Manchester United v Arsenal: The Mega Preview

By: Taylor Rockwell | April 28th, 2009

Since it seemed to work so well last time, Wayne and I once again decided to do a dual match preview. This one is a bit epic (we both got a bit excited a bit early), so hopefully you are able to finish it sometime before the start of the match tomorrow.

1. How do you see this weekend’s victory over Spurs impacting tomorrow’s match?

Wayne: I see this weekend’s victory as having a big impact on us, but not Arsenal. It should give us a lot more confidence than we’ve had going into the recent matches, what with the way that we showed incredible determination and creativity in the second half. If that match doesn’t get the players going, then nothing will. Hopefully it’ll give Berba a boost, he scored (albeit from three yards) and hopefully that’ll provide him with more confidence.

Taylor: While I would like to take such an optimistic approach, I remain wary of Sunday’s match. Obviously, it took a lot of effort to come back from 2-0 down (insert your standard Howard Webb joke here) and United certainly gelled after wiping Fergie’s half-time spit off of their faces. However, when we came back against Villa a few weeks ago, I thought that that would be the definitive turning point and yet, here we are now and United have done everything possible to give away the title (and their shot at repeat Champion’s League glory).

My prayer is that the main way the victory over Spurs effects Wednesday’s match is that we see more of Carlos Tevez on the pitch. At home to Arsenal, I would love to see Fergie throw together a 4-3-3 with Slave and Giggs/Fletcher/Park on the wings and Rooney, Tevez, and Berba running up top. Could be a glorious day.

Looking at it from a negative perspective, I think the thing that has become abundantly clear for our opponents is that you can’t sit back and play for the draw against this Untied squad. When you do that, we’ll put one in eventually. In the most recent matches where United have struggled, our opponents (Liverpool, Fulham, Porto, and Spurs) got on us early and really tried to control the match from the outset. Porto and Spurs both took their foot off of the gas a bit too early and we all know how those matches ended. Here’s hoping Wenger didn’t learn a whole lot from our match with Spurs but Fergie/United did.

2. So then heading into this Semi-Final, who do you think needs to have the biggest game to ensure a United result?

Wayne: Personally, I think United’s biggest threat is the man who’s been our talisman for most of the season; Wayne Rooney. He’s controlled games for United recently and has scored some cracking goals and provided assists. He gets the team going when they’re being lazy, and he chases after lost causes constantly, he’s the epitome of a world-class player and if given the opportunity will control games. He’s also began to control his temper (touch wood) and has, for me, become United’s most outstanding player. Likewise, I think Roo will end up having the biggest impact, although I kinda hope that Berba does. Berba will shut up a lot of critics with a big-game performance but I cant look beyond Rooney, he lives for these occasions and will thrive in the pressure-cooker that is the Champions League Semi-Final. So my vote goes to Rooney.

Taylor: Great minds, Wayne… Great minds… I know most people are looking at either Slave (to further his footballing reputation) or Berba (to establish his at United), but I think we’ll be seeing big things from Wayne Rooney tomorrow night. His defensive efforts kept Porto off balance for the entire match, and throughout our recent slump he has looked the only player who actually cared about the badge. Indeed, one need look no further than the way Rooney celebrates when he scores for evidence of how much the club means to the youngster.

With four goals and three assists in the last five games, my guess is that an in form Rooney could pose a considerable threat to an Arsenal side already preoccupied with Berbatov and Slave. I think we could see a big night from the Shrek-lookalike before the evening is over.

3. Samir Nasri played in a holding position against ‘Boro at the weekend and was very effective. If played in the same position in Wednesday’s match, what do you think United can do to outwit him?

Taylor: Sign Stewart Downing to break his legs? That would be pretty effective. Since that probably isn’t a viable option, I think you have to go with the next best things: Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez (can you tell I really want Fergie to go with a 4-3-3?) Nasri has definitely made an excellent transition into Arsenal’s terrier in the centre of the park, and has demonstrated that he has greater defensive capabilities than previously anticipated… but Michael Essien he is not. ‘Boro weren’t exactly throwing world class attackers his way and Gareth Southgate isn’t known to be the most innovative footballing mind.

