please log in to view this image English Premier League 22nd Jan 2011 KO: 16:00 Emirates Stadium please log in to view this image Arsenal take on Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in this Sunday afternoon encounter. Two of the greatest sides in the Premier League era that have gone in different directions over recent years. While Manchester United have clamied their 19th league title last year, Arsenal just about got into the top 4. This fixture was the must see game in the early and mid Wenger years but with Chelsea and Manchester City arriving on the scene that is no longer the case. Arsenal have lost both their league games in 2012. Two defeats away to Fulham and Swansea have left them trailing Chelsea by four points and that gap is crucial because it’s the gap between Champions League and Europa League football. Manchester United have also not had it their own way in the league in recent times. They lost twice in a row against Blackburn and Newcastle. But they go into this game on the back of a comfortable home win against Bolton. United trail league leaders, Manchester City three points. But City have a diffcult looking fixture against Tottenham in this round of fixtures. The last time these two teams met, United destroyed Arsenal at home and it was a game that was as painful as any in recent memory for Arsenal fans. Manchester United showed no mercy and scored eight goals. Wayne Rooney getting three, but that was a Rooney in one of his hot scoring run. Wayne Rooney has not been able to sustain that scoring rate but he is still a massive threat to Arsenal. Rooney loves to play against Arsenal, his first league goal was against them back in 2003. Nani is also another player to watch out for. He has had some of his more spectacular games against the Arsenal. Danny Welbeck has started more games then many expected at the start of the season and he scored the opener against Arsenal in the 8-2 game. But, United have also had their problems this season, in goal they have not been stable and do not have a clear number one since the retirement of Edwin Van Der Sar. Also, Nemanja Vidic is out with a serious injury and he is a defender that makes the whole team more solid and his leadership skills are invaluable. They lost Vidic in the game against FC Basle. That was also the game which saw United get dumped out of the Champions League in the group stages. For a team that made the final in two of the last three years, that was a massive shock. They also got a shock exit out of the Carling Cup after getting beat by Crystal Place. But, United have not let Manchester City get away from them in the league and with their experience of winning leagues you would not bet against them pipping Manchester City in the title chase. Manchester United like Arsenal have had serious problems with injuries throughout the season and have been hit with many injuries espcially in midfield. Darren Flechher who loves to face Arsenal has been ruled out for the season with ulcerative colitis. Anderson has had a spell on the sidelines. Tom Cleverly has also picked up serious injuries and will not be fit in time for this game. Arsenal without Thomas Vermaelen are a lost side in terms of their defensive shape and without him they lack a leader from the defence. His loss has been felt in recent times and Arsenal without him are in serious danger against a side like United. Mikel Arteta has not recovered in time and his absence will also be keenly felt. Arteta has brought a calming influence to the Arsenal side and his experience of knowing what to do in terms of defensisve covering has helped Arsenal defend as a team. Theo Walcott did not score a single league goal at home in 2011 and without Gervinho his pace is going to be important. Pinning Evra back will allow Arsenal to take care of an atatcking threat that United normally enjoy from Evra. Robin Van Persie scored his first goal in 2012 against Swansea and he is the one player United will very wary about. Without Vidc at the back, Arsenal have try and expose the United defence if they can get the right service to Van Persie. Aaron Ramsey has been a massive hit and miss this season. He has gone from the sublime to the horrendous. Ramsey scored the winner against United last season and that is Ramsey Arsenal need if they are to get anything from this game. Team News: Arsene Wenger: Form Guide: please log in to view this image Three Key Match-ups: please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Overall Record vs: Manchester United Played: 193 Wins: 67 Draws: 42 Losses: 84 For: 263 Against: 295 GD: -32 Last 6 Meetings: Manchester United 8 - 2 Arsenal Arsenal 1 - 0 Manchester United Manchester United 2 - 0 Arsenal (FA Cup) Manchester United 1 - 0 Arsenal Arsenal 1 - 3 Manchester United Manchester United 2 - 1 Arsenal please log in to view this image Managers Views: Wenger on how big the Manchester United games are My Team please log in to view this image
I think if we get Vermaelen back then we can shift him to the left and have Mertz and Kos at CB then we have a good chance. The problem we have is on the right side.... On another note, where on earth has Sagna gone?!?!?! Wasn't he suppose to return by now?
Physioroom says Sagna is due back at the end of Jan, as is Gibbs: http://www.physioroom.com/news/english_premier_league/epl_injury_table.php Arsenal have the most injuries in the league right now - no wonder form has dipped considerably. I'm in Area 122. South end behind the goal, upper tier
i don't have a normal place to sit, i don't have either the finances nor the time to go to games usually so this will be a novelty!
Our supporters club gets a block booking so we normally sit in the Clock End.The strange thing is even though my membership is used to get a ticket i end up with a paper ticket rather than using my membership card
Now it appears TV and Micky are doubtful too. http://football-talk.co.uk/58465/wengers-injury-update-bad-news-on-vermaelen-arteta/? This is looking to be a weaker side than the one that travelled to Swansea. It is going to be the pits if we end up losing three in a row A defensive strategy has never been more vital.
