It seems that the arc of Premier League era Arsenal vs. Manchester United rivalry through time is now entering a new unique phase, which even though it may never trace the memorable locus characterized by the feverish intensity of Wenger’s Highbury years, will nonetheless help to define the next stages of these two great clubs’ respective evolutions. Two great clubs that have been thrown into the morass of mediocrity since the departure of their best ever managers, two great clubs that are now trying to fight their way back into the prominence of their heydays, the memories of which still fuel the imagination and appetite of their fan base.
While the current league table has Manchester United 7 positions above and 10 points ahead of Arsenal, the teams will go into the weekend’s marquee match without any firm favorites. That is not only because in this most egalitarian of seasons, in the most egalitarian of leagues any result is possible, but that the qualities on display by each of these two teams in the recent matches do not demonstrate any vast superiority of one over the other. Manchester United definitely had a much more consistent run of results since their 0-1 loss at home to Arsenal – rightly celebrated by the Goonerverse given the rarity of Arsenal away league wins at Old Trafford – whereas afterwards Arsenal went on a tailspin of poor performances and poorer results that had people – and even a few pundits – suggesting a potential relegation battle. Since then, Mikel Arteta has steadied the ship, and brought in a more dynamic and creative approach to the matches inspired significantly by Arsenal’s young talents who all took their opportunities with open arms and pushed their more illustrious bandmates to the substitutes bench, and now have us on a positive run of results that brought us back to a league position from which a European place is still well within reach. Difficult, but not implausible.
The last time Arsenal did a “double” over Manchester United in the league was our first season at the Emirates, 2006-2007. On 17th September 2006 away at Old Trafford a young Arsenal attacking midfield of Fabregas, Hleb and Rosický (with Gilberto sitting deep) impressed with the verve and imagination that will come to characterize their times at the club. Very late in the match, Cesc picked Christiano Ronaldo’s pocket, glided through the midfield and set up the new boy Adebayor for a famous winner. On the return match back at the Emirates on 21st January 2007 Henry was back from injury, and so was Robin Van Persie, and they both scored in a memorable come-from-behind 2-1 victory with Henry scoring the winner in the dying minutes with a thumping header from a perfect cross by Eboue after a lovely combination play between Fabregas, Rosický and Eboue on the right. The equalizer too had earlier involved another flowing move down the right with Rosický sending in a cross that Henry tried to flick in, and RVP ghosted in at the near post for a trademark left footed into-the-roof-of-the-net finish.
Since then, we haven’t managed to put two league wins in a season against the old enemies simply because we didn’t manage to win away at Manchester United. Until this season, of course, when that 14 years long wretched streak came to an end thanks to captain Aubameyang’s penalty. That win away at Old Trafford was however built less on attacking fluency but more on a robust, dynamic and matured midfield display with the summer signing Thomas Partey justifying completely all the excitement around his arrival. Two of his most noticeable qualities that I think had instant impact on the team are his ability to make his central midfield partner play at a higher level than they usually do, and a directness and verticality that have been lacking from our midfield since the days of Santi Cazorla and Rosický. Partey was substituted in the second half in our last league match at Southampton and let us hope that was simply as a precaution especially given his recent muscle injuries.
Manchester United’s away form has been superb in the recent months and despite their dispiriting loss at home in their last match against Sheffield United they will come into the game with confidence. Not only have they been winning away consistently, but they have also won a few times after conceding the first goal. This consistency has propelled them up the table and now they are being considered to be a serious title contender.
One of the more pleasing aspects of our recent run of good results was that we started brightly in all of these matches and tried to impose ourselves whenever possible. That positivity and courage have paid off. Knowing full well that there will be stretches of the game when we will have to defend with great tactical discipline and with everyone behind the ball, we must make our turns at possession and dominance count. Just when it had seemed Aubameyang and his infectious smile had finally shaken off the rare dry patch, a family emergency – which thankfully has since been resolved – rightly needed his attention. Even though he seems to have returned to London, considering the travel protocols, it is unlikely he will start the weekend’s match.
In our captain’s absence the left side of the attacking trio remains a question. Even though Nicolas Pépé started on the left, played well and scored a good goal at the St. Mary’s, my choice will be Gabriel Martinelli whose non-stop pressing and constant movements drifting in and out can be a big plus in a match where forced turnovers in transitions can be a productive way of overloading our attack effectively. Lacazette, Emile Smith-Rowe and Bukayo Saka should continue their growing understanding. If ESR needs a break (let us hope not) I would like to see Saka playing in that role with Pépé starting down the right, but Mikel will most likely start Willian in that case. The winter loan signing, the Norwegian prodigy Martin Ødegaard, may find the match coming too early for him to take an active part. But over the course of the rest of the season I think the most natural alternative – though not quite like-for-like – for ESR should be Ødegaard.
Speaking of winter transfer business, much credit is due to Edu, Mikel and the club for the efficiency with which they executed much of what was necessary, both outgoing and incoming. Whereas Ødegaard’s inclusion got the headlines, signing of a highly capable and experienced goalkeeper in Mat Ryan to back up Leno was definitely the one that helped the more astute of the fan base (and one suspects Mikel as well) to sleep better.
A suitable left back understudy for the magnificent Kieran Tierney is probably a pending piece of the remaining business, but Cedric’s performance in that position away at Southampton will give Mikel some comfort if that doesn’t happen. Based on current performance Cedric, if he doesn’t need to deputize for Tierney again, will probably deserve the right back position ahead of Bellerin. Let us hope our incomparable Scotsman is back fit to torment the United right flank all throughout the match.
I suspect Mikel will keep the Luiz-Holding partnership. Pablo Mari’s injury was most unfortunate as he was playing with a composure and poise that has never been Luiz’s forte, though on his day he can be imperious and also a great attacking outlet. Gabriel had started the season excellently and was by far our best player for the first months, but one suspects since the Covid19-enforced time off he might need a little while to get back to his best, especially given this is his first season in English football.
This is my predicted line-up based on what has been publicly made known about the state of the squad and based on my assumption that Partey, ESR and KT are all fit.
Leno
Cedric – Holding – Luiz – Tierney
Partey – Xhaka
Saka – ESR – Martinelli
Lacazette
If Auba can play he will slot in for Gabigoal. And if KT still needs a bit of time Cedric will start down the left and Bellerin in his customary position.
As always this is a hard match to predict. I am hoping for a hard-fought but controlled 2-0 win, with Mikel tactically outmaneuvering his opponent and the team able to execute the game plan.
Come on Arsenal!
