The Soccer Blog: Manchester United - Arsenal: Match Thread

Monday, 13 December 2010

Manchester United - Arsenal: Match Thread

Manchester United – Arsenal: Match Thread - - The Offside - Arsenal Football Club Blog

« Pole to Pole: Szczesny to Start against Manchester United? | Home | Manchester United – Arsenal: Match ThreadBy: Sairax | December 13th, 2010

Lineups are in:

Manchester United: Starters: van der Sar, Rafael, Ferdinand, Evra, Carrick, Anderson, Fletcher, Nani, Park, Rooney Bench: Kuszczak, Hernandez, Berbatov, Brown, Smalling, Obertan, Giggs

Arsenal: Starters: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Squillaci, Clichy, Song, Wilshere, Nasri, Rosicky, Arshavin, Chamakh Bench: Fabianski, Djourou, Fabregas, Walcott, RvP, Denilson, Bendtner

Our young Pole Szczney is officially going to be making his Premier League debut against Manchester United. I have mixed feelings on this. On the one hand, I love Szczesny and think he has performed well this season. Surely our future number one. On the other hand, he’s never played in the Premier League and will make his debut in a huge and important game. He has a ton of confidence, which is fantastic, but there is such a thing as being too confident, especially at his age. Anyway, I hope he puts on the cracking performance I know he’s capable of. He could really make his mark with a great performance today and make Wenger’s job even tougher in deciding what to do with our goalkeeping situation.

Scholes failed a late fitness test so it’s Carrick in the midfield for ManUtd. The other surprise is that there is no Berbatov in the starting eleven. As for our team, Cesc is available, but on the bench for us in case we run into trouble. Rosicky will play in behind Chamakh with Arshavin and Nasri on the flanks. This worked well against Villa in the first half, so let’s hope they can pull off a good performance again today. Djourou is left on the bench, which is disappointing. Squizz and Kos need to be wide awake and have a really good performance. Most importantly, they need to contain Rooney, which is easier said than done.

It’s here. Manchester United v Arsenal at Old Trafford. Looking at ManUtd’s home record and our general record away at OT, the odds don’t seem to favour us much at all. It wouldn’t be a huge blow in terms of our position in the table if we lose, but it could impact our fragile self-confidence. If we win, it could give the team a lift and some more belief. If we can play our game and, most importantly, put away our chances, we could come out of there with a good result. I’m really nervous, so if I’m not commenting much you know it’s because my hands are trembling too much to type. Let’s hope our boys can do the job today.

Come on Arsenal!

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Category: Arsenal News, Fixtures, Manchester United, Premiership

Tags: Arsenal News, Fixtures, Manchester United, Match Thread, Premiership
« Pole to Pole: Szczesny to Start against Manchester United? | Home | MartinIt's not what anyone wants to hear, and, just like, after the Braga game, I'm sure you're all going to get mad at me. But I'll say it any way: I'm not panicking.

1. We're still in 2nd place, 2 points off the top of the table.
2. Manchester United at Old Trafford is one of the toughest fixtures in all of European football. Losing 1-0 there is not the worst result in the world.
3. I thought we had some bright spots: Szczesny played well, I thought Koscielny was very good, Sagna was good, Song was better than he's been in a while, etc. But I don't understand why our offense was so crap, though. We barely put them under any pressure at all.
4. Manchester United plays Chelsea next weekend, and we've got a reeling Stoke side at home. Let's win that and let at least one (and hopefully both) of the other sides drop points there, and be right in the thick of things going into the second half, when we have Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Chelsea all at home. We're not out of this yet, not by a long way.

