Arsenal v Manchester United Preview

Arsenal v Manchester United, Sunday 28th April 4pm, Premier League, Emirates Stadium, Sky Sports 1



Premier League

1. Man Utd 84pts (c)
2. Man City 68pts
3. Arsenal 63pts
4. Chelsea 62pts
--------------
5. Spurs 61pts
6. Everton 56pts


Champions travel to the Emirates as RVP returns

As the past month or two in the Premier League progressed, the possibility of Manchester United winning their 21st league title at the Emirates Stadium grew increasingly likely. While that prospect never materialised, the champions' victory against Aston Villa on Monday means that they will receive a guard of honour in north London on Sunday afternoon. It wouldn't normally cause such publicity, but the sight of ex-gunner Robin van Persie being clapped onto the field where he once delighted the home crowd has intensified what Arsene Wenger labelled "one of the traditions of English football."

"First of all I am French and work in England and I want the English tradition to be respected," Wenger said on Friday. "When you work somewhere abroad, you have to respect the culture of the country."

Yet, after all the pre-match fiasco is over, the focus will turn to matters on the field, and Arsenal know that a victory against Sir Alex Ferguson's men will put them in a very strong position going into the final three weeks of the campaign. Worryingly for Wenger, Arsenal's record against the top sides this season has been poor. In the league, against the other 6 members of the current top 7, Arsenal have won just 2 of 11 fixtures, losing 6.

"Last year we did well against top teams, but this year we have not," continued Wenger. "I felt it was a lot down to the fact we renewed the team and had a big lack of confidence for a while in the season. Now we have a good opportunity on Sunday to show that we have made that step so let's take it."


Ferguson set to rotate

Ferguson confirmed earlier in the week that he would give opportunities to those who "needed games". "Javier Hernandez, Danny Welbeck, Tom Cleverley and Nani - it's important to get then involved in the last few weeks," said the United boss. The Red Devils' coach also said Phil Jones would play in midfield at the Emirates.

Ferguson says United have a duty to play with integrity on Sunday. "Having won the league, there's always a danger of falling into the trap of 'it's all over and we can relax' and enjoy ourselves but I think we've got a duty to other clubs who are chasing Champions League places."


Match Stats

* Arsenal and Man Utd have dropped the joint-fewest points from winning positions in the Barclays Premier League this season (4).

* Manchester United have won six and lost one of the last seven Premier League meetings with Arsenal.

* Only Arsenal (18) have scored more goals in the final 15 minutes of matches than Manchester United (15).

* Despite having the best away defence (14 goals conceded), 12 teams have a better home defensive record than the 21 goals shipped by the Gunners at Emirates Stadium.


Team News

Arsenal

Giroud (suspension), Fabianski (rib) & Diaby (knee) are all unavailable.

Manchester United

Young (ankle), Scholes (knee) & Fletcher (bowel) are all out, but Ferdinand & Vidic are both set to return from injury.

Dis gon b good

Spoiler:

Wenger pls

I'm still convinced he'll start Forehead up front.

Sadly, I doubt we'll get the chance to vent at the evil one. Can't see him playing a single minute of the game.

every big game wenger finds some way to messing up the starting line up, and then in the last 15 minutes he will bring on the right players and we will play well while we are 3-0 down -_-

furiouswindbottom wrote:Sadly, I doubt we'll get the chance to vent at the evil one. Can't see him playing a single minute of the game.

I'd rather that than having him score a random goal resulting in us not getting three points .

This line up will counter every thing united have tried in last few seasons against arsenal.

^
it will more or less turn into a 4-4-2 With oxlade drifting into the penalty area.

I prefer vermalean to metsacker because im afraid the pace of welbeck and link up play b/w united co will be better cope by vermaelan.

Sure... Vermaelen's pace was so useful against Yanited last match

And Gervais? Rosicky wide? Please go...

nahh marte is simply better than verm, even though he has more pace, he is simply too error prone atm

Excellent work sam


Hate playing united. For the no 1 reason we can't beat them anymore. They can play Rafael on the wings, O'shea at CB and we will still lose.

But tomorrow should be different. Tottenham dropped 2 points today. A huge huge gift. We really need to make it count and win the match

United have won the league. They have nothing to play for. They will either attack us all game or not care. Former is more likely. But an open game should be good for us.


I would play Podolski upfront. It's his time to show that he is good enough upfront. However i am not sure with Wilshere. Ideally you should play your best players but he is a bit off form and still struggling.

we should go with Ramsey-Arteta-Rosicky and Cazorla. But if Arsene thinks Wilshere is ready then its ok with me.

Would love a win. But might end 1-1 or something

Great job Sam.

A must win game, forget the RIP and lets win the game. Its all up to Wenger to win this, Drop Walcott and start Podolski.

----------------------Szczesny
Sagna------- Koscielny------Vermalean--------Gibbs
-----------------Arteta--------------Ramsey
Oxlade------------------Rosicky----------------- Cazorla
-------------------------Podlski

Spurs dropping points today is good news for us, of course, but we have to take advantage. A win will put us in a really strong position going into the final 3 games of QPR (a) Wigan (h) and Newcastle (a).

Arsenal league record v Man Utd at the Emirates: P6 W3 D1 L2 F9 A9

Arsenal XI in last win v Man Utd (May 1, 2011): Szczesny; Sagna Djourou Koscielny Clichy; Song Wilshere; Walcott Ramsey Nasri; RvP

Ready for the rape

Just smash 'em.

If we are losing 2-0 with 5 minutes left, the team should attack Judas and give us something to smile about.

i hope we first look to stay solid at the back and then will get our chances
interesting that both teams have collected most point and dropped fewest when in winning position and taking the lead

hopefully with Arteta-Aaron duo we can skip pressure and be less predictable when play from the back

i think Gerv will get the nod up top i fear this could one of those if Theo plays centrally he might touch the ball very few times and not much involved

and i see no reason to break Mertescielny partnership

COYG

nice preview...
leaving aside how will fans welcome RIP back, it will be interesting to see todays lineup..
i will go with..
the quality of Man United attack is vastly superior to us.. RIP/Rooney just needs a chance anywhere in the box and we will be one down.. we havent looked good on the attack in the last few matches.. but we just need to play our possession game, score the first goal rather than trying to avoid the first and hope that they have an off day.. there is no way we are winning this defending like we have won the last few games.. and if they play Jones on the mid and press it will be too difficult for us.. hope Wilshere is back to the best.. and only player who i am confident is a fully fit Rosicky.. and i wont be surprised if Cazorla has another anonymous game against a team with better defence, an in form Carrick and tough Phil Jones...