“I don’t believe too much in history. I just believe in the performance on the day. At the moment, we are doing very well away from home. The size of the pitch is exactly the same everywhere, it’s just down to how much we turn up and how much effort we put in to win the game.”
And I think most Arsenal fans can relate to the second part. History is history, we all know statistics can be twisted to prove any point. Every game is a new game, a new chance, a new opportunity.
And let's be honest, we all think United aren't up to scratch this season. Even their fans admit it. They don't demonstrate anything that even remotely approaches the form of the title holders of 2013.
It's our performance we are worked up about. Whether we turn up or not. It's the self-destruct button Arsenal sometimes press and often flirt with that will keep the fans awake at night prior to the game. Schrödinger's Arsenal.
Team news update
We have lost Gabriel in our clash against QPR:
"Gabriel has a little hamstring injury and he will be out for two to three weeks. He has a scan today. That means he’s not available for the weekend and certainly not for West Ham United or Monaco, but after that he should be available again."
Which is sad both for the player, who has finally found his way into the starting XI, and for us, because I, for one, am not so sure about Mertesacker's abilities anymore. However, I also don't think he's a liability. Bottom line is, he's a very good backs-to-the-wall defender, but struggles when we adopt a high defensive line. So whether his frailties will be exposed against United depends on what approach we take.
Szczesny and Monreal, meanwhile, both have sustained slight injures, though both have a chance to be back:
"Nacho Monreal might come back. He will have a test. Szczesny will also have a test. If he comes through, he will play on Monday".
Nacho's injury finally explains why he didn't play the last three games. Out of these three the Spaniard only made the bench for the Monaco game. However, Nacho will now face an uphill battle to regain his spot in the starting eleven. Gibbs did okay against Everton and was very solid against QPR, so I won't be surprised to see the Englishman start even with a fit Monreal.
But I have my reservations about Szczesny and secretly hope he won't make it. Ospina has been a calm and solid presence in every game he's played. He didn't make rash decisions, had no downright blunders and has a calming effect on our defense. Hope he plays.
The approach
I'm really interested in which one we'll adopt. Do we seize the ball and try to suffocate United in their half:
“But overall I still think it is very important that the sport rewards people and teams who take initiative.”
Or do we try and pull off a City? I somehow think it's the latter. We know United have difficulties breaking up organised defenses, so I suggest we give the ball to them and play on the break. We have seen how this approach can be deadly if done right. Moreover, it will suit Mertesacker better. I don't think Arsene will risk playing Chambers alongside Bellerin so that he can adopt a high defensive line. It's way too risky fielding two 19-year-olds. Any miscommunication can prove quite costly indeed.
One last argument in favour for this theory. Arsene played this way not only against City, but also against Tottenham. It's not like we couldn't try and take the initiative at White Hart Lane, yet Wenger opted for a more cautious strategy. United are hardly worse than Tottenham.
So, if we assume Arsene adopts this approach, here's how I think we'll line up.
The defense
Bellerin-Mertesacker-Koscielny-Monreal. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Monreal looks a better backs-to-the-wall full-back than Gibbs. Besides, we'll have a romping right-back in Bellerin on the other side, so I think it's important to balance him out with somebody more conservative.
The midfield
Coquelin-Ramsey-Ozil. Another controversial decision here. And once again, this midfield looks more balanced to me than the one with Cazorla for Ramsey. Santi has been brilliant recently, but he's not a conventional number 8 and United will try to exploit this weakness, especially if we play "defense first". And no, I don't consider dropping Ozil to make room for Cazorla.
The attack
Oxlade-Alexis-Giroud. Yes, I know Arsene bigged up Welbeck during his press-conference, but dropping Giroud on this form will be mad. The Frenchman doesn't bury all his chances, however:
And I think most Arsenal fans can relate to the second part. History is history, we all know statistics can be twisted to prove any point. Every game is a new game, a new chance, a new opportunity.
And let's be honest, we all think United aren't up to scratch this season. Even their fans admit it. They don't demonstrate anything that even remotely approaches the form of the title holders of 2013.
It's our performance we are worked up about. Whether we turn up or not. It's the self-destruct button Arsenal sometimes press and often flirt with that will keep the fans awake at night prior to the game. Schrödinger's Arsenal.