I think sagna, gibbs and wilshere are supposed to be back by mid-februrary but we probably won't see them starting regularly until the start of march, but i hope i'm wrong. I am really excited about this game in actual fact, especially after our performance against man city and hopefully we will dominate possession better than we did in that game. Especially if vermalen is back then our back four should be able to deal with the aerial threat of rooney and hernandez and with koscielney's pace i can't see united getting in behind us too often. How long is arteta out for? and if he is not available to start on sunday then we should definately go with rosicky in the middle with ramsey and song. Here is my team Scezney Djourou Mertesacker Koscielney Vermalen/Miquel Song Ramsey Rosicky Walcott Van Persie Oxlaide-Chamberlain But i'm sure wenger will probably go with benayoun in place of rosicky and arshavin in place of oxo.
Mind over matter. If only they could rise to the occasion. Keeping it tight at the back and holding on to the ball in midfield would frustrate Utd. Get a couple of early goals and cement that bus across Szcsezny. Lots of ' ifs ' but it's about time we strung it together, injuries or not.
The last 2 times we have beaten them have been when they are the outright favourites and we have had a poor season. [video=youtube;TXfytzv4ZNA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXfytzv4ZNA[/video] [video=youtube;f4Q1YxbEsVc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4Q1YxbEsVc[/video] Of course we went on to lose the game immediately after that but who knows it could be different this time.
Thanks for the vids Robin. Good to relive these wonderful moments. Nasri's goals in Nov 2008 were from the top drawer. I made an almost similar remark to Ian Payne on LBC on the weekend after our meeting with Liverpool. I told him who could say that we might never lose again all season....... Udinese apart, we all know what happened after that. I truly hope the guys go in with belief and commitment on Sunday. Look at the teams who have beaten Utd this season. If they can do it so can we. So should we
please log in to view this image English Premier League 22nd Jan 2011 KO: 16:00 Emirates Stadium please log in to view this image Arsenal take on Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in this Sunday afternoon encounter. Two of the greatest sides in the Premier League era that have gone in different directions over recent years. While Manchester United have clamied their 19th league title last year, Arsenal just about got into the top 4. This fixture was the must see game in the early and mid Wenger years but with Chelsea and Manchester City arriving on the scene that is no longer the case. Arsenal have lost both their league games in 2012. Two defeats away to Fulham and Swansea have left them trailing Chelsea by four points and that gap is crucial because it’s the gap between Champions League and Europa League football. Manchester United have also not had it their own way in the league in recent times. They lost twice in a row against Blackburn and Newcastle. But they go into this game on the back of a comfortable home win against Bolton. United trail league leaders, Manchester City three points. But City have a diffcult looking fixture against Tottenham in this round of fixtures. The last time these two teams met, United destroyed Arsenal at home and it was a game that was as painful as any in recent memory for Arsenal fans. Manchester United showed no mercy and scored eight goals. Wayne Rooney getting three, but that was a Rooney in one of his hot scoring run. Wayne Rooney has not been able to sustain that scoring rate but he is still a massive threat to Arsenal. Rooney loves to play against Arsenal, his first league goal was against them back in 2003. Nani is also another player to watch out for. He has had some of his more spectacular games against the Arsenal. Danny Welbeck has started more games then many expected at the start of the season and he scored the opener against Arsenal in the 8-2 game. But, United have also had their problems this season, in goal they have not been stable and do not have a clear number one since the retirement of Edwin Van Der Sar. Also, Nemanja Vidic is out with a serious injury and he is a defender that makes the whole team more solid and his leadership skills are invaluable. They lost Vidic in the game against FC Basle. That was also the game which saw United get dumped out of the Champions League in the group stages. For a team that made the final in two of the last three years, that was a massive shock. They also got a shock exit out of the Carling Cup after getting beat by Crystal Place. But, United have not let Manchester City get away from them in the league and with their experience of winning leagues you would not bet against them pipping Manchester City in the title chase. Manchester United like Arsenal have had serious problems with injuries throughout the season and have been hit with many injuries espcially in midfield. Darren Flechher who loves to face Arsenal has been ruled out for the season with ulcerative colitis. Anderson has had a spell on the sidelines. Tom Cleverly has also picked up serious injuries and will not be fit in time for this game. Arsenal without Thomas Vermaelen are a lost side in terms of their defensive shape and without him they lack a leader from the defence. His loss has been felt in recent times and Arsenal without him are in serious danger against a side like United. Mikel Arteta has not recovered in time and his absence will also be keenly felt. Arteta has brought a calming influence to the Arsenal side and his experience of knowing what to do in terms of defensisve covering has helped Arsenal defend as a team. Theo Walcott did not score a single league goal at home in 2011 and without Gervinho his pace is going to be important. Pinning Evra back will allow Arsenal to take care of an atatcking threat that United normally enjoy from Evra. Robin Van Persie scored his first goal in 2012 against Swansea and he is the one player United will very wary about. Without Vidc at the back, Arsenal have try and expose the United defence if they can get the right service to Van Persie. Aaron Ramsey has been a massive hit and miss this season. He has gone from the sublime to the horrendous. Ramsey scored the winner against United last season and that is Ramsey Arsenal need if they are to get anything from this game. Team News: Arsene Wenger: Form Guide: please log in to view this image Three Key Match-ups: please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Overall Record vs: Manchester United Played: 193 Wins: 67 Draws: 42 Losses: 84 For: 263 Against: 295 GD: -32 Last 6 Meetings: Manchester United 8 - 2 Arsenal Arsenal 1 - 0 Manchester United Manchester United 2 - 0 Arsenal (FA Cup) Manchester United 1 - 0 Arsenal Arsenal 1 - 3 Manchester United Manchester United 2 - 1 Arsenal please log in to view this image Managers Views: Wenger on how big the Manchester United games are My Team please log in to view this image
