Arsenal vs Manchester United!
Once a battle of Titans.
Vieira against Keane. Keown against van Nistleroy. For over a decade these matches were highly competitive and often determined the destination of trophies. Passions were invariably close to the surface and often spilled over like in the ‘First Battle of Old Trafford’ in 1990 and the ‘Second Battle of Old Trafford’ in 2002 not to mention the violence wreaked by the Neville thugs on Jose Antonio Reyes in 2004 which any decent official would have prevented – a match that ended in insufficient retribution for Ferguson in the ‘Pizza-gate’ episode. The Hand of Nemesis is yet to strike Mike Riley for his highly questionable part in those proceedings. It will, one day. Hopefully hard.
When United’s plan wasn’t simply to kick our talented players off the pitch, our threat some 20 years ago often made Ferguson adopt Mourinho-esque tactics, adding defensive players to his line up to suppress our flair and hoping to strike on the break. The ‘kick Arsenal to bits ‘cos they don’t like it up ‘em’ and the ‘rope a dope strategy’ became much more widely practised against us but Ferguson’s United were the instigators of both approaches. Our reduced potency due to financial restrictions and Wenger’s invariable approach of simply ‘playing our game’, meant we increasingly fell into those traps. Indeed, but for Danny Welbeck’s goal delivering FA Cup victory at the Old Toilet, I struggle to recall a match in which we did ourselves justice against the Red Mancs. Even when they were at their lowest ebbs under Ferguson, Moyes, Van Gaal, Mourinho and Smeagol and struggling against every Tom, Dick and Harry, we frequently managed to deliver performances that somehow spared them the thrashing that should have been their lot.
And thus, in the historic trajectory of these two clubs, we come to today.
Two clubs that enjoyed record breaking success under all-powerful managers with tenures of 22 and 26 years respectively have undergone turmoil both on and off the field since the departures of those managers and now face each other in a tawdry competition for fourth place along with a no mark outfit from Middlesex who sadly seem best placed at the moment. United are in a mess under a temporary coach whose instructions to the team appear to confuse them and whose temporary status handicaps his authority in the dressing room. They’ve won 4 of their last 14 games in all competitions and their fans are again mounting major protests at their owners. While watching the recent Liverpool defeat, Neville senior said, “I’ve been watching United for 42 years and this is as bad as it gets! It’s an all-time low! They’re broken.”
It may not matter much but Fred is likely to be absent with a groin injury, as may be Pogba who limped off after only 10 minutes against Liverpool. Varane and Cavani have been unavailable for a while and may still be out. However, United can rely on the sporadic brilliance of some talented individuals who remain on their payroll as they did when a hattrick from Ronaldo salvaged three points against the Premier League’s bottom team. There is no doubt that whatever team they field they will have players who can hurt us if we are careless. I initially expected Rangnick to adopt the Ferguson/Mourinho strategy of conceding possession with a deep block, awaiting our mistakes and breaking at speed to strike through our overcommitted defence. We’ve seen it far too often to be surprised. What amazes me is how we fall into that trap so often.
In goal they will certainly play de Gea who has single-handedly thwarted us on multiple occasions over the years. Expect him to eclipse Forster’s blinder of last weekend. I thought they would probably opt for security and start with three at the back with Maguire, Lindelof and one other, probably Bailly or Jones as Varane is almost certainly still out due to injury. Recently, Wan-Bissako and Dalot have been their wingbacks. However, against Liverpool they reverted to a back four at half time after an extremely poor defensive performance in the first half and did look better for 20 minutes until Liverpool’s third goal. Therefore, I now expect them to line up against us with a back four. In central midfield I think we will face Matic and McTominay throwing their weight around if Pogba has been properly crocked with Fernandes as their most advanced midfielder. Up front is less predictable, given the many options at their disposal. I expect Rangnick to start the perennially pert Ronaldo after his midweek compassionate leave. Ronaldo seems always to have produced his best against us – it’s high time that changed! Rashford, may be asked to continue to play his way out of his slump and will be joined by either Elanga, whom Rangnick has favoured recently or even the hitherto disappointing Sancho.
