This is a big day for Arsenal because if they lose this it's completely and utterly over for them in the title race.
To be honest, I think it is already because they've lost too many games to lesser teams already this season. That means they need to start doing doubles over the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea, which is obviously going to be tough.
Wenger & Ferguson: contrasting fortunes
Personally I think a draw will be no good for them. They may only be six points behind, but they haven't played any of the big boys yet. When the fixtures came out at the start of the season I couldn't believe how kind the first 10 games were for Arsenal. They should have been running away at the top, but they're nowhere near. In fact they're already behind all of the big boys because they've dropped points against Hull, Stoke, Fulham and Sunderland - all sides who might finish in the bottom half.
Mikael Silvestre, who was a million miles away from getting in United's team, could start for Arsenal. That's how big the gap is between these two sides now.
Paul Merson
Quotes of the week
12noon, Sat, Sky Sports 1&HD1
It seems they haven't got the squad to live with the big boys. As we've seen year in, year out, it only takes one or two big players to be missing and Arsenal don't look half as good.
Despite the clean sheet on Wednesday I still don't think they're strong enough at the back and in the second half they didn't create a single clear-cut chance. I can't remember a 45 minutes like it from Arsenal. Usually when they draw 0-0 at the Emirates you're left scratching your head as to how they didn't get six or seven but that wasn't the case against Fenerbahce. They played some really great football in the first half, but the second half was some of the worst I've seen from them for ages.
Tired
Arsene Wenger says his team look tired. Well footballers get tired very quickly when they're not winning. I've been there myself; if you're winning games every week you never feel jaded.
There was a lot of booing on Wednesday and Arsene Wenger doesn't need that. Don't get me wrong, he has done a great job, but I don't know how long he will carry on with the boos. The days of 'The Invincibles' are long gone and he definitely needs to win something this year. I've said it before, every neutral loves Arsenal - but that's only because they don't win anything. Man United play great football too but nobody likes them because they win all the time.
That's the case again this year and you can safely say that whoever finishes above United will win the league. They're making chances, the front players are looking strong and the back four is as good as any in the world.
Just compare that to Arsenal's back four. One of their starting line-up could be Mikael Silvestre, a player who was a million miles away from getting in United's team. That's how big the gap is between these two sides now and that's why I think United will have no fear going to play Arsenal.
In days gone by, half the Arsenal team would be able to get in the United team, but that's not the case this Saturday. Cesc Fabregas would get in, but I don't know who else would. I wouldn't swap the goalkeeper and I wouldn't swap Vidic and Ferdinand. I'm big fans of Van Persie, Adebayor and Walcott but would they get in ahead of Rooney, Berbatov and Ronaldo? Not really.
I think Man United will be going there looking to win, not just looking to come away with a draw. Arsenal looked nervous at times on Wednesday and if they don't score first then United could pick them off and score two or three goals.
PAUL'S PREDICTION
Arsenal won't win - I simply can't see Arsenal winning. If Arsenal score first it will be 1-1, but if Man United score first I can see it being 2-0 or 3-0 as they pick Arsenal off when they attack.
MERSON'S MAGIC MAN
Arsenal's central defenders - With the injury situation, we don't know who will be playing centre-half for Arsenal but whoever it is will have to play extremely well to keep Rooney and Berbatov quiet.
Comments (46)
Zamzuri Che hussain (Arsenal fan) says...
See, everything reveals with superb performance by Samir Nasri, that one can't deny. credit to him for beautiful strike against Red Devils. It absolutely prove it that Arsenal team still be thirsty and commit for silverware for this season. We'll wait and see after January transfer window what does He(Arsene) can do for his team. I believe with this win over Man United, Arsenal team will lift up their spirit for the next game hopes this performance could be something to the overall team performance. Long live Arsenal & Arsene Wenger
Posted 15:57 8th November 2008
Gary Singh (Liverpool fan) says...
As seen today now everyone can understand football better. it doesnt matter whether you have a team that has under-performed before a vital game. It all matters about what happens on that day. whether the team can look inside themselves and push themselves to do better. You can throw everything out the window when it comes between two teams like arsenal vs manu because it all matters about the tactics, the grit, and luck. So what if manu have a better squad than arsenal do. It doesnt mean anything in this game because its all about whethere the players can step up on the "day". just as it has happened with arsenal, manu was the team that lost today. so next time a fixture like this comes up, its not all about stats, squads and form. Its all about which team has the heart and grit. Carpe diem.
Posted 15:34 8th November 2008
Mathew Ogunjinrin (Arsenal fan) says...