Also, I mean, not to go all Seth and Amy on you . . . but . . . Really? Really Howard Webb? A guy can run into your face and shove you and doesn't even get a yellow? Really? I almost can't believe how blatant it's gotten. Is there any doubt in anyone's mind that if that had been Darren Muamba, African player playing for any other club, he would have gotten a red without hesitation. Ugh. Really?MarloneiousWojo man of the match.TheoW14Hey what the hell some of you are terrible fans to be blaming AW i do think he needs to call in the funds for CBS tho.....and Arshavins just out of form..no need to say hes a discrace to wear the shirt and Betdner is one of the younger talents of the team you all will eat your wors in two seasons when hes scoring 20 goals for us per season or 20 goals for chelsea and or Totenham when AW listens to u and sells him..Gigi_manWell, I finished my break. I am healed.
Actually I talked to my bro in law, an Argentine who is very objective (very, very) and I told him that I was all sad, he replied, "dude, a one nil as visitors isnt bad at all i MEAN IS BETTER TO WIN OR TO DRAW, BUT ITS NOT BAD" THEN HE POINTED OUT WHAT i READ AROUND HERE, THAT WE STILL HAVE HOME GAMES TO BUG TEAMS, AND CHANCES AS WELL.
oK, OK, WE NEED TO REFLECT (oops I just saw the screen but I am too lazy to change letters, just dont think I m yeling ok?, OK? hehe).
So we need to reflect on this, and frankly I still believe that AW is maybe past his time, one key strategy I ve learned is to surprise when you face tough coptetition, and he just doesnt get to that. My guess is he tried to surprise with Chesny, but he got the wrong end, imo.

So mommy and dady now that I am back from mybeak, since I ddnt see the disaster, I mean the game, will you do a ratin or are you as pissed as I am, er was, er will be..man I am lost...RealM_malaysia8953 – There were a total of 53 misplaced passes in the final third of the pitch in the first half: 20 by Arsenal, 33 by Man Utd. Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy.

are any of the top EPL clubs even playing half-decent footy? god, you guys will be absolutely wrecked if you meet us in the CL. if you get that far.Gigi_manAt least we get a1-0 as visitors :)Gigi_manat least we get 1 0 as visitors :)Fred Jacob5-0JGAnd now AW is blaming the pitch... oh god...Fred JacobArsenal Players probably get nightmares about park and drogbaevaldoI know I do :(Sonneveldthe good news is that we were away to both man u and to chelsea.

a couple of thoughts.

I hope Martin admits he was wrong about chamakh. he lost almost every header duel and we have no good crossers in the team.

arshavin is the worst, no defensive cover against nani and useless offensively.

bringing skilled players like van persie on is too late if you are down because man u was all back meaning only ugly goals could be scored. If I was manager

van Persie
Nasri(with defensive responsibilities) Rosicky Walcott

anyways, it is ok, this was an away game against a top team. But I do think skilled players should play early not when the other team is closing down all space possible.

Georgedb1First time I've ever seen a player get up angrily, run at a ref, shove and curse at him because of a call, and remain on the field.... and not to mention not even receive a card. That sums up where the refs were this game... good ole united, treated like champions even when they are not... to win at Old Toilet you have to beat the Manure and take the game out of the ref's hands cuz they will always call against you, and in a tie they will play on until Manure score... sh*t game by both teams, Arsenal obviously intimidated at getting almost no calls and certainly off their passing game....Aserejeexcuses won't get us a title but winning mentality is what the players lackWolffyclichy had one defensive lapse the whole game against Nani and it resulted in a goal. Give him a break. He is a good defender, who was trying to handle Man U's most creative player, he did a good job. Why can't we score? Our offense looked abysmal. We were intimidated and had no confidence shame on our offensive players for not stepping up to the plate and taking the game by the scruff of the neck.Georgedb1I agree, one lapse one goal that wasnt intended even by Park. Cant believe that I'm going to say this but, defense was on point, and offense was just not there... the Boys were simply intimidated by the fact that the refs were letting all challenges from Manure players go unpunished... especially Rio who thought this was some sort of Hong Kong cinema movie setWolffyYes the defense wasn't bad. Man U did not have that many chances. They got a lucky goal and packed it in. We were unable to break down there team after conceding. It is a shame we did not come out firing. I think we could have gone up if we showed more confidence in our own abilities. These young players need to stop feeling sorry for themselves and be men. They are a great team, they need to realize that they should expect and deserve to win these kind of games and then play like it.Fred JacobDude he always has a defensive lapsAad966not even one clear cut chance... wat a pathetic performance... after all evra talked abt ur team u wud think they wud reply with a bang.. but ur players just cudnt cut it....AMAZING...gta95i hate to say it but evra was right. at this point in the season we don't have enough to win the big games when we need them. i'm starting to think this isn't our year in the EPL or even the CL

COYG!!!!Fred Jacobthe Bigs games we lose, the small games we barely winevaldoThis team is not good enough. Period... I don't want to hear any if Cesc and RVP were both fit stuff either because it's not like this ManUre team is firing on all cylinders either.