A tactic that Ferguson might well have chosen instead of a low block with breakaways (I know so little about Rangnick that I can’t gauge the possibility of him adopting this tactic) is to start with a high tempo attacking line up aiming to blow us away early in the first half as he did in that deeply disappointing second leg of the 2009 Champions League Quarter Final at the Emirates. Then they took a 2-0 lead within 10 minutes and we never recovered our poise (I can show you my scar!). With a 0-1 deficit from the first leg at the Old Toilet, thanks to a brilliant performance by Almunia, we believed we could win that tie. That belief was punctured both on and off the pitch within 10 minutes. This recently goal-shy Arsenal team may be even less likely to recover from such a bad start than their predecessors were – though the spirit shown by this team when twice swiftly pegged back by Chelsea this week might give the lie to that suggestion. Will Rangnick play it safe or take a punt on an early all-out attack to catch us out? How will the Anfield drubbing affect his strategy in this game? Time will tell.
STOP PRESS: As I was putting finishing touches to this piece, United announced the appointment of Ajax coach Erik ten Hag as their permanent manager from the end of the season, along with Schteve McClaren as his assistant. Who knows what impact that will have on Saturday’s game? We are certainly used to suffering from a new manager bounce in opponents. However, making this announcement now, possibly in an attempt to placate current fan protests, seems as likely to erode further the current coach’s authority in the dressing room and his attempts to make them play to his system as it is to inspire their players to try harder to convince the new coach that they deserve to be in his plans. Whether it has an impact or not, we have to rise to the challenge.
We are what we are! A young team in the middle of a rebuild with clear signs of progress but also with as clear signs of key areas in need of marked improvement. The most notable deficiency is of course the absence of a reliable goal scorer. Our dream of fourth place being in our own hands has been shaken after a series of disappointing results prior to the Chelsea game. Our callow youths who have delivered so much and raised our hopes so high have been handicapped by our loss through injury of the experience and leadership of our wisest old heads.
After several weeks of unproductive toil, Lacazette was struck down by Covid-19 and finally perforce replaced by Nketiah. The young ‘wannabe’ was pretty unimpressive against Southampton. Although one might raise a defence of ring rustiness given how little he has played this season, the paucity of his second half contribution against the Saints when we needed to salvage the game, made me doubt the wisdom of his selection whenever Lacazette again became available. If it was between those two I would have started the Frenchman. But that thought was prior to Nketiah’s spirited performance and brace against Chelsea. In that game he showed the value of pace up front and his eye for goal and without question, he will, if fit, start against United. Before the Chelsea game, I had even accepted Dr Faustus’s long held and oft reiterated suggestion that Martinelli should lead the line to revive our central attack but that experiment can be put on hold. Eddie has earned the right to start against United and potentially also to join our pantheon of promising young guns.
It was also delightful to watch the return to form of ESR and Saka against Chelsea – what cojones that little fella has! The courage he showed to take that penalty! I love him to bits! As Arteta did in that Chelsea game, I would start with ESR and keep Martinelli as a fresh pair of legs for use as a late substitute. Elneny had an outstanding performance alongside Xhaka so, for me, he should keep his place. I would play with a back four as the White-Gabriel partnership seemed to grow in security as the season progressed, hoping they recover their poise. Unless Tomiyasu has recovered sufficiently to start, the rest of the team is pretty much self-selecting given our long-term absences. I would stick with Tavares at left back in view of his last two performances that hopefully, while neither perfect nor offering the security of KT3, lay the ghosts of his miserable experience against Forest. His presence on the left adds balance to the defence and midfield. Hence my team would be:
Ramsdale;
Tomiyasu/Cedric, White, Gabriel, Tavares;
Elneny, Xhaka;
Saka, Odegaard, Smith-Rowe;
Nketiah.
The Holic Pound, you ask?
That’s still going to Ukraine. All bets are off in this household!
What do I expect? I really don’t know! We have bounced from imperious to lethargic to dynamic over just a few weeks. Can we produce rapid penetrating runs through a pedestrian Manure defence as we did against Chelsea but failed to do in the three matches prior? We clearly have people who can run in behind defences and we have players who can find them. Just do it, Arsenal!
