'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
A last minute header from Bolton’s Tamir Cohen last Sunday all but dashed Arsenal’s already dwindling chances of a premier league title, but when they play host to Manchester United on May the 1st, it won’t just be a matter of not surrendering the title but the Gunners’ response to the criticism that ‘this crop of players don’t have, what it takes to win the Barclays Premier League’. As much Arsene Wenger might want to justify his footballing mantra, he has been there long enough to know that at the end of the day, it’s a result business and a one-off victory against Barcelona isn’t simply enough returns for fans patiently waiting for their first silverware since 2005.
Trending
Manchester United on the other hand coasted to 0-2 victory away at Schalke in what proved to be one of the most one sided semi final first legs in Champions League history. They are six points ahead of defending champions Chelsea and with just four matches left to be played, the title is theirs to throw away. However, Sir Alex, now a veteran of tense climaxes, having both won and lost the premier league title on the last day of the season predicted there would be more points dropped between now and the end of the season and they would be happy to take a must win situation on the final day against Blackpool at Old Trafford. Dare you might misconstrue it as an insinuation that the Red Devils would play for draws against Arsenal and Chelsea, Sir Alex had expressed his disgust when being kept reminded about these two games ridiculing the fact that people were taking for granted that United were destined to lose these two games. It did happen though in the first week of March when the league leaders did lose back to back matches against Chelsea and Liverpool but those were keenly contested away matches and United had several key players missing. With players returning from injury and a typical ManUtd-like resilience being displayed by Sir Alex’s men over the past few weeks have made them firm favorites to clinch a record 19th league title later this month.
Team news:
Arsenal:
Vermaelen looks set to miss another big game for Arsenal
Long term absentee Thomas Vermaelen featured for the reserves in their midweek 0-0 draw against Man United reserves, but is unlikely to feature in the first team on Sunday although he is more than eager to get his name on the team sheet. Lukasz Fabianski remains sidelined with Wojciech Szcz?sny likely to man the Arsenal goal against United.
Manchester United:
Dimitar Berbatov has recovered from a groin strain that had kept him out since the FA Cup semi final loss against Manchester City. Meanwhile Darren Fletcher is back in training and came through unscathed in a 45minute run out for the reserves in midweek. Sir Alex though has set the return leg against Schalke in the Champions League as his return date.
Key players:
Arsenal:
Will Van Persie's rich vein of form continue?
Dutch striker Robin Van Persie has been in a rich vein of form for Arsenal having scored 17 goals in his last 17 games for the Gunners. Arsenal might well have been going into this one abreast with United had it not been for the injuries to their premier striker, but then if wishes were horses then beggars would ride them. Van Persie hit the post, had a shot saved from 3 yards out and had a stoppage time equalizer ruled out (correctly) for off side last season against United and he would love to make United pay this time round.
Manchester United:
United’s man to watch out is their unsung hero, Ji Sung Park. There is no doubt he is one of the fittest players plying his trade in the most demanding football league in the world.
Park will look to score his third goal in as many visits to the Emirates
His endeavor and discipline earns him an automatic spot in starting lineup especially in the big games and with the possibility of a pacy Theo Walcott running at the adventurous Patrice Evra might well implicate his staring on the left wing for United. In case you had thought the Korean was all about industry and tenacity, you need to be reminded that this is the player who’s scored in his last two visits to the Emirates helping his side to resounding 3-1 victories as well as the fact that his goal was the decider when teams met earlier this season at Old Trafford. Having already scored an important goal en route to the Champions League semi final, against Chelsea, he will be going about his business unnoticed and yet might just come up with the all important goal.
This season has once again seen the brilliant Arsenal as well as the sloppy, careless and even at times the unprofessional Arsenal. Nasri and Wilshere came off age but it’s neither new nor surprising to see Arsene Wenger harnessing young talents, it is just frustrating that the potential never gets converted to silverware.
Wilshere and Nasri: Efforts in vain???
There is a growing belief that this has happened for far too many a season and a possibility of change looms large. That simply adds an extra dimension to this tie if ever an Arsenal-Manutd match needed one. When Arsene Wenger has been criticized for backing his young talents and not spending on established stars and Carlo Ancelotti has been under immense pressure to play the misfiring £50m Fernando Torres, Sir Alex has once again emerged triumphant with his signing of Javier Hernandez.
Will Chicharito have the last laugh yet again?
Defenders across Europe have had nightmares tracking his off the ball movement and his lethal finishing has seen him move up the pecking order above the leading scorer in the Premier League, Dimitar Berbaotv. With Arsenal having no choice but to go all out against United, it will leave plenty of opportunity for United to play on the break and the Little Pea would be looking to make one of his trademark runs behind the defence as he looks to notch up his twentieth goal of the season.
Starting lineups (Likely):
Arsenal:
SzczesnyClichy, Djourou, Koscielny,SagnaWilshere, SongNasri, Fabregas, WalcottVan Persie
Manchester United:
Van der SarRafael,Rio,Vidic, EvraPark, Giggs, Carrick, NaniRooneyHernandez
You can catch all the action from 17:30 BST or 22:00 IST
