Comments on: Arsenal vs Manchester United: Let battle commence!

By: Frankie

Frankie — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 23:09:43 +0000

Robert, you fancy United to win 1-5. That’s a brave call, mate. You might be letting your enthusiasm run away with you a touch. It’s not impossible (the great United treble winning team once thrashed Arsenal 6-1 at Old Trafford, and back in the 90′s United hammered Arsenal 2-6 at Highbury when Lee Sharpe was in his pomp). But somehow mate, I just can’t see a 1-5 on Saturday. More like 1-1.

By: Andrei

Andrei — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 22:16:11 +0000

oopsy, sorry Brian

By: Brian

Brian — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 20:18:35 +0000

Hey Andrei – I said Man Utd COULD HAVE lost twice last year to Chelsea and still won the title. They drew twice and United won the league by six. Had Chelsea won both games, they would have finished on equal points, but United were so far ahead on goal differential that unless Chelsea beat them 17-0 United would still have been champions.

By: Andrei

Andrei — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 17:10:49 +0000

Ummmm, Brian I am just wondering, are you sure abouit those two loses by Man Utd at the hands of Chelsea? I remeber two draws. Anyways.

Anyways this game is very important in terms of confidence, and also Man Utd will also actually level Arsenal on points if they win. The Gunners have a game in hand and taking those extra points into December will provide extra incentive. If on the other hand the teams are level on points there will be more pressure on both teams and I can see SAF edging Wenger in the battle of the nerves.

This game will be crucial in the run in to the title as I can see Arsenal go unbeated again if United will not stop them.

The key to the game? Composure. Arsenal will not get many scoring opportunities and they will ahve to take them all. Man Utd wil get several half-chances and they will have to make the most of them. Also the team that goes into the lead will have to hold their nerves, even if they find themselves 2 or even 3 goals ahead (God, where is Neville when we need him?).

It does not come down to any player in particular, i dnot think. Everyone will have a responsability and taking it will go a long way to determining the eventual winners.

At this stage, with this much quality it is too close to call but I think United will teach a lesson: Arsenal 0 – 3 Man Utd. Not exaggerated and no wishful thinking. I honeslty see this result happening, but it will not reflect the game.

By: Karl

Karl — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 14:51:08 +0000

I must say, This is a BRILLIANT article!
Its lovely to see a preview without any bias.

I think the game will be tight. we might not see any attacking flair.

By: Eddie

Eddie — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 14:15:13 +0000

This game is not just about three points. when u go to school or to work there are always someone that will say:”so…what happend to your team on saturday? Looks like (Team name) ain`t that good then.” Every day I go off to school on monday i hear a commment that either we got lucky to hammer boro 4-1, or that we dont even know how to beat fuckin city. This match is also about personal pride. Every day this week I have heard this:”Hey,u cunt. What happend with ya last season? u got smashed twice by us didnt u?” Everybody that goes through the same thing, knows how muth u wanna hit that guy in the face. leave a mark and say:”We will beat u next time!!” And tomorrow we will. 2-0 to The mighty reds! Bring on Arsenal!!

By: Brian

Brian — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 14:10:12 +0000

Good preview, James. I’m as excited about the game as anyone, but the level of hype is making my skull vibrate at this point. Why do we always convince ourselves that big games in the fall will be pivotal at the end of the season? Points are points, but it’s worth remembering that Manchester United could have lost twice to Chelsea last year and still won the league. Still, it’s rare enough that you get two great teams on such good runs of form. Should be a lot of fun, regardless of whether it determines the next champion.

By: Frankie

Frankie — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 14:02:47 +0000

As everyone knows, it’s one of those games which could go either way. Much depends on who scores first (assuming someone does score). The first goal will shape the dynamics of the contest. If Arsenal score first, I expect them to win. Perhaps 2:0. If United score first, I think it will be a 1:1 draw, with Arsenal scoring a late equaliser. Arsenal seem to score more late goals in tight games (last 10 minutes) than any other side in the league.

The Arsenal are extremely fit; their passing game tires opponents out leaving them ready for “the kill” late on. Sam Allardyce, the Newcastle manager, thinks that Arsenal are the fittest side in the league. In the middle of the pitch, there will be a titanic battle for supremacy: Hargreaves v. Fabregas. As long as Hargreaves is on top of his game, expect Fabregas to be kept relatively quiet. Keep Fabregas quiet, and you go a long way to neutralising the ‘new’ Arsenal. But United will have a problem as the game wears on.

Hargreaves is just returning from injury and is not fully match fit. Anderson, his midfield partner, is just finding his way to full fitness and still acclimatising to new team mates. United could be vulnerable in the last 10 minutes. To get anything out of the game, I think United need to be ahead by the time we get to the last quarter of the game.

It will be a tight game. Most probable result? A draw: 1-1.

By: RedDevil

RedDevil — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 13:51:33 +0000

I think it will be an exiting game, I cant wait for tomorrow. If we get an early goal, then Arsenal definetly will have to attack and that can be a reat thing for United. We are a great counter-attacking team, but so are Arsenal. We have fantastic players and we are fun to watch, but so are they. It will be an open game and I think both teams will go out to attack. If Anderson starts United will win. If fletcher starts we will draw. My prediction: 2-0 to UNITED!! Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez to score.