boiled after browsing through some of the other forums. One United fans suggesting this is the “easiest” season for them to win the title. Not to mention all those “u haven’t been playing the big sides… or you haven’t been playing the sides outside of London yet…. or all u have beaten were the sides down in the relegation zone…..” stuffs like that….
been hearing/reading the same thing since the start of the season. I bet even till the last week of the season, even if we are leading the league, our “REAL TEST” may still yet to arrive to some rival fans!
I hope our players read those crap too, that would surely fire them up to put the record straight.
November 3rd, 2007 at 4:22 am
Its a strange thing…against Liverpool both sets of fans are hugely competitive but hugely respectful to each other by and large. With ManU everyone is always ridiculosuly arrogant…hell one guy even said ManU will win 4-0 … 4-0 can u beat that????
But do have a look at those links if u get time…quite good articles…one is mine
November 3rd, 2007 at 4:33 am
just read it, BRILLIANT!!
Like the author, call it disgraceful (as I m sure some would) as anyone would like, that van Nistelrooy miss at OT was one of my favourite moment as a Gooner. And Martin Keown’s in-ur-face celebration in front of vancheator was up there with Micky Thomas’s last minute goal against Liverpool back in 1989!! brilliant!
At that moment, u felt that as if the players behaved like fans, and felt like players and fans were completely united at that split second.
November 3rd, 2007 at 5:43 am
Anyone remember this:
Arsenal are down to ten men and Viera’s off for the rest of the game. Gary Neville’s got down the right a long way to get involved and he whips it in towards Forlan…who goes down under the challenge of Keown …penalty….the controversy hasn’t finished yet…..
And you know who’s gonna take it… Ruud Van Nistelrooy… this for 3 points ..tis to beat fierce championship rivals…this to go top of the table….its Ruud Van Nistelrooy….
He’s hit the bar… HE HAS HIT the bar…can you belive it…but Arsenal need to get their concentration back coz the ball is coming back…Its Keane…towards Van Nistelrooy…crowded out by Arsenal players…Its all over now…
NO the controversy hasnt ended…They’re all around Van NIstelrooy now…(Keown whacks Nistelrooy, Good ol Ralph whack Cuntelrooy, Ray Parlour whacks the despicable idiot…Cole whacks ROaldo..Lehmann gets involved….) .. I punch the air screaming in my living room…. absolutely delighted…and hate ManU 1000 times more than ever….. I HATE MANU .. call me nuts … but I’d rather lose the title than lose to ManU ….
November 3rd, 2007 at 6:22 am
I favor the 4-4-2 because we’re at home and we’ve not been able to score against Manure with only one striker. Even when Ade got the game winner last year, it was only after Baptista came on. Baptista actually played pretty well that game and made a lot of space for Adebayor.
In the second game we actually had Adebayor, Baptista, Henry, and van Persie on the field. Strikers are good. If O’Shea is playing LB then I say throw on Walcott on the hour. Also, Helb should try to get in the box and dribble some guys; maybe pick up a penalty. But who’s going to take the penalty? Everyone knows which side Adebayor is going to.
Rooney has scored a lot of goals this season where he drifts in behind defender like he got behind Clichy to score that header last year. We can’t ball watch with Rooney around.
In the past few seasons, everytime we’ve played against Manure, Lehmann has had to make phenomenal saves; saves that I don’t believe Almunia is capable of. Almunia will get his chance to prove how good he is as Manure will test him today. Man I can’t wait for this game to start.
On the British ESPN Classic, they’re showing vintage Manu/Arsenal games all morning. I guess I’ll try and keep my nerve watching those.
November 3rd, 2007 at 9:38 am
Another goal conceded from near post….. that’s why we cannot afford to get rid of Lehmann.
i think we defended very well the first half, with great discipline, everyone track back. this goal just totally out of the blue.
it’s a real test of the players’ character the 2nd half. hope they will rise to the challenge. Come on Gunners!
November 3rd, 2007 at 9:52 am
yup…another near poster from almunia…..yes, it was a deflection….but am a keeper and i can tell you his positioning was ridiculous. especially given where the ball was coming from. a keeper cant continue to be beaten in the same way all the time.
i KNEW there was no point going 4-5-1…we would just control possession without doing anything with it. adebayor and rosicky dont look like they would score. hleb never shoots….meaning we are pinning our hopes for a goal on fabregas??? wenger definitely got the starting formation wrong.
get eduardo in there sooner rather than later.
ah well, i would be thrilled with a 1-1 draw right now.
November 3rd, 2007 at 10:28 am
Saha and Carrick, good subs for Manure. Walcott for Eboue, maybe not so good. We’ll see.