Arsenal’s back four have looked woeful as of late, and I think that if United throw their weight forward, it will be asking too much of the young Frenchman to handle such a massive defensive assignment. In effect, you don’t need to outwit Nasri when you can simply overpower him. Your thoughts?

Wayne: Yeah, I have to agree. ‘Boro’s strikers and attacking midfielders are average at best. Even Downing (who’s supposed to be their top talent), I don’t rate at all. It will be interesting to see if Wenger has the balls to put Nasri in the holding position for this match, since, as you stated, ‘Boro are no United. I feel that we will simply bamboozle him if he’s in that position. We have too much pace, power, and skill to let a little Frenchman get in the way. He can do a job for sure, but whether he can do so against the best in the world is debatable.

I, like you, feel that we’ll have too much from him. And Arsenal’s defence have been looking very shaky recently, but I think that could have been down to the lack of confidence they had in a certain Mr. Fabianski, so I don’t think they’ll be as bad with Almunia back. But Arsenal’s chances could really hinge on where Wenger decides to play Nasri.

4. Wenger has stated that the main reason he switched Fabregas and Nasri is because of how well Cesc and Andrei Arshavin have been playing together. However, the Tiny Russian is cup-tied and will not factor in tomorrow’s match. How big of an impact do you think this will have and how happy do you think Rio/Vidic are to not have to deal with Arshavin’s speed?

Wayne: Arshavin provides Arsenal’s edge, their extra dimension, if you will. He seems to be a real motivator and other players seem to move up a gear when they’re playing with him.

So, I think it’s a big factor that he’s not playing. I also think that Rio and Vidic are probably pretty happy that he’s not playing. Vidic, although back to his near-best has been shown up by pace in the past and Arshavin has an abundance of the stuff. But really, I think that Arsenal will miss the belief that the little Russian brings to the team as much as his skill on the pitch.

I really think that Arsenal are a much weaker team without him and think this’ll be a big factor come tomorrow night.

Taylor: What I really can’t figure out is why Wenger played Arshavin this weekend. I know he stated that it was important for them to remain confident heading into this match, but it still makes very little sense to me. They’re not at risk of falling out of fourth place, and they’re certainly not going to challenge for the Premiership title. Thus, the Champions League should be their main focus at this point.

If you know you won’t have Arshavin on Wednesday, then why not tinker with the squad against Boro and try to get a working system in place? Fergie did it multiple times this season when he knew he wouldn’t have Rooney, Evra, or Vidic. Does the Frenchman really expect to switch his insanely in-form attacker out and have the squad continue on as though nothing happened? Again, Wenger has argued that he wants his team to have confidence going into Old Trafford, but what kind of confidence is that? “Hooray! We’ve drawn with Liverpool and beaten ‘Boro! Oh wait, the guy that scored all four against Pool and assisted on one against ‘Boro is out… Oh shit.”

5. United have come back into some good enough form recently, and still sit top of the EPL, while Arsenal are unbeaten in twenty EPL games, which side do you think will be more confident going into this game?

Taylor: In other circumstances, I would have to say Arsenal. They’re hitting form at the perfect time, they’re playing well together, and they clearly have some talented attacking weapons. However, for the two reasons discussed above, I think that confidence may end up being misplaced. Sure Almunia is back, but the defense is shocking. Even the most diehard Gooner has to admit that they’re concerned about a backline consisting of Eboue, Toure, Silvestre, and Gibbs trying to ward off the United attack. Add to that the fact that the catalyst for the team’s rise to form won’t even be dressing, and that confidence could turn south quickly.

Mikael Silvestre is apparently already prepared for his savage beating tomorrow night.

