The Big One - Manchester United vs Arsenal - Tactical Breakdown

Here it is, the one that we have all been waiting for - League leaders Arsenal travel to Old Trafford to face the defending Champions Manchester United. This used to be the most anticipated Premier League fixture in the late 90s and early 2000s. When the fixture list was announced, the first dates everyone would check was of Manchester United vs Arsenal. However, in recent years, the Vieiras and Keanes and have walked away and there has almost been a friendliness between Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson (both of them uniting forces to fight the invasions from oil rich clubs like Chelsea and Manchester City). Both went from not even meeting each other’s eye to sharing a private telephone conversation for the transfer of a player (Robin Van Persie). Much of this can be owed to the fading away of Arsenal as a force in English football. However this year , Arsenal are back and are sitting pretty atop the Barclays Premier League and are gunning for Manchester United’s title. This time, it proves to be a test of Arsenal’s credentials as well as Manchester United’s mettle after a difficult start. Lose here and the press will start pressurising Arsenal by questioning their big game skills. A loss for Moyes would simply be unimaginable . A draw would suit Arsenal more.

TEAM NEWS

Manchester United

The huge boost for Manchester United is that Michael Carrick is back after missing the last two games. The midfielder is expected to start alongside Tom Cleverley. Jonny Evans and Rafael provide the major headaches for David Moyes. Evans in particular is crucial because a pairing of Ferdinand and Vidic is no longer feasible these days. Man City’s nimble footed attackers tore the duo apart and Moyes will be hoping Evans can pass a late fitness test. Adnan Januzaj is expected to make his first appearance against a big team but Moyes might choose the work rate of Welbeck instead. £27.5 million man Marouane Fellaini might not even make the bench.

Arsenal

Alex Oxlade Chamberlain and Lukas Podolski are surely out along with long term absentee Abou Diaby. Theo Walcott might recover in time to make the bench. A toss up between Tomas Rosicky and Jack Wilshere is set to happen. The Englishman might just have the edge considering his ability to win the ball in midfield (and Manchester United’s lack of it). Thomas Vermaelen’s spell in the bench is set to continue. The Belgian is said to be concerned about his national team spot.

EXPECTED LINE UPS

Manchester United - De Gea, Jones, Evans, Vidic, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Cleverley, Januzaj, Rooney, Van Persie

Subs - Lindegaard, Smalling, Nani, Kagawa, Giggs, Welbeck, Hernandez

Arsenal - Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Arteta, Ramsey, Wilshere, Cazorla, Ozil, Giroud

Subs - Fabianski, Vermaelen, Jenkinson, Monreal, Gnabry, Rosicky, Bendtner

MANAGER’S MIND

David Moyes has been favouring the old fashioned 4-4-2 here and it might just work to his advantage here. The likes of Gibbs and Sagna don’t like a direct challenge at them which Valencia and Welbeck/Januzaj are likely to provide. The Arsenal full backs are more comfortable with slower widemen who tend to drift inside and might have the advantage if Kagawa starts. And Patrice Evra’s bursts forward will be a real menace

Arsene Wenger’s 4-2-3-1 has nearly everything . Intelligent little men who make runs between channels. But their only problem is lack of outright pace. Patrice Evra in particular leaves a lot of space behind and Wenger would have been happier if he had Theo Walcott running at Evra.

KEY MEN

Manchester United - Who else but Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie? The striking duo have proved time and again in the Premier League that lack of midfield can be made up with moments of brilliance. Rooney in particular has been an absolute thorn in the flesh of Arsenal. His first goal came against the Invincibles Arsenal for an Everton team managed by David Moyes. Watch out for the intelligence of the under-rated Carrick and the ball winning ability of Jonny Evans in defence. Chicharito Hernandez from the bench will be a real menace.

Arsenal - Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey have been beyond brilliant. The Welshman in particular has mixed Gerrard’s love for the big occasion with Lampard’s uncanny ability to find the back of the net. The Welshman has already scored a winner for Arsenal against United a couple of seasons ago. There is the centre forward play of Olivier Giroud which has largely gone unnoticed. The big Frenchman’s link up play has been brilliant. And Per Mertesacker
in central defence has been a colossus

WHERE IT CAN BE WON

Manchester United - As always, Manchester United should aim to win it in the wide areas. They can run at Arsenal’s full backs because the Arsenal system doesn’t have a winger protecting his full back

Arsenal - Centre of midfield. Two men against three in the centre with two of the Arsenal midfielders (Ramsey and Wilshere) much more mobile than Manchester United’s midfielders. But Wayne Rooney dropping deep can be a problem.

PREDICTION

Manchester United 1—- 0 Arsenal. The Old Trafford outfit will be just a tad more desperate than Arsenal. As stated above, not even a draw can do for Moyes. The winner? Robin Van Persie.