November 3rd, 2007 at 10:31 am
I agree with Andy Gray with Eboue going off. Wrong answer. Saha made a difference like I thought he might. This sucks.
November 3rd, 2007 at 10:42 am
Gallas saves our balls.
November 3rd, 2007 at 10:44 am
Holy ADDSSDGDGHHTJGKKLYUILYUL*******
November 3rd, 2007 at 10:46 am
exactly Fred, his positioning was awful.
look at the 2nd goal we conceded, Almunia hestitated. either u decide to rush out or you don’t. don’t get caught in two mind. He did that a few times this game, u just had a feeling we were going to concede.
i don’t care how many highlight flim saves he made, he just glue on to the line, and got lot of basic wrong. If we are going to win anything this season, we cannot rely on Almunia. if not, even we break into a cup final, i afraid we would still get beaten by a moment of indecision by him.
And thank God the lineman got a crucial decision right for one!
what a game.
November 3rd, 2007 at 10:47 am
Perseverance…very thrilling game. I hope that the critics are finally silenced.
November 3rd, 2007 at 10:47 am
lol..I’m with you scraps18…just WOW
thank God for Gallas and the linesman seeing it…i was afraid we were going to get screwed at the end there
November 3rd, 2007 at 10:53 am
Phew!
November 3rd, 2007 at 10:53 am
Refs got it right.
Man U just wrote the blueprint of how to beat us. I don’t think there are many teams with that talent, tho.
November 3rd, 2007 at 10:55 am
wenger BALLSED UP big time today.
first he started with the wrong formation, then he removed eboue and hleb who were having very good games. the worst part is instead of replacing flamini when gilberto came on…he removed hleb instead.
when they scored the second goal u could see in his face that he sensed he probably botched the subs.
anyway, am MORE than grateful for the point. its an awesome point. one can win the league by drawing against all the top 5 or 6 and winning the rest. so this is an awesome result.
we REMAIN TOP !!!
November 3rd, 2007 at 10:58 am
disagree fred. AW didn’t start the formation u perferred by no mean he started with the wrong formation.
u give Man U a half chance, they scored. 4-4-2? can u guarantee we win by it?
and with 10 mins left, Hleb and Rosicky’s legs were gone. United made 2 changes as well, and the conceded a late goal, does that mean Ferguson also got it wrong?
November 3rd, 2007 at 10:59 am
Last time Almunia layed united we lost 2-4 after leading 2-1 at Highbury. The second and third goals were goal keepers fault running out of the 6-yard box but doesn’t commit to getting the ball.
Today he did that TWICE. Once he was saved by the defenders, and the second, well, it was almost a replica of the goal Ronaldo scored at Highbury 2 years ago and for me that’s a GK mistake. Evra had no room to shoot and had almunia stayed on the line he might have had a chance to save ronaldo’s shot.
I also did not like our formation, It’s really a 4-5-1 with Hleb tucked in behind Ade even thought on the formation chart it showed 4-4-2 (or a bit like 4-4-1-1). Ade was so isolated up front and with no man in the United box we weren’t going to score…
United was comfortable sitting back absorbing our attack and they countered well. Draw was a very fair result and our squad still needs to step up to these big games and not be too tenative like we did in the first half.
There’s nothing between the two sides but United have a slight edge on composure and experience in their squad. Our kids better grow up quick!
November 3rd, 2007 at 11:00 am
Fair result, although I thought Man Utd was more dangerous.
Wenger got lucky - his tactics were wrong all day. The team should not have started 4-5-1, it severely blunts our attacking capabilities. We just didn’t test Van der Saar enough, if at all. His substitution of Walcott for Eboue was woeful, Diarra should have replaced Eboue and Walcott should have replaced Rosicky or gone up front in a 4-4-2. Evra ran riot when Walcott came on.
The defence looks dodgy to me, lots of panicking. Almunia was rushing out like a maniac, Clichy doesn’t cut out enough crosses either.
Arsenal didn’t play their best, but Utd stopped them playing. Tactically, Ferguson was spot on from start to finish. In the end the game got very scrappy and stop start, Ferguson must be furious that Arsenal equalised. I feel we got away with a draw considering tactical failures.
Man Utd still look to me like strong title favourites, Arsenal are not mature enough. But it will be fun seeing how it all pans out.
November 3rd, 2007 at 11:00 am
Yeah, I know now we need Lehmann back, the 2nd man u goal was totally Almunia’s fault and Le Boss should not have taken Hleb off, he was having a great game. But all in all I expected a draw and thats what I got. So now I can sleep cos i did not sleep all night.