Team news update
We have lost Gabriel in our clash against QPR:
"Gabriel has a little hamstring injury and he will be out for two to three weeks. He has a scan today. That means he’s not available for the weekend and certainly not for West Ham United or Monaco, but after that he should be available again."
Which is sad both for the player, who has finally found his way into the starting XI, and for us, because I, for one, am not so sure about Mertesacker's abilities anymore. However, I also don't think he's a liability. Bottom line is, he's a very good backs-to-the-wall defender, but struggles when we adopt a high defensive line. So whether his frailties will be exposed against United depends on what approach we take.
Szczesny and Monreal, meanwhile, both have sustained slight injures, though both have a chance to be back:
"Nacho Monreal might come back. He will have a test. Szczesny will also have a test. If he comes through, he will play on Monday".
Nacho's injury finally explains why he didn't play the last three games. Out of these three the Spaniard only made the bench for the Monaco game. However, Nacho will now face an uphill battle to regain his spot in the starting eleven. Gibbs did okay against Everton and was very solid against QPR, so I won't be surprised to see the Englishman start even with a fit Monreal.
But I have my reservations about Szczesny and secretly hope he won't make it. Ospina has been a calm and solid presence in every game he's played. He didn't make rash decisions, had no downright blunders and has a calming effect on our defense. Hope he plays.
The approach
I'm really interested in which one we'll adopt. Do we seize the ball and try to suffocate United in their half:
“But overall I still think it is very important that the sport rewards people and teams who take initiative.”
Or do we try and pull off a City? I somehow think it's the latter. We know United have difficulties breaking up organised defenses, so I suggest we give the ball to them and play on the break. We have seen how this approach can be deadly if done right. Moreover, it will suit Mertesacker better. I don't think Arsene will risk playing Chambers alongside Bellerin so that he can adopt a high defensive line. It's way too risky fielding two 19-year-olds. Any miscommunication can prove quite costly indeed.
One last argument in favour for this theory. Arsene played this way not only against City, but also against Tottenham. It's not like we couldn't try and take the initiative at White Hart Lane, yet Wenger opted for a more cautious strategy. United are hardly worse than Tottenham.
So, if we assume Arsene adopts this approach, here's how I think we'll line up.
The defense
Bellerin-Mertesacker-Koscielny-Monreal. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Monreal looks a better backs-to-the-wall full-back than Gibbs. Besides, we'll have a romping right-back in Bellerin on the other side, so I think it's important to balance him out with somebody more conservative.
The midfield
Coquelin-Ramsey-Ozil. Another controversial decision here. And once again, this midfield looks more balanced to me than the one with Cazorla for Ramsey. Santi has been brilliant recently, but he's not a conventional number 8 and United will try to exploit this weakness, especially if we play "defense first". And no, I don't consider dropping Ozil to make room for Cazorla.
The attack
Oxlade-Alexis-Giroud. Yes, I know Arsene bigged up Welbeck during his press-conference, but dropping Giroud on this form will be mad. The Frenchman doesn't bury all his chances, however:
- his current conversion rate is 20%. Not bad for 12 million and definitely not bad for the BPL. People in Spain struggle to get such a high completion rate (Sanchez, for example, was third last season, just behind Messi and Ronaldo and had something like 21-22%)
- he arguably is a more complete striker than Welbeck. His finishing is way better, but his hold-up play, distribution and positioning are also far superior to these of Danny
Alexis and Oxlade, meanwhile, are our best wingers for the occasion. Walcott is a less keen defender than Oxlade, while I'm a strong believer Welbeck is not a winger at all. In my opinion he should either be used as a focal point or shouldn't be used at all.
The verdict
“We go to Manchester United to qualify and to give absolutely everything. That’s the target of the day - hard work, team effort and to give absolutely everything. Both teams will do that and I believe it could be a very interesting game."
I hope it will be interesting in a sense that we rip them apart 5-0 with Welbeck scoring all five and celebrating in front of Van Gaal, but, of course, this won't happen.
We are in for a tough game and our opponents will be not so much United players as ourselves. We most definitely have a psychological issue with United and there's only one thing we can do about it: go there and win. By hook or crook. Anyhow. I'll take a scrappy 1-0 with the goal coming in the 89th minute. The key is not how we do it, but that we just do it.
Come on you Gunners.
Back with a review
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