4 things that will decide Manchester United vs Arsenal FA Cup tie

It’s the FA Cup weekend and on 10th March Arsenal will visit Old Trafford to reignite its rivalry with Manchester United, this time in the quarterfinal stage of the Cup. While it has been a completely bumpy ride for Loius van Gaal’s team, Arsenal also have had their own problems. The match, apart from being the cup tie, has another significance – the outcome of this game will give us fuzzy picture of the top 4 of the Premier League. Here are the four things that will decide the outcome of the match –

#1 Injury and bans

Gabriel Paulista will miss the FA Cup tie against Manchester United.

Both the clubs have injury concerns. None of the Arsenal players are serving suspensions, but Manchester United have their central defender Johnny Evans banned for 6 games for spitting on Pappis Cisse. So Phil Jones might be brought back into the starting eleven to partner Chris Smalling. This will see Marcos Rojo being pushed out wide into the left back position. Luke Shaw might also get the nod, with Rojo partnering Jones or Smalling. But since he is having a poor run of form, Shaw might find his name listed in the substitutes.

Robin van Persie is doubtful of starting against his old club. The Dutch striker last played for United in the away fixture against Swansea City. This won’t be a headache for Van Gaal since he has Wayne Rooney, who is in a great form, to cover for Van Persie.

Gabriel Paulista is out injured and Wenger might start with Per Mertesacker in the center of the defence along with Laurent Koscielny. Wenger now has an experienced player, but he knows that losing Gabriel is like snatching speed and agility from Arsenal’s defence.

In short, Arsenal have been affected badly by injuries compared to United. But Evans’ ban has balanced the scales.

#2 Midfield battle

Marouane Fellaini – too much involvement upfront a headache to Van Gaal?

After experimenting with various formations, it seems as if Van Gaal will settle down with a 4-2-3-1 shape. Against Sunderland and Newcastle United, the Red Devils manager opted 4-2-3-1 and bagged 6 points. Arsene Wenger has also used the same formation. The defeat at the hands of AS Monaco was a bitter one, but both Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin, the central midfielders of Arsenal, played well.

On Tuesday, when United meets Arsenal, both the teams will most likely stick to 4-2-3-1. So whoever dominates the midfield region will have more chances of progressing to the next round.

Taking the wide attacking midfielders of both the teams out of the frame, we can make the assumption that it will be 3 vs. 3 in the middle of the field – Cazorla, Coquelin and Mesut Ozil vs. Daley Blind, Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini.

In the match against Newcastle United, as I noticed, Fellaini was making runs into the box rather than staying behind the striker Wayne Rooney. Fellaini likes to play in such a role – “advanced destroyer” – but it only works out when the opposition fields a holding midfielder.

Moreover, Fellaini’s movement towards Rooney will free up some space for Cazorla and Coquelin. Either one of them can move to a bit advanced position to pose problems to Blind and Herrera. This could help Ozil in roaming freely and dictating the play.

Also, Manchester United will be exposed very badly during counter attacks, they were actually opened up a number of times by Newcastle last week but the heroics of David de Gea saved Van Gaal’s side. It is better to start with a more natural No.10 player. Juan Mata’s inclusion in the starting line-up could help.

#3 Welbeck instead of Ramsey

Danny Welbeck should start ahead of Aaron Ramsey.

Aaron Ramsey is back from his absence due to an injury. This might prompt Wenger to start the Welshman. But given that it will be Marcos Rojo in the left back position (who is actually a central defender), Danny Welbeck should be played in place of Ramsey.

Olivier Giroud as striker, Alexis Sanchez on the left wing, Ozil as the central attacking midfielder and Welbeck on the right flank makes a deadly combination. Giroud is quite comfortable playing between the two defenders, Sanchez has the dribbling ability, Ozil has got the skill of creating goals and Welbeck’s pace could only make this combination more threatful during counter attacks. The opening goal against Tottenham a month ago is an excellent example of the attacking players combining. Moreover, that goal showcased Welbeck’s ability to accelerate very quickly. So, the first reason for playing Welbeck is – he fits perfectly into the system.

The second reason is – Hector Bellerin, Arsenal’s right back, and Welbeck can work together to pile pressure on Rojo. In the World Cup 2014 final, it was the partnership of Thomas Muller and Phillip Lahm, that unsettled the Argentine. Bellerin with his overlaps and Welbeck with his pace and directness can crack down United’s defence from the right side of the pitch.

#4 Wayne Rooney playing upfront

Rooney has played an important role in United’s last two wins.

After being blamed of testing out his tactics and scrutinized by United’s fans for playing Rooney in the midfield, Van Gaal has put the English striker back in his favored position. In his 4-2-3-1 system, the Dutch manager has played Rooney upfront.

Rooney, who was performing very badly when played as one of the central midfielders of 4-4-2 diamond formation, has now bounced back with two classy performances. In the last two league games, he has netted twice. He also played a major role in the win over Newcastle United by regularly testing Tim Krul and playing a part in the winning goal scored by Ashley Young.

There are a few advantages of playing Rooney as the striker –

With a playmaker like Mata to back him, Rooney can make defence piercing runs being assured that the player behind him has the ability to pick him up with an excellent ball.
Rooney can drop deep to trouble the young and less-experienced Coquelin.
Most importantly, he is a lethal finisher.

Rooney, who is often criticised for his laziness on the pitch (he easily forgets his marking duties), can play upfront with a clear mind and no such weights pulling down his performances. With hard working Angel di Maria and Ashley Young on either flanks, Rooney can just stay high up the pitch, wait for a perfect ball and do what he is good at doing – score goals.