They created nothing. Absolutely nothing. Our two new cbs aren't up to the task either. Squillaci turns as fast an ocean-liner and constantly backs off because he doesn't want to get run past. Kos needs to hit the weights hard in the off-season but I haven't given up on him yet. I think he kind of got thrown into the deep-end due to the verminator's injury.ParcosSorry, this Arsenal is truly just a training center, Evra was right. How come that Arsène Wenger does not seem to learn anything from all the losses against the bigger teams in the deciding matches of a season?
Do you think this side has any chance of winning the CL or EPL? I doubt it very much.
Pathetic, simply pathetic!JGThe unfortunate truth is that you're right. The problem is that Wenger only buys big if we are in danger of failling out of the top 4. We get a top class CB, we win the EPL, period.
Mertesacker?Hummels? David Luiz? Someone competent enough to partner TV5 if/when he comes back.SairaxI wish I had some words of comfort but that was bloody awfulGigi_manok, so these guys have no self respect, they just must be some kind of weird masochists proving Evra right

Didnt see the game, but my gut feeling: AWs era is over.

I for one am gonna take a break, since I am NOT a weird masochistGeorgedb1Break??? the ARSENAL FO LYF win, lose or draw, top four or bottom four, cmon now... this is the same ole Arsenal... exactly what we're signed up for, don't have to like it, but a "break" shouldn't be an option.Gigi_manActually no. I signed in in 96, and the following years were not like this. So, lets agree to disagree and I am taking my break.

So, break for me it is.

Dont get me wrong, I am sure that tomorrow I will be again there and making a lot of reasons why, but not just now.Fred JacobThe shitty players like clichy, Song, Arshivin, Rosiscky and Squillaci needs to go they are not fit to wear the jerseyGigi_manI agree about the shitty players (not so surre if I agree which ones are those).

BUT: I think its time for AW to go, siple and pure.

We all read that it was him allowing Song to play outside the role that made him a good player. He said he was not angry at Arsha, he puts Chesny without experience.

He has done excepional economic moves, but their not exceptional "footballistically" speaking.

Dont get me wrong, I just love the man, but he has been proven wrong, simple and plain.