In contrast, while United haven’t really been the most impressive team at all times lately, they certainly won’t have shaky knees come kickoff. The first half against Spurs demonstrated that the Red Devils certainly aren’t bullet proof, but experience goes a long way towards settling nerves. United have been here before, and will understand the task at hand better than most. Rest assured, Fergie has made it clear that this isn’t Spurs and they can’t rely on penalties and comebacks to see them through. That’s why I expect to see a midfield of Slave, Carrick, and Giggs tomorrow. You don’t get a whole lot more experienced than that.

Wayne: Yeah, have to agree. Most of Arsenal’s momentum at the moment has been built on a small Russian foundation, one which isn’t available. I feel that Arsenal may think that they can do as well without him, but could be in for a surprise. The simple fact is that against a team like Man Utd, they’re going to have to be a lot more cautious than against the likes of ‘Boro. United (bar the Liverpool and Porto matches) have pretty much taken apart every team to visit Old Trafford this season.

What I think could perhaps be more crucial is not United’s form as of late, but their European form. Unbeaten since losing to AC Milan at the San Siro in 2006/07 season, they must be extremely confident going into every CL game. Even after drawing 2-2 at home to Porto, the belief they showed at the Dragao was astonishing, and conveyed a team who simply don’t think they can be beaten in Europe. And they have every right to feel like that. They’re the reigning champions, this is their third Semi-Final in three years, and they’re at home tomorrow.

6. Do you think it’s an advantage or disadvantage that the first leg is at Old Trafford?

Wayne: Well, this may not be of interest to many, but the last time United faced Arsenal at home in a cup competition they beat them 4-0.

Of course, this is a different kettle of fish, I just wanted to drop that in. Historically, teams who play their first leg at home don’t do as well, but United played the home leg first in the last round and got though, as did Barca. Importantly, I think United know the job they have to do against Arsenal tomorrow. Of course the first leg is about consolidation, but if there’s one thing we haven’t seen in the CL this season, it’s consolidation.

United should, in my opinion, grab this opportunity by the horns and end this tie before it goes back to the Emirates. I think the Reds know they can end it here. As we mentioned above, Arsenal’s defence is shaky, and Fabregas won’t be playing as high up the pitch, also, may I add that RVP is a major doubt for the Gooners.

So yeah, I think we have an advantage in having the first leg at home. I think that if the players apply themselves and show the sort of ruthlessness they showed at OT against Chelsea earlier in the season, they can come out of it with an even bigger advantage!

Taylor: In general, I prefer to have the away leg first, especially if it’s against opponent that carries a pretty big reputation with them (like Barca or Inter). Remember our rather unfortunate second leg performance in 2007 when AC Milan bounced us 3-0? (watch at your own risk)

However, if we have to play at home in the first leg, I think the fact that its Arsenal is definitely a big plus. In these late rounds, the ability to settle quickly and effectively can decide the tie early on. Going against a team that we’ve already played roughly 471 times in two years will certainly aid that process.

7. Arsenal have a lot of top quality players, but who do you think is their main threat? And how can United nullify that threat?

Taylor: No Arshavin and a damaged RVP would usually mean that United will be focusing on Fabregas. However, I agree with Fergie’s statements from earlier today that stopping Theo Walcott will be their primary concern. I expect Adebayor, Bendtner, and Walcott to all see the pitch tomorrow, and I think that focusing on the taller two of the three could be a dangerous trap for the Reds.

Walcott has proven himself to be a talented attacker and legitimate scoring option on counters (something I expect to see a lot of tomorrow). Patrice Evra will need to have a stellar game and mark the England international off of the pitch, or United could find themselves in a world of trouble early on.

Wayne: I don’t want to see Walcott do to Evra what Aaron Lennon did on Sunday. I think that if you stop Arsenal’s pace then you’re half way there.

But I think that Fabregas is the main threat, as always. The way that he can pull strings from midfield, whether playing deep or higher up is phenomenal. He sees balls that other players cannot even fathom, but without Arshavin and RVP to receive his passes, and with Bendtner not very good, his passing will have to be immaculate to get through Vidic and Rio and find Adebayor and Walcott.