November 3rd, 2007 at 11:00 am
the saha-rooney axis is MUCH better than the “fabled” tevez/rooney.
and i now understand why evra keeps clichy out of the french NT. those his runs are mean and so effective…practically untrackable.
that said, almunia was a bit ridiculous today. he runs out very, very hesitantly which is even worse than just staying on the line like he used to. though its not apparent but a better keeper (eg. Lehmann) would probably have done better on both goals.
why does flamini never get subbed??? he is not that good. sometimes wenger is just strange.
ah, well just grateful for the points. we came thru 2 tough tests without losing…though it would have been nice to win one of them.
November 3rd, 2007 at 11:09 am
Scraps, you got it right. They’ve written the blueprint.
Fred, you got it right also. I was worried about the formation even last week. Ade was playing like he had a strike partner and he should have had a strike partner.
I called the subs being bad for us and good for Utd. That Saha ball to Evra was very “Henrik Larrsson” like. Almunia showed he can’t do the job. I called him out about getting beaten near post since the Barcelona game. And where was he on that second. That’s the difference between a mistake and bad goalkeeping. Man, I’m pissed.
Evra used Walcott. I called out yesterday the matchup being Eboue against Evra. Walcott has nice skills and feet but no fight. We were ball watching on both goals because Clichy let in that cross and Walcott let Evra go. Sure we got the draw but it was a winnable game. I need to calm down. Eboue is getting better though.
November 3rd, 2007 at 11:10 am
@ andez 45: we all know how Man U play, we have all been here before. there is no point outpossesing them and NOT testing their goalkeeper. the 4-5-1 was utterly WRONG to start with.
Man U is not sheffield united or spurs…you cant outpossess them and expect them sit down and cry. they can score any minute because they have a lot of impact players so its BEST you score before they do. And the 4-5-1 looks even worse when the lone striker looks like he wont score even if the match was 200 minutes.
ferguson made positive subs. saha for tevez improved the attack, carrick for anderson improved the midfield and the passing.
November 3rd, 2007 at 11:11 am
Almunia (5) Decision making is very questionable. Kicking was poor, but some of the back passes put him under unnecessary pressure.
Sagna (8) Defended well and attacked well, setting up Fabregas’ goal
Toure (8) Very impressive, made some great covering tackles
Gallas (7) Hard to criticise, bit slow to react for the Rooney goal, but then scored last minute and was unlucky not to get another
Clichy (5) Brilliant late burst for the equaliser, but his defensive play was suspect, bit of a headless chicken
Eboue (6) Gave defensive stability by keeping Evra quiet, was instrument in Fabregas goal, otherwise average
Flamini (7) Had a good game I thought, his passing was more forward than sideways for once
Fabregas (7) Great finish, found it hard to find space - Utd did a good job on him
Rosicky (6) Struggling to find top form, defended well but not at his best
Adebayor (6) Usual workhorse performance, wasn’t much of a goal threat
Subs
Walcott (4) Missed a sitter, although fortunately Gallas finished it off. Didn’t bother tracking back Evra. Did Wenger say nothing to him???????
Gilberto - Came on too late to judge
Eduardo - Came on too late to judge
November 3rd, 2007 at 11:17 am
Hleb (8) Usually excellent performance, wish he’d shoot more
November 3rd, 2007 at 11:30 am
DannyT, it’s hard to play as a lone striker with two CB’s that have the quality of Ferdinand and Vidic. He needed more help and didn’t get it. We won both games last year but we never scored or looked like scoring with only one striker on the pitch.
November 3rd, 2007 at 11:35 am
I know, it was too negative. I can understand it to an extent, but Adebayor is no good as lone striker. I know he holds the ball up but it’s not enough. There’s no goal threat whatsoever.
Away, no problem in selected games - but not at home.
November 3rd, 2007 at 1:20 pm
all 3 or our goals in this two games came rather fortuitously. fabregas’ purple form is pretty much keeping us up right now especially with adebayor, hleb and rosicky being out of form or unwilling to shoot.
i hope we can hang on till RvP comes back or till Eduardo really sparks.
our next two PL games are at away to Reading and at home to Wigan…we must take 6 points out of those. the CL is irrelevant right now given how easy the group stage has been.
And Blackburn away in the league cup!!! That is for January though.
November 3rd, 2007 at 6:38 pm
I can take 2 ties from ‘Pool & the Manc’s at this stage of the season and still be top with a game in hand. Look at our next 5 games before we play Chelski, (A) Reading, Villa, Newcastle, Middlesbrough with Wigan squeezed in at home…there are no title challangers in that lot and we should come out of it with at least 11 - 15 points. The team that then faces Chelsea will truly believe in themselves and a win going into the Xmas programe will set us up nicely.