Nicholas: tipping Arsenal to win

You can't get better than Manchester United v Arsenal. You put it against any other big game - Real Madrid v Barcelona, Inter v AC Milan - I don't think they are close to this. I don't think there is a more interesting game than this across the world.

Charlie Nicholas
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Arsenal v Man Utd
12pm, Saturday, Sky Sports 1

Charlie Nicholas reckons Saturday's tussle between Manchester United and Arsenal is the ultimate clash in world football.

Nicholas rates Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson as the best managers in the game and with both sides playing exciting and open football, he can't imagine a better match anywhere on the planet.

He told skysports.com: "In terms of attacking philosophies, here we have two managers who believe in exposing the expressive side of the game and we have two teams who are at the very height of their form. So I would say this is probably the ultimate clash between two giants for the last three or four years.

"I think the excitement reached a peak when Arsenal outplayed a class Liverpool side so dramatically at Anfield last weekend, even though they only got a point.

"Manchester United have got an agenda, which is to keep it solid at the back, but they've got five or six attacking players that can make things happen.

"It's very, very similar in focus to Arsenal. That is why this is probably the most high-quality game that I can remember.

"You can't get better than this. You put it against any other big game - Real Madrid v Barcelona, Inter v AC Milan - I don't think they are close to this. I don't think there is a more interesting game than this across the world.

"I'm not sure it's better than a Glasgow derby because those games are so unique, but in terms of top teams in world football, I think Manchester United v Arsenal is the ultimate clash.

"It's so hard to pick a winner. I'm Arsenal, but I speak to Gordon McQueen every weekend and he'll be Man United. But you're really tossing a coin to say who can win this because they are two fantastic footballing sides."

Critical

Nicholas feels neither side would be critically damaged in the title race if they were to lose on Saturday, but insists an Arsenal victory could inspire the young Gunners to believe they have what it takes to win the league.

"Everybody is looking at Arsenal to see what will happen when they get their first hit and it hasn't happened yet," he continued.

"But I don't think psychology-wise it's too damaging for either side to lose.

"Manchester United could still come back from a defeat, they always do. But if Arsenal get beaten it wouldn't be a damaging blow either because they can still go back to the top of the league if they win their game in hand.

"So it's not make or break if someone loses, but what I would say is that if Arsenal win, it would give them so much belief.

"The class, the style and the talent is already there and it may help to convince them what they can achieve. It would show that they are ready, willing and hungry to go and win the Premier League."

Nicholas has noticed the lack of psychological warfare between the two managers ahead of the game and feels that they are both focused on producing fantastic football instead.

"There hasn't been many mind games this time around. Jose Mourinho has tried to get to them both in the past and we miss that to some extent," he added.

Entertainment

"But I think the two managers are so determined to produce entertainment of the highest level.

"Fergie was at the game at Anfield last week and he knows the talent Arsenal have and he appreciates that.

"So does Wenger and the respect carries over. Both managers will be able to say both teams are wonderful, classic footballing teams. It doesn't need any psychology.

"If anything, it's the pundits and the fans who are getting overly excited about it, rather than the managers. It's not necessary for them."

Former Gunners star Nicholas is unsurprisingly tipping his old team for victory in what he expects to be a high-scoring game.

But while he thinks there will be plenty of goals, he insists the defensive-minded Mathieu Flamini will be the man to watch.

"I'll go for Arsenal to win, which won't surprise a lot of people," he concluded. "I think there will be goals and I can see a 3-2 to Arsenal

"The player I'm going to pick out is perhaps an unfamiliar one in Mathieu Flamini. I think he's the most improved player in the Premier League. I think he appreciates Cesc Fabregas and all the others around him.

"I think Flamini's position will influence a game. His technical control is much improved and I genuinely see him as the key player for Arsenal more than the likes of Fabregas, Adebayor and those exciting players. Flamini is the guy, who can catch the eye."