I am not saying to sack him, but to slowly work a replacement, one big name, unless the owners are not willing to spend, and then I say to them: you will lose fans fellas, you will.Disillusioned!!I've had it. I'm sick of Wenger's talk of rising to it!!! This team cannot win a big game..period!!! I don't believe for one second that we can win anything of importance while Wenger is in charge (Carling Cup, if we're lucky, doesn't count). He won't teach defence and for all his emphasis on attack we're utterly toothless against the big teams! I've almost reached the point of going into Arsenal hibernation and only waking up when Wenger is gone!!Fred JacobWell go right ahead not one will miss you, blaming wengeer when the the players to have not heartPerry S.wenger needs to unleash the funds this january. its time to purchase 2 solid defenders. no more ifs, ands, or buts. i won't go as far as you in calling for wenger's head, he's still our man and he does a fine job with what he has, but its time he has more at his helm. clichy, bendtner or vela, almunia can be sold.evaldoI agree with this but only so long as we aren't ripped off or signing crap players in a rush just to fill a need.RedCapedWonderI feel angry and betrayed. I want to strangle something. Wow, deja vu.JGI expected it. The only way we were going to win if holding the score 0-0 till late and hoping for some Nasri or RVP magic. Sadly the players thought the same thing too.Gigi_manI also expected it, I only wished these guys cared for us, and go nd win...Naive of me...Perry S.*clichy that is.Fred Jacob1) Clichy what a utter waste, cant cross the ball and cant even defend
2) Sebastian Squillaci what the hell is he doing passing the ball to Nani
3) Song always want to go forward and cant even pass
4) Rosticky seems to be making up numbers on or them offers nothing cant even get a shot on target
5) How on earth this man is playing, well the hell is he playing someone please tell me he suppose to be or attacking midfield what the hell is his problem he has to take 20 shots to get one on targetDorbellArshavin sucks!brentonwaltersFuckJGWojo was great, helpless for the goal. New #1? The day Wenger decides to actually splash the cash on a world-class CB is the day we win something meanigful. And Walcott's last gasp shot kind of sums up this Arsenal team of the last 4 years, imo.
At least Rooney didn't score.Perry S.wojo was great, clichy is terrible (still), defense still wins championships. the end.MikeI'm just glad I opted to watch the internet stream instead of taking the afternoon off and watching at home.Perry S.working from home in a tundra-like climate here, and i feel so burnt out after watching that.Phil The DrillJust read a stat that Arsenal has given away a penalty in 5 of our last 8 trips to Old Trafford in league play. Hmmm...brentonwaltersThat was a shit penalty call. I thought Clichy had a good game.Georgedb1That wasn't a penalty call, that was the refs trying to finally put the game away for Manure...CasimirCome on, Arsenal!Perry S.haha oh rooney, you poor cabbage patch head.CasimirWhat a colossal miss by Rooney. Please let the fates be on our side and that will come back to bite them.Perry S.haha this is ridiculous...that wasn't intentional!!!! i can't take this garbage anymore.JGRVP AND CESC TOGETHER. HERE WE GO!!!!!Perry S.fabregas and rvp!!Perry S.clichy needs to come off now, good lord.JGcome on wenger, theo for arhsavin NOWJGplaying much much better so far...SJGgumbyJust another reminder of what's painfully obvious to everyone but Mr. Wenger - our back line (Sagna excluded - potentially including Song as the last midfielder) is a huge liability and holding us back from really competing vs the big boys. But we're still in this game, for which we should feel fortunate.CasimirAt least we're having a bit better possession here and positive play to start this half.Perry S.No more time to waste, bring on Theo and RVP.Perry S.haha that is not deserving of a yellow!JGme thinks Wojo is gettin nervous.....Perry S.he's going to be changing his drawers during the half.CasimirSquiallaci: you can't let a midget beat you for a header. k, thankxPerry S.not much he could have done, the cross should have never happened.Ashwin91Arsenal defence down the drain. :(Perry S.how many times this season are we going to see clichy allow an easy cross to come through? how many times this season are we going to fail to put a body in front of a striker?JGDjourou should have started... :/RedCapedWonderWell. That's that.JGoh man...CasimirWe need to get the ball onto their side of the pitch and try to keep possession. I don't trust our chances defending the whole game.Perry S.Completely agree. We must score the first goal.Edward LyonsSzczesny is impressing alsoPerry S.great headed goal, but wojo made that look prettier than it actually was...yikes.Edward Lyonslooking good so far!!CasimirIs this Howard Webb as the ref too??

::facepalm::Perry S.Lets go Gunners...CasimirOH NO!!!! Szczesny is actually starting!Ashwin91If that's your reaction to him starting, what would it be for Almunia?SJGgumbyI'll also point out that ESPN apparently has no idea what formation we're using, given how they presented our starting lineup.Ashwin91Lol.. which was?SJGgumbyI think they had a 4-3-3, with Rosicky on the right, Song in the middle, and then Wilshire on the left. Nasri, Chamakh and Arshavin were our forwards.SJGgumbyIts up and running on ESPN3. I'm nervous - and by the looks of it, so were our boys lining up in the tunnel.brentonwaltersGood thing my warm-up on TSN2 in Canada was some driving show.JGCOME ON ARSENAL!!!SairaxCOME ON YOU GUNNERS!!Darren_VKos is playing? Sigh.... Here's hoping my sadness is proven drastically wrong and he absolutely shuts down Rooney. Anyways, the biggest worry I have is Clichy vs Nani and how often Clichy's lights will shut off and cost us... So wish Gibbs could stay fit!!
Perry S.the one goal today was a direct result of his ineptitude. sure wish wenger heard our cries.Cashmoneymillionerstime fore Arshavin to take a rest, with his past performances he does even deserve a place on the bench. I will love to see what Theo and Nasri can do togetherguestIs anyone else having trouble locating this game on cable? It is supposed to be on espn2, but my program guide says outside the lines will be on at 3. I'm hoping it's just an error in the guide programing, but is anyone else having this problem? att uverse btw...Perryvsi have a feeling espn doesn't list the soccer games on purpose so people who usually tune in to watch OTL, NFL live, or any other daytime programming they have, stumble upon the game and at least watch for a little bit, trying to promote soccer by fooling the average americanSairaxI've asked around and people are telling me ESPN2 for sure (2:55pm ET)blog comments powered by Disqus