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It was just three months ago, on the opening day of the season, when Arsene Wenger and his troops were booed off the Emirates stadium by their own fans after a disappointing 1-3 defeat at the hands of Aston Villa. Just after one match played in the new league season, curtains were already drawn on Arsenal‘s title challenge for yet another year.
On Sunday, three months after their opening day defeat, Arsenal will head into Old Trafford five points clear at the top of the table after 10 matches played. Wenger’s men have impressed with nearly every performance since that opening day defeat brushing aside quality teams like Tottenham, Liverpool, and most recently, last year’s European Cup finalists, Borussia Dortmund, at their own backyard. The disgruntled fans and the opponents have been forced to eat their own words.
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Manchester United, on the other hand, have had a slow start to their campaign which currently places them eight points adrift of leader Arsenal in the league table. Apart from being at home, this puts even more emphasis and pressure on United to stop the Arsenal juggernaut in adding one more scalp to their collection.
So what can David Moyes and his men ensure in order to stop Arsenal getting their first point at Old Trafford since 2007? Here are some of the things which the Red Devils must ensure if they are to keep hold of their unbeaten eight match run.
1) Fellaini must win the midfield battle.
Marouane Fellaini is yet to prove himself at Old Trafford since his 27.5 million arrival from Everton in the summer. His performances in the red of Manchester hasn’t been anywhere close to what we have got accustomed to his performances in the blue of Everton. The two foolish yellow cards that he earned in the midweek against Real Sociedad must have further infuriated the fans.
But if there is one match when he can really turn on his game and earn the trust of Old Trafford faithfuls, it is Sunday’s clash against Arsenal. The key to Gunner’s superb form this season is the ease with which they have won the midfield battle against each opponent. And this is where Fellaini can finally prove his worth.
If the Belgian powerhouse plays to his strengths, then he can easily dominate against the lesser physical presence of Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil in the midfield. Moreover, Fellaini has an excellent passing range which he can put to good effect as he drives forward with the ball at his feet. Without ball, however, he needs to be cautious to close down any space that Arsenal’s attackers will be trying to create with their swift movements. This is where his box-to-box qualities as a midfielder will come to the fore.
Recent form against Arsenal also bodes well for Fellaini as his performances earned Everton a couple of draws against Gunners last season in which he even netted a goal at the Goodison Park.
2) Rooney must maintain his top form
Wayne Rooney is the key man for United if they are to open up Arsenal’s defense. The England international has re-captured his top form this season under David Moyes and has been the inspirational figure for United against big opponents like Manchester City and Chelsea. His recent quotes on Arsenal where he has termed the north London club as “chokers” has really added further spice on Sunday’s showdown.
Arsenal are likely to be without Mathieu Flamini at the weekend who has been an unsung hero in the Gunners squad off late. To make the most of Frenchman’s likely absence, Rooney is the man to ensure that the Arsenal’s midfield is stretched. With his constant movements, United number 10 can exploit the pockets of space between the lines to disrupt Arsenal’s shape and draw their defenders out of position. He, too, can use his physical presence against Ramsey or Arteta to shrug them off the ball in the final third.
If he can do this then he will certainly create chances for himself as well as for Robin van Persie. He has been a scorn for Arsenal for over a decade now and he is certainly capable of adding another forgettable evening for the Gunners at Old Trafford.
3) Use the width.
If there is one weakness that Arsenal have shown this season, then it is their full backs. Bacary Sagna and Carl Jenkinson have been fighting it out on the right side of the defense but neither have been able to stamp their authority. And on the left, Kieran Gibbs has been decent but nowhere near convincing. Therefore, if they are attacked with guile and pace, then the spaces on the wings can be easily exploited.
Antonio Valencia, like Rooney, has also re-captured his form from last season and is the perfect personnel to be employed at the right wing given he can do his defensive duties as well. On the left wing, however, United have many options to choose from. Whether they use the pace and tricks of Nani/Januzaj or they use the more direct approach of Ashley Young, who tormented Arsenal in that 8-2 thrashing a couple of years ago, still remains to be seen.
Rooney, again, needs to play a big role in bringing the wingers into play by getting the ball in those little pockets of space in front of the back four and then splaying it across to either wings, which in turn can feed Robin van Persie and Rooney himself.
