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Sorry for the late reply – I’ve been crazy busy!

Glad to see my article evoked so much reaction… exactly what I wanted – although I was disapointed more people didn’t have their say! I realise the piece was exaggerated, but I just wanted to do a different style of match preview, with opinion and an angle, rather than just facts.

BD Condell – I do understand a lot of your points, and I don’t mind your taking my article apart – it’s what we are here for after all – but many of my opinions weren’t regarding the outlook for the sides’ season, just how they have performed so far and what they were taking into this game. Before this one, Arsenal had been sensational – whether they are destined to be all season or not – and United had been average at best – even their drubbing of Wigan.

But things like –

- Gallas being Arsenal top scorer with 3 goals in 5 games – ‘free scoring’ i’d say…

- Carrick’s lack of playing time means he needs to find form quickly

- United missing Rio – I agree they have barely conceded, but (and the same goes with the stats you’ve produced) the amount of shots/chances they have conceded is not indicative of the quality of chances. Birmingham and Wigan had several glorious opportunities, and Arsenal were given similar chances.

- Same goes for the creation of chances for United. The number of shots they have had in some of these games is not really indicative of the quality of chances they have had. It has seemed much more like chances created out of nothing for the strikers. But granted they have had a lot of shots on target.

- Arsenal midfield – I wasn’t saying problem solved, but where Denilson has looked pretty average at best before this season, he has certainly looked top quality of late, and no – i still agree that their Def. Mid position is lacking, but their use of the three in CM has countered that well…

I know my article did seem biased, because it was! From the very title, it was meant to be a look at Arsenal’s best ever shot of beating United, as they had been the better team in the games leading up to it. And to be honest, they could – and maybe should – have beaten United in the end!
United won with a penalty and own goal, and if it wasn’t down to Foster’s save at 1-0 and a dubious refereeing decision, Arsenal would have walked it. Man U haven’t hit the ground running but are picking up points thanks to Rooney (who was given very little support again yesterday). And while the one-man-team thing was a deliberate exaggeration, United don’t look too impressive elsewhere (Fletcher’s performance aside) as Arsenal ran the show until their heads went down…

Anyway, apologies to those who felt i mistreated United. I was just trying to stir up some opinion about the early season big game! I’m definitely not an Arsenal fan though (my side are down in the Championship!), so don’t hate me on that account!

Thanks for your comments though guys, and I’ve gotta say, I see Chelsea for the title. Hopefully my next article will go down better!