Predictions are not always right - its only a personal opinion and most are based on the current situation at the time such is being made. When Arsenal keep playing beautiful football with good results to show, people sing their praises but the moment it goes wrong, you start hearing all sorts of things. Arsenal and Wenger remains my fan whatever happens. Do not write Arsenal off based on the current climate because it may be dangerous. Thinks of this - Arsenal started well last season and gave in at the very end due to injuries and bad referee decisions. We have started poorly this season and the reverse of last season might be the case this time around. I CAN ONLY SAY EVERYONE MIGHT BE IN FOR A VERY BIG SURPRISE FROM THE YOUNG LADS.
Posted 15:33 8th November 2008
Nagajan Modhvadia (Arsenal fan) says...
Hey Nihil Morjaria i agree with you but not totally , wouldnt what your saying would be the same as if Man Utd lost Ronaldo and Ferdinand they would be in Uefa Cup? All we need is our cofidence back, in the words of Andy Gray "Class is permenant , Form in Temporary"
Posted 11:44 8th November 2008
Barry Herron (Everton fan) says...
Only 1 thing wrong with this column, neutrals like Arsenal?????? not anywhere I have been, and not as long as the manager continues to blame all losses on the referees, the other teams cheating, the weather, the gods and anything else other than himself and his players
Posted 10:53 8th November 2008
Marko Maksimovic (Arsenal fan) says...
I believe that Man Utd are a strong team and so are arsenal but Man Utd have a fit squad but Arsenal have injuries.... You are wrong about Arsenal players who could play in the United lineup, Sagna, Clichy, Fabregas, Walcott, Nasri, Van Persie and Adebayor all have the quality.... I can see both teams could win but it would be so Arsneal to beat United after sloppy performances against smaller teams... Never write the opposition off.... many teams fall by doing that.... it will be a close game today... with lots of scraps and every ball will be contedted for and a single moment of brilliance could change the match....
Posted 10:12 8th November 2008
David Rickards (Arsenal fan) says...
I was unfortunate to be at the Emirates on Wednesday to witness one of the worst performances ever....First half started well and it looked like Arsenal would score a handful of goals against a team that had no direction.....but with Van persie needing eight chances to score one goal it soon became obvious that it was going to be another frustrating evening!!! When you struggle to score and have to rely on attacking defenders (Toure and Cliche) to assist a weak midfield and provide service to the attackers we will always run the risk of conceeding - especially to the better teams! I think it is niave of the Arsenal board to expect to compete at the highest level with no investment in the squad....yes the stadium is a crucial step forward to build for the future but without the key players to attract the corporate sponsorship etc we are set for a steady decline. I am arsenal through and through and there is no doubt that i and many others will be there whatever but the arsenal board of directors must make the investment in players and it is so obvious that Arsene can not create a world class "winning" team without the funds to compete with the other big teams. Bring in attacking players like pires, edu, flamini, hleb and parlour to take the reliance of the defenders to take big risks at the back. Arsenal on paper cannot win today but i and many thousands of other fans will be there cheering them on and lets hope for a miracle.
Posted 09:20 8th November 2008
Leo Teo (Arsenal fan) says...
Arsene Wenger is doing an excellent job in developing football game. He brought a lot talent and quality to football field and his contribution to EPL should never be a doubt.Coming into this game, none of the gooner should be negative as no matter how many points we are behind at this stage, Arsene's miracle always work and don't forget everyone was writing us off before we rocked 2/3 of the season and just unfortunate slipping off at the end. This time we are far behind at the begining and who knows, maybe Arsene will do it other way round. Arsene know best!!
Posted 04:53 8th November 2008
Nihil Morjaria (Manchester United fan) says...
Utd are better than arsenal in every department. Take away Fabregas, Adebayor(although he's inconsistent) and Kolo Toure, Arsenal would be in the UEFA Cup. People say Utd would be nothing without Ronaldo. True, he is a key player, but not the only world class player. We also have Rooney, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Scholes, Berba and Giggs. And on top of that rotation/back-up players like Tevez, Nani, Anderson and Fletcher. They would walk into most Prem teams. Arsenal? They have ermmmm......Silvestre, Djouru and Denilson. They are not going to cause teams like Utd major trouble. Most of Arsenals youngsters would crumble over the pressure of playing against Utd. 4-1 Utd.
Posted 16:34 7th November 2008
Olawunmi Raji (Manchester United fan) says...
Thank you guys for your comments. They are all facts of what is on the ground but at times football is more than 1 + 1 = 2. It depends on tactics and approach to the game. I don't always predict the outcome of games between the top 4. In this kind of game(Arsenal/Man U), pride and image trigger the tempo. Being a man utd fan, it will be good to have the 3 points in the bag but i know it is not going to be easy. They are all professionals. Let us enjoy the game and let the performance in the 90 minutes do the justice.
Posted 16:33 7th November 2008
Olusola Arowa (Manchester United fan) says...
Predictions are very difficult to make but on paper Man U is almost twice as strong as Arsenal this season. I give the match to United.
