EPL 18/19 - Arsenal vs Manchester United

OK, here we are. It's 30th match day and two of the most decorated English clubs will meet in what it could be one of the most important games of the season. It's not just another game, it's not a usual Arsenal vs Manchester United and that's because both teams are fiercely fighting for an UCL place, trying to heal some wounds from the past that are still bleeding. It may not be the same rivalry as it used to be 15-20 years ago, but it definitely is a game that will get the attention of many football fans all over the globe.

Arsenal and Man United are going through a similar process, a process of reconstruction, of rebuilding or replacing what was lost when their former unique and fabulous managers left their positions at the club, after decades of great performances and beautiful attacking football. Both teams are struggling to find their way while Liverpool, City and Spurs seem to be much more consistent and a few steps ahead. But this is exactly what animates this derby so much, the pain and the failures of the recent times affected the pride of these teams at their core, the players and the fans.

Many will probably consider I'm hyping this one too much, or maybe they'll say this doesn't really deserve this level of attention, but ask any Arsenal or United fan, they know how big this is for their respective teams and there's no need for further reasoning for a thread like this.

Emirates might not be Highbury in terms of that special feeling and atmosphere the latter used to have, but it certainly has a unique and very passionate crowd every time they face Man United, whether it is a league game or a cup game, it doesn't matter. Being relatively close to the end of the season makes this a high pressure duel and of maximum importance because of the mental impact it will have for the winning side, not just because of the 3 points.

I can't really predict a line up for Man United, because we don't even know for sure who will be 100% fit for this match, but I want to say some words about Arsenal and what I fear the most about them. Even though they are not going through an excellent period, what they always did well and what they like do to against us is to put high pressure and go forward with as many players as possible when they get the chance. It's very risky and it cost them the FA Cup game because they weren't able to penetrate our defense and let themselves exposed for our unbelievable counter attacks led by Pogba, Sanchez, Lingard, Lukaku, Martial and Rashford. But, now we miss Lingard and Martial is coming after an injury, Rashford hasn't been 100% fit for weeks and Lukaku will probably be a little bit tired considering he's not known for having lots of stamina and how much he played recently.

Aubameyang is one that I fear, but Lacazette is the most dangerous player from Arsenal in my opinion and thing is that I don't trust our current available players with being able to pass as well as we did previously against the London side when we played counter-attacking football. This means we could be overwhelmed by the pressure Arsenal likes to put and I can't imagine them sitting deep and letting us play much with the ball. Emery will go hard at us and they'll probably want to learn from our past opponents' mistakes and score first instead of letting us taking advantage soon in the game. So, Ole must come with some tactical ingenuity if we won't be able to actually use Herrera and Matic from the first minute, because we're not really known for having defenders who are able to pass well and control the ball comfortably. Playing long balls is not an option if we really want to say about ourselves that we truly changed and that we do aspire to something more than a mediocre performance in such a difficult away game, in contrast to what we were used to in Mourinho's time.

Arsenal is missing Torreira, Bellerin, Welbeck and Holding. Torreira may not be one of the greatest performers of this season for Arsenal but they are very shaky in the defensive side of their midfield and that's probably the weakest spot of their team. It's very important to find a way to give Pogba the chance to express himself and not be dominated in the midfield, because if they hold Pogba tightly, he can't do much without the help of our fullbacks and support from Herrera/Pereira. I fear for this match a lot and I don't have a great feeling about it. We're on a high and Arsenal just lost to Rennes and they're definitely in a more alert state of mind.

Again, this is my view and I might be wrong, but I feel this will be tough clash, a match where both teams will be running for their lives which is known to happen in the duels between us. Ole actually said after the PSG 2nd leg that the only time our team suffered so much physically since he came was in the cup match at Emirates. I am not saying it is impossible, but I would be surprised to see Emery picking up a lineup for a compact formation with a balanced approach considering that their current profile was built for attacking and highly offensive football. As far as Ole is concerned, I am pretty sure he will tell the players to play as fast and as vertical as possible when attacking, without many touches, but at the same time to try and control the ball, keep possession in the midfield if possible, to break the rhythm of Arsenal's players if it will be really necessary.

Arsenal and United fans, are you prepared for this battle?

Easy United win imo.

We've faced United in various states of vulnerability over the years and have still managed to lose. Now that Solskjaer is working his voodoo magic over them, my hopes of winning are even lower.

Going by how he's set United up in big away games, they'll probably sit deep and throw themselves in the way of everything. So we'll probably batter them with shots and not score enough while they go up the other end and score a counter, or get a jammy penalty or something. I still have nightmares from last year's game, where we managed 30+ shots yet somehow lost 3-1.

As for our line-up, it'll probably be:

Leno - Mustafi, Sokratis, Koscielny - Maitland-Niles, XHAKA, Guendouzi, Kolasinac - Mkhitaryan, Iwobi - Lacazette

Emery will be very aware of United's threat on the counter so will likely go with the third centre back to have an extra man on the cover. He'll also want to stretch United as much as possible, so I see the wing-backs coming back in. Torreira is suspended so the midfield two is easy enough to guess. Laca is fresher than Auba and Mkhi/Iwobi has been the preferred pair of attacking mids for most big games. That means Ozil and Ramsey will drop to the bench again.

