Preview: Arsenal vs Manchester United

Both managers will be demanding a response from their teams

Who suffered the most embarrassing setback over the weekend—was it Arsenal, who were obliterated at Anfield, or was it Manchester United, whom Fulham held to a draw at Old Trafford? On its face, the hammering that Liverpool gave to Arsenal looks to be the worst of the two. As we prepare to square off on Wednesday, a quick contrast of the two matches might offer some insight.

Of course, on the one hand, we have Arsenal, victims of one of the most intimidating offensive displays in recent memory. A goal conceded before the first minute was out. Another eight minutes later. Two chances wasted. By the 19th minute, the scoreline was 0-4, and the away-fans could be forgiven for checking their watches and wondering about the trip home.

However, a trip to Anfield, where Liverpool are almost as dominant as Man City are at the Etihad, was always fraught with peril. Whether the scoreline was 1-5 or 0-1, we dropped three points for the first time since our December trip to the Etihad, a span of eight matches.

Manchester United vs Arsenal earlier in the season

On the other, we have Man U who, despite launching 82 crosses into (or in the vicinity of) Fulham’s penalty area, conceded a stoppage-time equalizer at home to Fulham, a club that has been in the drop-zone for all but three match-days since November. It would stand out as a shocking result had it not come as part of a broader pattern that has seen Man U fail to win consecutive matches in its last ten outings—in fact, they’ve only won two matches from those last ten.

In that context, a home-draw to Fulham might have damaged Man U’s hopes more than an away-loss to Liverpool has damaged Arsenal’s. Man U now sit 7th in the table, six points off the pace for a European League spot; Arsenal still sit 2nd, just a point behind league-leaders Chelsea.

There are two ways to think about this one, the optimist’s and the pessimist’s. Let’s get the pessimist’s point of view out of the way: Arsenal are so shell-shocked and so in thrall to Man U that we’ll falter yet again as Saturday’s thrashing revives memories of the 8-2 beatdown.

To sway this mind-set away, let’s indulge the optimist’s point of view. First, remember how fragile that squad was on that day and all season-long. Now, realize this is not that squad. Those looking for shell-shock can look to our responses to the Aston Villa and Man City losses, results that should have shattered our spirits. After losing to Aston Villa, we reeled off ten wins in our next twelve matches. After the loss to Man City, eight wins in our next ten.

There is a resilience in this squad that we haven’t seen in recent seasons. The converse seems true of Man U. Each setback seems to demoralize them further, and they seem less willing to fight or to grind out victories.

It is therefore incumbent upon us to shake off the mesmerized paralysis that seems to set in when we face Man U. They are not as bad as their record suggests, and not nearly as good as their history insists. They are a squad of the ageing and the aged, the young and the callow. For as spotty as our recent record against has been, we’ve gifted them goals far too often, and that’s a trend I see ending on Wednesday.

A win on Wednesday might not be as epic as some of the great Arsenal-Man U matches of the Ferguson era, but it would symbolize Arsenal’s ascendancy towards the top of the Prem.

On a separate note, please remember that a planned, 48-hour rail strike will likely disrupt travel to and from the match. Please consult the Arsenal home page for more detail.

Last Three Meetings

• Man U 1-0 Arsenal (10.11.2013)
• Arsenal 1-1 Man U (28.04.2014)
• Man U 2-1 Arsenal (03.11.2012)

Factfile

• Manchester United have the best record against Arsenal (87 wins, 47 draws, 73 losses).
• Manchester United are down 21 points from this matchday last year; Arsenal are up 14.
• Arsenal have not lost consecutive Prem matches since 20 January 2013.
• In the last 15 minutes of matches, Arsenal has scored more goals (18) than any other Prem team

Injuries

We will of course continue to go without Walcott (ACL) or Diaby (ACL). In addition, Sanogo (back), Kallström (back), and Ramsey (hip/thigh) look to be unavailable. Thomas Vermaelen looks ready to return but is unlikely to start.

Man U looks to be without Cleverley (knock), Fellaini (groin), Jones (concussion), Evans (calf/shin), Ferdinand (knee), and Nani (hamstring).

Possible Starting XI

Szczesny; Gibbs, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Sagna; Arteta, Rosicky; Cazorla, Ozil, Gnabry; Giroud.

For a fixture as loaded with symbolism, history, and pride as this, expect a taut affair as Man U’s players reach down deep to revive their flagging fortunes.

Goonersphere’s Prediction

Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United