What do I hope for? I hope that we can do ourselves justice against a club that in recent years seems to have sapped our confidence no matter how badly they themselves have been playing. Too often we have failed to gain our just deserts against them. I hope that our players can display the talent they possess. I hope that we can create and take chances. I hope that we can recapture the defensive security that seemed to vanish against Palace and Brighton and wasn’t exactly there against Chelsea. Finally, I hope that we win the damn game! 1-0 will do fine, but frankly, at this point, any kind of win will do.
COYG!
A perceptive review, Bath. You put your finger well on the changeability of this team. It will be formidable once it finds consistency and can score goals regularly.
I, too, can’t judge the impact on the game of the announcement of ten Hag’s appointment. Apparently, the Man U players were told some days ago, and the decision has been an open secret for a while, so perhaps it will make little difference. It certainly doesn’t change our need to take all three points.
A fine and comprehensive preview, Bath !
I would only say that our fate is still in our own hands, even though the grip has undoubtedly loosened. If we win all our remaining games we will definitely make 4th, as one of them is against the Spuds.
And I would condense your wish list – even though I agree with it – to one single item.
I just hope we win. Glorious as it is to see sweeping, attacking football, I’m way past worrying about performance for the rest of this season. Enough wins to get us back in that Champions League, however they come, will do me just fine.
A fine preview by the Madeira bound Bath . We have struggled against United at home but we did thrash them 3-0 with all goals in the first twenty five minutes and Arteta’s first win was against them on New Year’s Day 2020.
I think you’ve got the teams pretty nigh spot on Bath although Tomi was training today . The pace of Nketiah was a potent weapon on Wednesday . Let’s hope he can repeat his success at the Bus Stop . A 2-0
win would be very welcome
If we can beat this pile of old wotsit, and beat them convincingly, I will be very disappointed.
But not as disappointed as I am in myself for that typo. It should read “If we CAN’T beat”.
Maguire likely to be rested . Their chances have radically improved
If Tomayisu feels ok after training he may be back.Our chances have radically improved
Thanks Bath for your highly readable and informative preview, as ever. If Eddie can keep the momentum it just might redeem our late season hopes. ESR repeating that strike, and the continued solidity of the Xhakneny axis would certainly help too. TTG, shouldn’t that be Maguire will be “rested” considering the flak he has been receiving from all quarters?
As solid a preview as I want our defence to be today, thanks Bath.
The score could be anything as you say, but I’ll go for 3-1 to The Arsenal
in the hope that our new-found composure in front of goal will hang around
for another week.
Maguire has apparently received death threats from United supporters and us not in the right frame of mind to play . So they say
Rangnick told the press his side cannot make cosmetic changes but require ‘open heart surgery’ to cure their issues. That would be a first in two senses, I believe.
1. The first time an opposing manager has said his side requires open heart surgery the day before facing Arsenal.
2. The first time that open heart surgery has been attempted on manure.
Enough of the Manchester shit show. Let’s get the three points and put them in the rear view mirror.
TTG@10: Death threats have no place in football — or anywhere, come to that.
Cheers baff, enjoyable and comprehensive preview as always.
On my way, sitting in the ‘holic block today.
Thanks fellas. Hope you all enjoy the game. I’ll be hunting for a tv screen in Gatwick showing the game to catch the beginning of the first half and praying for our victory at 30k feet during the second half.
Nice preview.
Stick a couple on Ronaldo early on.
Believe.
2-0 to us.
UTA.
Arsenal: Ramsdale, Cedric, White, Gabriel, Tavares, Xhaka, Elneny, Odegaard, Saka, Smith Rowe, Nketiah
Subs: Leno, Tomiyasu, Holding, Swanson, Lokonga, Azeez, Pepe, Martinelli, Lacazette
Man Utd: De Gea, Lindelof, Varane, Dalot, Telles, Matic, McTominay, Fernandes, Sancho, Ronaldo, Elanga
Subs: Henderson, Bailly, Jones, Maguire, Wan Bissau, Lingard, Mata, Garnacho, Rashford
Excellent & thorough preview Bath.
