Post by Admin on Feb 12, 2014 20:08:38 GMT 5.5
Arsenal vs Manchester United!
A rivalry which has grown to be one of the biggest in the English League history, Arsenal vs Manchester United has never failed to build up excitement and anticipation towards the game. From the ‘Battle Of Old Trafford’ in 1990 when a tackle on United left back Denis Irwin by Nigel Winterburn ensued a massive brawl, to the current spite borne of Robin van Persie’s infamous switch from North London to Manchester, this rivalry has seen pretty much everything. Arsene Wenger ended Man United’s dominance in the Premiere League by winning the league 1997-98 by overcoming a 12 point deficit over leader United in the last few weeks of the season. Thus starting one of the greatest managerial duels between Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger.
This rivalry however has mellowed down in recent years. And much of that has to do with Arsenal’s inability to win a major trophy for over 9 years. "It could have been 20," Sir Alex Ferguson recounts in his book. "It actually reached the point where I felt - please, no more goals. It was a humiliation for Arsène." Sir Alex talking about the 8-2 (in August 2011) mauling of an out of depth Arsenal side signalling just how irrelevant The Gunners had become to Manchester United in recent seasons. And the pain of the supporters at Ashburton Grove (The Emirates Stadium) grew deeper when their then affectionately named ‘captain vantastic’ Robin van Persie moved to Old Trafford, the home of the current and a record 13 time Barclays Premiere League champions.
However much has changed now. The iconic Sir Alex Ferguson is no longer in the hot seat at The Theatre Of Dreams and new manager David Moyes has struggled to carry out the legacy of his predecessor in his first season in charge, as United sit 7th in the league table and 9 points off 4th place Liverpool. Contrastingly, The Gunners are 2nd in the League and one point behind leaders Chelsea. Despite their league standings, the North London side aren’t considered as title favourites and the reasons behind this were highlighted in their previous game at Anfield. A centre back pairing which had held its own for much of the season was shred to pieces by the brilliance of the Liverpool forward line. The Gunners were hit by an astounding 5-1 score line in which their defensive woes were doubled up by the lack of firepower upfront. With injuries to Ramsey and Walcott, Arsenal are dependent for goals on a French striker Olivier Giroud who seems to go missing during the big games. And on Wednesday night, all of their shortcomings will again be put to a massive test as they host Manchester United.
Manchester United don’t seem to be Manchester United this season, as the transition to a new manager after 26 years has hit them hard. Pressure’s building on David Moyes as he had to witness another heart breaking result at Old Trafford on Sunday. The signing of Juan Mata clearly doesn’t seem enough, as their midfield and defensive woes continue. But United will go into this fixture knowing that their opponents are under enormous pressure as well and will take confidence from their recent results against their great rivals, Unbeaten in their last five matches and having suffered just one defeat in their previous five visits to Emirates Stadium in all competitions, United know how to grind out results against Arsene Wenger's men.
The Gunners will be hoping to stop former striker Robin van Persie, who has scored eight times in his last nine Barclays Premier League matches, including the only goal when the two sides met at Old Trafford in November. Van Persie has netted in each of the three games against his old club since joining the Red Devils.
Marouane Fellaini (groin) and Jonny Evans (calf) are likely to miss out for Man Utd, although Phil Jones may return from concussion. Mathieu Flamini serves the final game of his three-match ban for Arsenal, who will again be without Aaron Ramsey (thigh), Thomas Vermaelen (knee) and Kim Kallstrom (back). Jack Wilshere returned to the side at Liverpool following an ankle injury and suffered no ill-effects, so he is set to continue in midfield.
It’s a rivalry that has seen some monumental encounters, enemies being made and emotions run high and the latest clash is shaping up to be another classic!
Referee: Mark Clattenburg
Hope you had a good time reading our Article , which was written by Shreyas.
You can follow us @_FootyStuff on twitter and like us on Facebook here
A rivalry which has grown to be one of the biggest in the English League history, Arsenal vs Manchester United has never failed to build up excitement and anticipation towards the game. From the ‘Battle Of Old Trafford’ in 1990 when a tackle on United left back Denis Irwin by Nigel Winterburn ensued a massive brawl, to the current spite borne of Robin van Persie’s infamous switch from North London to Manchester, this rivalry has seen pretty much everything. Arsene Wenger ended Man United’s dominance in the Premiere League by winning the league 1997-98 by overcoming a 12 point deficit over leader United in the last few weeks of the season. Thus starting one of the greatest managerial duels between Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger.
This rivalry however has mellowed down in recent years. And much of that has to do with Arsenal’s inability to win a major trophy for over 9 years. "It could have been 20," Sir Alex Ferguson recounts in his book. "It actually reached the point where I felt - please, no more goals. It was a humiliation for Arsène." Sir Alex talking about the 8-2 (in August 2011) mauling of an out of depth Arsenal side signalling just how irrelevant The Gunners had become to Manchester United in recent seasons. And the pain of the supporters at Ashburton Grove (The Emirates Stadium) grew deeper when their then affectionately named ‘captain vantastic’ Robin van Persie moved to Old Trafford, the home of the current and a record 13 time Barclays Premiere League champions.
However much has changed now. The iconic Sir Alex Ferguson is no longer in the hot seat at The Theatre Of Dreams and new manager David Moyes has struggled to carry out the legacy of his predecessor in his first season in charge, as United sit 7th in the league table and 9 points off 4th place Liverpool. Contrastingly, The Gunners are 2nd in the League and one point behind leaders Chelsea. Despite their league standings, the North London side aren’t considered as title favourites and the reasons behind this were highlighted in their previous game at Anfield. A centre back pairing which had held its own for much of the season was shred to pieces by the brilliance of the Liverpool forward line. The Gunners were hit by an astounding 5-1 score line in which their defensive woes were doubled up by the lack of firepower upfront. With injuries to Ramsey and Walcott, Arsenal are dependent for goals on a French striker Olivier Giroud who seems to go missing during the big games. And on Wednesday night, all of their shortcomings will again be put to a massive test as they host Manchester United.
Manchester United don’t seem to be Manchester United this season, as the transition to a new manager after 26 years has hit them hard. Pressure’s building on David Moyes as he had to witness another heart breaking result at Old Trafford on Sunday. The signing of Juan Mata clearly doesn’t seem enough, as their midfield and defensive woes continue. But United will go into this fixture knowing that their opponents are under enormous pressure as well and will take confidence from their recent results against their great rivals, Unbeaten in their last five matches and having suffered just one defeat in their previous five visits to Emirates Stadium in all competitions, United know how to grind out results against Arsene Wenger's men.
The Gunners will be hoping to stop former striker Robin van Persie, who has scored eight times in his last nine Barclays Premier League matches, including the only goal when the two sides met at Old Trafford in November. Van Persie has netted in each of the three games against his old club since joining the Red Devils.
Marouane Fellaini (groin) and Jonny Evans (calf) are likely to miss out for Man Utd, although Phil Jones may return from concussion. Mathieu Flamini serves the final game of his three-match ban for Arsenal, who will again be without Aaron Ramsey (thigh), Thomas Vermaelen (knee) and Kim Kallstrom (back). Jack Wilshere returned to the side at Liverpool following an ankle injury and suffered no ill-effects, so he is set to continue in midfield.
It’s a rivalry that has seen some monumental encounters, enemies being made and emotions run high and the latest clash is shaping up to be another classic!
Referee: Mark Clattenburg
Hope you had a good time reading our Article , which was written by Shreyas.
You can follow us @_FootyStuff on twitter and like us on Facebook here