So another weekend brings another massive must-win Arsenal game, as the Portugese bus conductor brings his Man United side to the Emirates to try and eke out a 0-0 draw.
This game could be more like a game of chess as both sides will be looking to hold off their opponents and trying to get a breakaway goal. Arsenal’s brilliant home record and the fans will give the Gunners the advantage especially as they have kept three clean sheets in a row since the comeback of Shkrodan Mustafi from injury. The trio of Koscielny, Mustafi and Monreal are looking super strong, and, as Per Mertesacker said: “We know that we can improve but we’re taking lessons from every single game, both offensively and defensively. At the moment we look desperate to keep a clean sheet in every game, and that’s what you want to see.”
As long as they can keep Man United at bay, I am sure that we now have the quality up the field to break down the United defence that conceded two away at Watford in midweek. We may be missing Alexandre Lacazette but we still have Ozil and Sanchez on form to get behind the United lines, and of course Aaron Ramsey is now relishing his role in the centre and can help set up more chances or maybe even get one himself. Mertesacker was gushing abouut the Welshman’s contribution in midweek. Aaron Ramsey made two of our goals against Huddersfield,”
“He’s fully fit and he makes a huge physical contribution to our play, which everyone knows he’s capable of.
“When Aaron’s fit, he’s magnificent. He’s been efficient lately and is really coming back to his best.
“Aaron’s contributions in the final third were impressive but in the final half hour, I thought that was replicated by the whole team. That’s what we’re capable of, and that’s what we want to see more of. !
Olivier Giroud was also impressive in the second half of the Huddersfield game, having six shots on target and even better, seeing two of them go in!
Keep the United forward line quiet and Arsenal will take all three points today.
Sam P
The key is Zhaka NOT cocking up and giving them a goal or two !
I think this will really be a tight game and there could just be a single goal in it. That is why our defence not being at their best could be really bad for us. The first goal here will really be key. If we get it,there will always be a chance that we could add to that tally coz manure will have to attack to keep snapping at city’s heels. But if they nick a goal,then it could really become hard for us and we will then need to dig in and grind a result out for ourselves. I just hope that we win this game no matter the scoreline….
Manchester United midfielders do not play like Manchester City midfielders, thus I believe Arsenal would be able to take control of the midfield area and set the tempo in the match. Pogba-Matic-Herrera-Mkhitaryan were dominated by Modric-Casemiro-Kroos-Isco in the 2017 UEFA Supercup, so Arsenal could also overcome Manchester United midfielders’ physicalities if they could play with high level football.
The problem would be Manchester United players’ heights. Mourinho has been collecting physical monsters to score from set pieces and usually Arsenal do not have answer for that strategy.
Mustafi, Monreal and Koscielny would be able to handle Manchester United’s quick counter-attacks, but they would need other players’ help to defend from set pieces. Hence all players are required to work hard to take the ball from Manchester United players.
Am optimistic about this game but will like our wingbacks to stay focused bcos Manu will certainly rely on martial,rashford or even young to cos us damages. So bellarin and kolasinac shld watch it. I have no issues with our central defence. They are doing great. Wenger shld start welbeck considering his ability to put defences on back foot. Then Ramsey and zharka shld stay compact to complement each other. Am expecting an Arsenal win at least.
I hope we have a good plan and we concentrate on our defence. We should be strong against Man U’s players. Am abit wary of Jose’s plan but it is not impossible for us to have a win.
A performance like v spu would be nice, so am guessing Danny will start over Giroud unless Arsene decides to try and surprise, his opposition, but only works on our fans. We showed that game that we have some grit to stand up against physical sides, but what also worked for us that day was Tott believing everything people were saying after Madrid. Manu will focus on physical, but Pogba might try to show why he is so expensive, that could work in our favor because historically the CM used to be a stubborn bitch to get past. Come on Arsenal, those games lately mean nothing if we don’t take the next step. We can only grow as a side if we are shown to improve. We have faith that you want this as much as we do, so please take these wnkears down. Fans should be up for this one, so even if it’s hard to watch I think the team has done enough lately to keep you on their side. COYG!!!!
I think any proper counter attacking can exploit our midfield & defensive weaknesses.
If we don’t defend as a team we’ll lose.
Up gunners
I would have felt more confident with Lacazette, we’ve missed having a clinical striker esp in the big games. So am gutted he’s not playing. I think Arsene should have kept quite on the fact he was gonna miss the game, maybe telling us that he’ll have a fitness test on Fri. Mour is all about small details, should try to give him mixed messages.
Clueless xhaka is key to us not conceding. However smelling a win todae #COYG