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Arsenal V Manchester United Preview
Published by Ian John on January 29, 2010
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Sunday sees one of the biggest games of the season kick off at the Emirates Stadium as Arsenal host Manchester United in what is being viewed as a game that could well decide the title aspirations of both sides.
Certainly for Arsenal, given their draw at Aston Villa in the week, three points is a must if they are to keep on the tails of Manchester United and Chelsea at the top of the EPL. After having a fantastic run of form, Arsene Wenger’s men have stuttered at times in recent games and the Frenchman will know that such lapses in form would prove to be their undoing against a side as talented as Manchester United. United meanwhile will be buoyed by coming into the game on the back of two excellent results, the Rooney inspired 4-0 demolition of Hull City on Saturday followed by a last gasp victory over rivals Manchester City in the Carling Cup semi final that has already booked United a place at Wembley.
One piece of good news for Arsenal fans though is that Danish international striker Nicklas Bendtner is close to a return and while he may not start the game against United, he should be involved at some point. There is also speculation that Sol Campbell could line up in defence alongside William Gallas for this crucial game in what would be an amazing gamble by Arsene Wenger, especially when Campbell is likely to be coming up against a rampant and in form Wayne Rooney. For Manchester United, Anderson’s off the field antics seem to have ruled him out of the side for the foreseeable future, if not forever, which means that Park Ji Sung, so often a favourite of Sir Alex Ferguson in these tough away fixtures, may get a rare start in midfield alongside Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick. Nani could well keep his place in the side thanks to his impressive form of late but all eyes will be on Wayne Rooney and whether the England man can keep up his astonishing form of the past few games.
It has all the ingredients to be a classic encounter. Arsenal will know that three points is a must from the game, not only to deny United the chance to move further ahead of them, but to also reel in Chelsea, who have seemingly a simple fixture on the road at Burnley. A draw would perhaps not be the end of the world for either team, but if Chelsea manage to take all three points at Turf Moor, neither team would be happy at the Blues gaining ground on them and also having games in hand to move well clear at the summit of the Premier League.
In contrast to the blood and thunder affair of Wednesday night, or the relatively simple stroll in the park of last Saturday, United will find themselves in a very different type of game. One where Arsenal and the inimitable Cesc Fabregas will seek to prob, prod and pull apart the questionable United rearguard with their clever passing and sublime movement. At the other end of the pitch, it will be Rooney’s strength and power, combined with the energy and creativity of the midfielders and wingers alongside him that will decide United’s fate on the day.
The scene is set for a classic, for once this is a game that should live up to the hype.
Image Courtesy of ***premierleagueinsider*** at Flickr.com
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