Posted 16:18 7th November 2008
Tade Oke-egbe (Manchester United fan) says...
Hi Paul, gr8 article as usual! Arsenal do look lightweight across the team but as we've seen recently with Spurs and recently Roma, a bad run doesnt immediately translate to a loss in BIG games and they don't come any bigger in the Prems. Arsenal might lose this one but they still will be in the running for the title and it all depends on who brings what to the game. Go for it United!
Posted 16:18 7th November 2008
Chris Braimah (Manchester United fan) says...
Honestly speaking from Nairobi,United only need to play with thier reserve team,we don't have a match.Yes Arsenal is not at thier best this season and should respect the BIG CHAMPIONS of Europe.We deserve nothing less than 3-0 at Emirates
Posted 16:10 7th November 2008
Chris Williams (Manchester United fan) says...
Arsenal have faces missing but we have managed with some injuries too they can't use that as an excuse, they went into the season with a small squad, then Mr Wenger moaned Stoke injured his players on purpose, pathetic! If Arsenal have any chance of getting a result they will need to play like Celtic did, I wonder if Arsenal with use a 4-5-1 and defend and play on the counter attack like most of the teams he plays against and don't play 'beatufial football' because if they play like he likes them to play I expect like likes of Ronaldo, Carrick, Rooney and Berbatov will pick them out, we also have reinforcments like Tevez, I feel we are way to strong for them, we have a great defence and apart from the last couple of games we kept 7 clean sheets, I predict 3-0 to Man Utd and maybe more if the heads go down, it will take massive performances from Arsenals defence and midfeild to prevent that.. They have no Adebayour, Wallcott, Van Pirsie, they lost Flamini and Hleb, Arsenals problems go on..
Posted 16:09 7th November 2008
Kim Min sung (Manchester United fan) says...
I think Man U will beat gunners Because gunners have many injury players and they are very tired due to their schedule. These days Rooney's condition is really good But last week at Old Trafford Hull vs Man utd Man utd scored 4 goals but 3 goals allowed. Neverthless Man utd gain 3 points at Emirates Stadium Come on Reds!! Reds go marching on on on!!!
Posted 16:09 7th November 2008
Miha Zupancic (Manchester United fan) says...
I don't think that you should write arsenal off so soon. After all Wenger is a an exellent manager, and they do have a lot of talent - they just need a few good results in a row. As for the game - as it's always the case in derby games, it's not just about the general form, it depends who has a better day. i'm sure that arsenal will put a 120% effort in the game, and if the fans get behind them (and im sure that against utd they will) , they will be a tough nut to crack. Manchester will certainly need to put the most consistent peformance of the season, if they are to take 3 points from emirates. And while i obviously hope that we win big, i can see it ending 2-1 for us, or maybe even a draw.
Posted 16:08 7th November 2008
Andy Cox (Arsenal fan) says...
Yes arsenal have not been great over the last week or so and yes against stoke it was poor and wenger has accepted this ,,But thats where it ends hull had one of those games and the spurs game was just ur average derby game when anything can happen.i think people read far to many papers and believe all the hype about arsenal being a poor side and what have you,last season we were told we had no chance but yet we nearly won it but only to be robbed by injuries to key players at key times.so im just really fed up with people going on all the time if you were any sort of a gooner you should look at some history of wenger and the situations he has been in and take note,,its time you get behind the arsenal and start supporting them instead of being negative,,,as we say ARSENE KNOWS!!!!!!!
Posted 15:19 7th November 2008
Camad Misra (Arsenal fan) says...
I don't completely agree with Merson's views. Yes, Wenger needs something to show in the silverware column, but his players are world class players. The exits of the likes of Hleb, Flamini and Gilberto can make the best sides look pale......Last season they rocked till the last two-three months, when they showed tiredness....the same is happening at the beginning of this season. So its too early to make a call, even 10 points behind the scale and with half of the season left, I think this crop of players can still do the business for Wenger.
Posted 14:56 7th November 2008
Hasan Al rahma (Manchester United fan) says...
I think that the absence of Adebayor and Van Persie will finally drive Arsenal to defend in their ground and keeping the game tight. Therefore, maybe the lack of strikers can play in Arsenal's side, because if they had all their striking force, they will go out to attack and may suffer from a strong counter attack.
Posted 14:50 7th November 2008
Marcus Glazebrook (Arsenal fan) says...
This is going to be one of those seasons that we struggle against "lesser sides" and do very well against the big boys. It would be typical of us to follow up a woeful performance at Stoke and beat Man U. But it is what i think will happen. It will help those front players coming in have something to prove. We'll probably play with a midfield 5, but i'd love to see a surprise start for Vela, alongside Bendtner, as it could prove a master stroke. I can already see or season unfolding into sheer frustration in the league but a very good CL run again. Wenger needs to bring in some faces
Posted 14:50 7th November 2008
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