There have been too many numerous examples in recent times where Yanited are in disarray and there for the taking but for some reason or another we roll over in an act of unmitigated kindness and play even worse than their efforts. Our needs for next season me@n we must forego this mentality and put them to the sword. Go for it lads and get us another encouraging win – 2-1 to the good guys.
COYRRR
Good call on the team, Bath. Safe travels. Here’s hoping to three points secured when you land.
I wish they’d stop trying to play out from the back. No matter who is in the team they can’t do it. They couldn’t do it under Emery, they can’t do it under Arteta.
Cut it out FFS.
Well, we’re 2-1 up and look dangerous against
their poor defence. Our own defending passing
on the other hand …
We are unnecessarily nervous! This needs to be rectified at half time. We are a better team…just show some composure, please!
What Uply said. Put them to the sword second half.
I know he’s scored, but Tavares is an absolute shambles of a player.
Xhaka!!
Great strike and how we needed that…
Rob coming on but for Bukayo who is limping off…
Should be red for Fernanades – very late and totally deliberate
OM@30. Agreed 100%.
Great result, got rid of them and 3 big points for us.
Good to see Tomi back and hope Bukayo is ok.
That was more nervous-making than I would have liked. The game was too open, and we were never really in control even though the Mancs are a shambles of a team. Had they scored in that spell early in the second half when they were playing well, it could have been a different outcome. Yet, three points secured is job done. Kudos to the team for seeing it through.
Now, come on Brentford…
Similar feelings about this one to the Chelsea game and it feels a bit like we got away with it today, but who cares.
I reckon if they’d scored the penalty they’d have won, but they didn’t and that’s all that counts. We had a couple of full backs today who showed why they shouldn’t be in the team and all the shit on our defensive Y-Fronts* was down to them.
I don’t know how we’ve won two games this week, but that God** for it.
*Trendier brands of under crackers are available.
** Other beings also live in the clouds, apparently where you’re born decides which one you “support”.
Bloody typos. – that + THANK
Hands up, all who correctly predicted the results of our last five games. We didn’t even play well these last two games and yet we won. Big moment today for the X man. He and Elneny both. Funny old game.
Yeah, won two and scored seven after we couldn’t buy a goal for a while.
Rob did a great rock impression after coming on.
I did nail the score today at least bt8 😉
The first 20 minutes of the second half were ugly and we were lucky to survive them. Martinelli coming on for ESR seemed to improve things a bit. Nuno gave me a series of smallish (medium?) heart attacks, and I’m thinking Tomi on one side and Cedric on the other might make us considerably more solid.
ELNENY!
I was waiting for the inevitable equaliser, bt8
And yes Nuno scared me off then. In the end the third goal saved us and we managed more comfortably than I feared.
bt8@39: Arteta switched to a 4-4-2 when he brought on Martinelli, which gave more control over midfield and shut off some supply to Ronaldo, but to my eye, we didn’t seem to settle until Rob came on 10 minutes later, and we played three at the back with Cedric and Tavares as wing-backs. For much of the game, Tavares confirmed Cynic’s view that the Portuguese is just not suited to the PL as a full-back.
I am interested to hear from those at the game about Ramsdale’s performance. He made some crucial saves but also had a couple of dodgy moments, including for their goal.
Ned, I think he had a couple of dodgy moments but I mostly remember a couple of great saves and a great and assured catch from a corner (or maybe it was a cross or a free-kick). Have to see the goal again but mostly we had two defenders the wrong side of Ronaldo which was criminal.
Well done to the lads. Was checking the updates and it was nerve wracking. Great great 3 points.
Thank you Brentford, next round is on us
Thanks, Bath, excellent preview as usual.
We won the second time in a row this week and Sp.rs drawn.
Who would have thought this on Monday?!
COYG
Not a good day for the poxy rivals but an excellent day to be a Gooner. 🙌🏻👏🏼🙌🏻👏🏼🙌🏻👏🏼👐🏻👏🏼👐🏻👏🏼👐🏻👏🏼
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