I think that in terms of Walcott, Evra has to be on his game and perhaps it will be necessary to have play Giggs or Rooney on the wing to track back. In terms of Fabregas I think that United need to press Arsenal tight in the midfield to prevent them from building momentum. If we can prevent them from building up long, fluid passing moves then we’ll go a long way to stopping Arsenal.

8. What lineup would you like to see Fergie employ given all of the issues we’ve discussed?

Wayne: Given what we’ve spoken about, I do have a preferred starting XI in mind.

First off, I’ll deal with the obvious; VDS in goals, Wes Brown (if fit), Vidic, Rio and Evra in defence. In midfield, I want to see Fletcher, Giggs and Carrick. Carrick because he has the composure to slow down a game, and can pick a great pass. Giggs, for the big-game experience he has, and that he’ll track back to prevent Walcott from posing a real threat. And Fletcher because he’s proven himself really capable of pressuring midfields and breaking moves down, I think he’s well capable of a big Semi-Final performance.

Up front, I’m sure you can imagine who I’ll pick. Rooney, Berba and Ronaldo up front, with Roo and Ron switching wings, and even the possibility of one of them switching occasionally with Giggs. Obviously, Berba up in the center-forward role. For some reason I have a feeling that this could be his big moment. I don’t know why, but I feel that he can have a big say on tomorrow’s precedings.

Taylor: I’ll be going with a 4-3-2-1 for this one, but my selections aren’t quite as cut and dry as yours. I agree with Evra, Rio, and Vidic, but I don’t know about the right side of defense. O’Shea is ruled out because he’s John O’Shea, and that leaves Rafael and Wes Brown. I think in this match, I would prefer to see a FULLY FIT Wes Brown because he’s still a bit more reliable in defense. If Brown isn’t all the way ready, then it’s got to be Rafael.

My midfield is a bit confusing to pick as well. Slave/Carrick/Giggs seems perfect, but the fact that #7 doesn’t track back too often is a big concern. So, you may be right in sitting Tevez and pushing Slave forward. However, I just can’t do it because 1) if Brown is fit, he’s a better positional defender than Rafael and 2) I really want to see Tevez and Rooney together with berba up top. I don’t know if I really expect big things from the Bulgarian but his reaction against Spurs really said it all for me. He tried to stay calm and collected, but the double fist pump/scream was enough for me to know that he was VERY happy to score.

Fast forward to about :24 and tell me that’s not a look of sheer relief…

9. The big question now, what’s your alcoholic beverage of choice for tomorrow night’s game?

Taylor: I will be Live Blogging this one again (for all interested parties), so I’ll be trying to avoid the big guns. Probably Amstel or Sierra Nevada to see me through, although the Jameson’s will be waiting if an emergency arises.

Wayne: I, unlike the last time we played a CL match, now have some money. I also have no early start in college on Thursday, so I might go to the pub to watch this one. If that’s the case, you can list anything from Bulmers to Jagermeister as my drinks of choice. But, as may be more likely, if I stay in to chill out and watch it my beverages will again be a six-pack of beer, perhaps Peroni Nastro Azzuro, or my cheap alternative, Galahad.

Either way, I’m gonna be tipsy come the end.

10. I think that we’ll both probably have that in common. Additionally, I think we’re both leaning towards a pretty solid United result for this one, but what’s the scoreline going to be when the final whistle goes?

Wayne: Yeah, we both exude confidence from this preview, no doubt. With that in mind I have to go for a big win here, I’m saying 3-0. Arsenal, in my opinion, just don’t have the defence, nay team to stop us and I feel we’ll simply outpace and overpower them. Bring it on!

Taylor: For a minute there, I had visions of the 4-0 thumping we handed them in the FA Cup last season.

Then I toweled off, calmed down, remembered that they had nine starters out for that match, and decided that five or six nil was more likely for this one. Ha… just kidding…

I actually settled on a scoreline that was pretty similar to your own. I could realistically see us falling behind to a quick goal, and then bouncing back to net three of our own. So, if you’re free tomorrow, stop by the liveblog as Berba, Vidic, and Slave knock us into a good position for the second leg. Until then, happy pre-match drinking!