Nah think Ramsey will start because Emery loves the pairing of Ramsey-laca.

Think we'll see Mustafi at RB again in a 4-2-3-1.

Jay29 wrote:Easy United win imo.

We've faced United in various states of vulnerability over the years and have still managed to lose. Now that Solskjaer is working his voodoo magic over them, my hopes of winning are even lower.

Going by how he's set United up in big away games, they'll probably sit deep and throw themselves in the way of everything. So we'll probably batter them with shots and not score enough while they go up the other end and score a counter, or get a jammy penalty or something. I still have nightmares from last year's game, where we managed 30+ shots yet somehow lost 3-1.

As for our line-up, it'll probably be:

Leno - Mustafi, Sokratis, Koscielny - Maitland-Niles, XHAKA, Guendouzi, Kolasinac - Mkhitaryan, Iwobi - Lacazette

Emery will be very aware of United's threat on the counter so will likely go with the third centre back to have an extra man on the cover. He'll also want to stretch United as much as possible, so I see the wing-backs coming back in. Torreira is suspended so the midfield two is easy enough to guess. Laca is fresher than Auba and Mkhi/Iwobi has been the preferred pair of attacking mids for most big games. That means Ozil and Ramsey will drop to the bench again.

I wouldn't be so sure about this. It's true that last time when you beat us was almost two years ago and it was one year and a half since your previous win before that, but both those victories were easy ones, a 2-0 in 2017 and a 3-0 in 2015. You can't get lucky or defend perfectly every time. I mean you almost always tried to play as offensive as possible and sometimes you got it, sometimes you didn't. Why wouldn't it be possible that this time you win it, especially because it's been quite a while since the last time it happened.

I believe there's a big chance Arsenal will do better because you can't be unlucky every single time and now Man United is pretty decimated because of injuries. Ole's streak of good results has also to come to an end. Not saying it will happen, but surely Arsenal has every chance of winning this and it won't be an easy match for us.

And I take back my words saying Arsenal isn't going through an excellent period. Maybe it isn't excellent, but they are in a good form in EPL.

So Tottenham just dropped 3 points to make this game even more important than it already was.

A win for Man Utd would mean having the same amount of points as 3rd placed Tottenham and an Arsenal win would have one point behind Tottenham.

With spurs going to Anfield next match....

No better incentive to win tomorrow.

this is a cup final, nice write up m8

Arsenal team:

Leno - Sokratis, Koscielny, Monreal - Maitland-Niles, XHAKA, Ramsey, Kolasinac - Ozil - Lacazette, Aubameyang

Probably the most offensive team Emery has put out all season.

Manchester United team
Starting XI: De Gea, Young (c), Lindelof, Smalling, Shaw, Matic, Fred, Pogba, Dalot, Rashford, Lukaku
Subs: Romero, Bailly, Rojo, McTominay, Andreas, Martial, Greenwood

Three changes from the victory against Paris Saint-Germain with Matic, Pogba and Dalot coming in for Bailly, McTominay and Andreas.

Jay29 wrote:Arsenal team:

Leno - Sokratis, Koscielny, Monreal - Maitland-Niles, XHAKA, Ramsey, Kolasinac - Ozil - Lacazette, Aubameyang

Probably the most offensive team Emery has put out all season.

Why do i get this feeling Ozil and Auba are going to play badly and Emery will bench them next week lol.

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:

Jay29 wrote:Arsenal team:

Leno - Sokratis, Koscielny, Monreal - Maitland-Niles, XHAKA, Ramsey, Kolasinac - Ozil - Lacazette, Aubameyang

Probably the most offensive team Emery has put out all season.

Why do i get this feeling Ozil and Auba are going to play badly and Emery will bench them next week lol.

he should

Shouldn't have started ozil. But i hope it works

I don't really disagree, I'm just having flashbacks to when Pardew use to give individual talents a start in big games.

The players in question would suck and then he would bench them against "smaller" opposition. Kind of hope I'm wrong about this.

no Lingard

Martial not fully fit

Rashford running on fumes

can't see anything but our league run ending, would take a draw right now tbh

hope the lads can channel their inner Rennes though

I'm going with a draw. But if Arsenal score first they will go to win the game.

OZIL BAH GAWD, havent seen him play in months

should have scored

what a ball from Shaw ffs

Succ my dick, XHAKA haters!

What a goal ffs.

De Gea

That's a gift.

XHAKA with the wind assist

Arsenal looking strong so far, gonna regret not scoring that chance earlier.

hit the woodwork twice so far ffs

bury it pls

stonewall penalty denied

twice off the woodwork ffs

not our day

Martial has one of the best resting bitch face.

we've had so many chances this game ffs

Arsenal have had more of the ball sure but we should be leading ffs