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What day is it?
Sunday?
No.
It’s Manchester United vs Arsenal match day.
Football fans will understand the importance of this match, the rivalry shared between these two clubs. When Arsenal and Manchester United meet this weekend, for the first time this season, it would be the battle of two good teams with pure, classic football coming out as a winner.
When the last time these two teams met, the match ended in a 1-1 draw. This time, the fans must be expecting an exciting contest between these two title contenders where, Manchester United is being managed by a new manager in David Moyes and Arsenal being managed by the oldest manager currently in the Premier League, Arsene Wenger.
It is always a pleasure to watch an Arsenal vs Manchester United clash; it started with the fierce rivalry between the two longest serving managers in the history of English Football, Sir Alex Ferguson & Arsene Wenger, and the rivaly was pretty much visible even in the club captains, Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane. And it continued with Manchester United successfully signing Arsenal star Robin van Persie.
Arsenal has been in top form this season, losing only once and strengthening their position at the top of table by defeating Liverpool comprehensively last weekend. Whereas Manchester United have had a mixed start to their season under new manager David Moyes, losing thrice and currently occupying the 8th spot in the Premier League table.
Team News:
Arsenal at the start of the season faced several injury crisis, but still they managed to retain their place at the top of the table. Arsenal has been boosted by the return of Theo Walcott from abdominal injury, and Lukas Podolski has also returned to team training. But it would have to be seen whether he is match fit. In the defence, it looks like the pair of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny would retain their spot and Kieran Gibbs returning from injury would start at LB.
Rooney looks certain to retain his place in the starting XI, and Javier Hernandez looks set to make way for Robin van Persie after the latter started the match against Real Sociedad in the Champions League on bench. And Shinji Kagawa could be replaced by Adnan Januzaj in the starting line-up.
Tactical Analysis & Formations:
Arsene Wenger uses a single striker upfront and continues to imply the 4-2-3-1 formation, with Giroud being the lone striker and Santi Cazorla & Mesut Özil trying to provide through balls and assists to Giroud. Flamini & Wilshere will miss the clash through injuries. Arteta and Ramsey would combine in the midfield and it would be interesting to see how Arsene Wenger uses Theo Walcott, who makes a comeback after a spell on the sidelines through abdominal injury.
On the other hand, David Moyes continues to use the 4-2-3-1 formation, but it looks more like a 4-4-2 formation where in both Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney play as strikers and Fellaini and Januzaj entering the midfield. It would have to be seen on the match day, whether David Moyes sets up a proper 4-2-3-1 formation by keeping van Persie as the lone striker upfront.
Key Players:
Arsenal – Mesut Özil and Aaron Ramsey
Ozil and Ramsey have been in terrific form this season
For Arsenal it has to be Mesut Özil, the kind of energy he has brought along with him can only be imagined and envied upon. Mesut Özil has been in top form this season for Arsenal, giving in a total of 4 assists in the Premier League until now, and more is expected to come from the playmaker. However, it would be unfair not to mention Aaron Ramsey. Ramsey is in the form of his life, and his contribution to Arsenal this season is unparalleled. He has already scored 6 goals in the Premier League and provided 4 assists.
Manchester United – Robin van Persie
Tough job ahead for van Persie
It has been a mixed start for van Persie this season. He has scored 6 goals till now in the Premier League. However, van Persie needs to build himself on confidence after missing a penalty against Real Sociedad in the Champions League group stage clash. It would be wrong on part of the opposition to underestimate the quality of the striker in van Persie. It would be interesting to see how van Persie plays against his former club for the third time. Playing at home, van Persie must be looking to score as many goals possible against Arsenal.
Facts and form:
In the previous five meetings between these two sides at Old Trafford, Arsenal has not won even a single game, while Manchester United has won 4 and managed to draw once.
Manchester United has scored more no. of goals, 13 in the last five matches between these two sides, whereas Arsenal has managed to score 6 goals.
Arsenal (In PL): WWWDWW
Manchester United (In PL): WWDWLL
Prediction:
3-1 in favour of Arsenal
