please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Venue: Emirates Stadium Saturday, November 22nd= 2014 KO Time: 17:30 BST please log in to view this image Head to Head Against Manchester United: Played: 208 Wins: 73 Draws: 48 Losses: 87 Goals For: 284 Goals Against: 315 Goal Difference: -31 Last 6 Meetings: Arsenal 0-0 Manchester United Manchester United 1-0 Arsenal Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United Manchester United 2-1 Arsenal Arsenal 1-2 Manchester United Manchester United 8-2 Arsenal please log in to view this image Starting XI: please log in to view this image
Apparently a hamstring - thats what he said in today's press conference. No idea what is happening with Kos the boss though - wasnt he supposed to be back after the international break?
With this many injuries and the defensive frailties of both team's, usually I would go against the pundits and suggest a cagey affair, a dull game where both teams try to avoid being beaten, and it ending in a draw..... ...Then I remember it's LVG in charge for us and he only has one style which is to attack. Arsenal I'm sure will respond to that, and therefore I think it will be an open game with plenty of chances. Just depends if either team's attacks will take their chances, BUT IF it does click for someone this could be a goalfest.
Massive game this. Our recent record against Utd is woeful and we need to put it right. We had the opportunity last season and blew it both times, so I'm really hoping that we go into this game with the sole intention of making sure we come away with 3 points. Utd are there for the taking and it will be a massive shot in the arm in terms of confidence if we can beat them, so much so that I think it could spur us on to a long unbeaten streak if we win. Big blow that Walcott is out, but good to have Arteta and Giroud available again.
Sorry about the lack of a thread. Been sick for the past couple of days. Will try to have it up before tomorrow
I have no idea who we will have in defence but think this may end up a score draw (2-2). Will be interesting up front with RVP and Welbz playing against their former clubs in a position they have just spent the last two seasons trying to claim as their own at the same club.
If our attack click (which they should do at some point) then we have the potential to tear you a new one. The trouble is we look have looked just as shaky at the back too. It's a really unpredictable and very hard to call how this one is going to pan out. We are both a bit **** at the moment, but at least that should make for an interesting game
I'd like to see Wilshere in a holding role for us at some point. Against United probably isn't the best time, but he was immense there for England (granted he didn't really have to do any of the defensive side)
I still think with our current lineup a diamond is the way to go. Flamini is useless and it gives us more numbers down the middle. Makes the best use of our current squad IMO -------------------Szcezney-------------------- Bellerin----Chambers----BFG----Gibbs -------------------Wilshere-------------------- ----Chamberlain-------------Ramsey----- --------------------Carzorla-------------------- ----------Sanchez--------Wellbeck---------
I'd go for: --------Szcz------- Bellerin--chambers--mert--Gibbs -------Arteta---Wilshere----- Oxocube----Sanchez----Cazorla -------------Welbeck-------- Subs: Martinez, monreal, Ramsey, Rosicky, Walcott, Podolski/Campbell, Giroud With oxo, Sanchez and Cazorla swapping positions throughout. Campbell or podolski depending on how they look in training. And with Ramsey comming on for the last half hour to keep things energetic in the middle. I wouldn't even have flamini on the bench how he is playing at the moment. Though I expect monreal will play at CB and chambers at RB. Which is irritating me no end.
The pundits are trying to play down the importance of today's game. I know it doesn't have the same intensity as the Vieira/Keane years, but I think it's a massive game today. A win could really give us the impetus to go on a long unbeaten run and would get the monkey off our backs about our poor record against Utd and the big teams in general.
We are going to need to be on form for this game. We almost always come short against Utd bar the odd result and with there shaky back four and average season start now is as good a time as any to start registering wins. If our passing is accurate today we should control the midfield battle and our front line should scare there defense. They may try and play a more defensive shape to counter the pace we have going forward but with van gaal they may just go for it in which case it could be quite a high scoring game. With di Maria, mata, rvp, Rooney they have a selection of very talented players who can all make something happen on there own if they are in the mood for it! Regardless of how well or poorly they play they will be capable of getting goals against any team in the league with the talent they have at there disposal. So I think it's going to be important to score more than one today.
Can't see Van Gaal setting them up any other way than to attack, he's even more single minded that Wenger on his formation and tactics. It should suit us to be honest as it will leave gaps in their defence. I just think we need to play quick and incisive football today. It doesn't matter if it all doesn't come off, but as long as we're creating chances. What I don't want to see is us dominate possession by simply passing sideways and backwards, then getting hit on the counter, because they have players who could destroy us if we get bunched up in their half and then lose the ball.
I think controlling the possession will be very important in this game. Utd don't have the players to play that way and will try and hit us every opportunity they get, if we are too inpatient we will leave space for there players to have chances and I don't fancy giving rvp many of them! If we can keep the ball and suffocate the supply by dominating the midfield then they will struggle. What I don't want to see is us then not using that possession. It's a good tactic to stifle the opponent but we need to get the balance right and make sure we are creating chances and taking shots when the opportunities arise. Don't over pass it when the space appears, just take the chance. If we are too open and offensive and turn the ball over regularly then they will get too many chances and I'm not confident in our defense at the moment. I completely agree about the pace of the passing. We need to move the ball around quickly and with purpose, switching it fast rather than with several passes etc... To avoid all standing around waiting for the pass in there half of the pitch. We will have to be very disciplined about not over committing men forward or we will concede goals.
