Arsenal FC – Looking To Layoff Old Trafford Marker On Sunday

By Guest Author
11 years Ago

Aaron Ramsey - Arsenal midfielder | Premier League talking points

It was a significant victory in many ways. In fact, it would not be an exaggeration to call it an epic win. For starters, Arsenal had lost their last 2 ai???bigai??? games-against Dortmund at home and Chelsea in the Capital One Cup- at the Emirates and needed to buck the trend. The general impression was that Arsenal remained at the top of the table because of an easier fixture list and that they would slip down once the ai???big matchesai??? and the ai???big teamsai??? came calling. The aforementioned losses were cited as a proof for this premise. These three games were considered true tests of Arsenalai??i??s title challenge and their ability to handle top-class European opposition. Two-thirds into the challenge, Arsenal have defied the sceptics to emerge with their reputation enhanced.

The stakes are high ahead of the United game

In what should be construed as a team maturing, Arsenal recorded two victories of extreme importance in very contrasting styles. First, the win against Liverpool was one of the more convincing performances of the season. It must be remembered that injuries to Podolski, Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlian meant that Arsenal had virtually zero bench strength in terms of attack. The defence had to deal with the deadliest strike force in the Premier League; there were doubts over whether Mikel Arteta would be able to handle defensive responsibilities-a job he has done very well over the past two seasons- in the absence of Flamini.Ai??In the end, they emerged convincing winners, courtesy of goals by Santi Cazorla and the irrepressible Aaron Ramsey-with Mikel Arteta doing a stellar job shielding the defence. What would have pleased Arsene Wenger more was the level of control his team exerted over the game. Barring the first 15 minutes, Arsenal’s midfield completely dominated Liverpool’s midfield, with Arsenal’s “wingers”, Santi Cazorla and Thomas Rosicky, cutting inside frequently and giving the likes of Gerrard, Lucas and Henderson a harrowing time with their relentless energy and quick passing.

After the Napoli game, this was probably the first game at home in which Arsenal exhibited near-total control. Contrast this with the epic win achieved at the Westfalenstadion and you can see that there is a real resilience about the team. At Dortmund, Arsenal rarely hit their stride. Dortmundai??i??s relentless pressing meant that Arsenal were stifled in the midfield area and they lacked precision in the final third. But, Arsenal remained cautious with the defensive pairing of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny standing tall amidst relentless pressure and Ramsey and Arteta dropping deep to help shore up the defence. And then, in the 62^nd minute, Arsenal took the lead as Ozil dinked the ball to Giroud whose header set up Aaron Ramsey(that man again) to guide the ball to the bottom corner.

Once they got the goal, Arsenal produced a performance of such control and maturity that it deserves the highest praise. To keep Dortmund at bay- who had won every home game this season and had not failed to score at home in the last 60 games- is no mean task. But Arsenal were rock solid in defence and produced some dangerous spells of attacking play that would have seen them double the lead. It was also a testament to Arsene Wengerai??i??s tactical nous-something he is accused of lacking- as he constantly prowled the touchline giving out instructions. Nacho Monrealai??i??s substitution was especially crucial as he shut out Dortmundai??i?? right side, where most of the home sideai??i??s attacking forays were coming from.

Now Arsenal head to Old Trafford with confidence coursing through their veins. They know that a victory here would lay down a marker as to where the title rice would be heading. Critics have so far held a dim view of Arsenalai??i??s early season surge to the top of the table-understandably so-but the previous two wins have forced everyone to take them seriously. That this is a high stakes game has been recognized by both the sides. After 2006, Arsenalai??i??s visits to Old Trafford have been fairly tepid affairs, with United rolling the Gunners over far too easily. Be it the 8-2 loss or last seasonai??i??s timid 2-1 surrender, Arsenal have looked bereft of confidence at Old Trafford.

Things could be different this time. While Unitedai??i??s problems under Moyes have been well documented, the game has gained an edge even before a ball has been kicked if comments from both side are anything to go by. Even before Arsenal won at Dortmund, Wayne Rooney chipped in by casting doubts over Arsenalai??i??s staying power. They always fade in February and March, he said. The comment was a bit disingenuous in that Arsenal have rarely been challenging for the top spot in February and March; in fact, itai??i??s their form during February and March that has taken them to 4^th spot in the last couple of seasons. Arsene Wenger said as much in his pre-match press conference. Aaron Ramsey, too, has been pretty vocal about how Arsenal believe they can get a result at Old Trafford.

Rooney continued this verbal jousting by saying that Arsenal must be sick of his sight, pointing to his prolific goal scoring record against the Gunners. Ryan Giggs, too, joined in by saying that Manchester United are always the favourites at Old Trafford. Interestingly, Arsene Wenger took this verbal jousting to another level in his customary pre-match press conference. Pointing out that he and Sir Alex shared a more ai???pacificai??? relationship, he took a dig at the influence Sir Alex had on referees by quipping, ai???I think the referees were absolutely relaxed and happy to go there.ai??? When asked what was the difference without Sir Alex, he once again said, ai???That’s a question you shouldn’t ask me but the referees.”

He also pooh-poohed Sir Alexai??i??s claim in his autobiography that his persuasive powers convinced Arsene Wenger to sell Robin Van Persie. Instead, Arsene Wenger pointed to the presence and influence of ai???a Dutch coachai???, presumably Rene Mulensteen. The fact of the matter is that United look vulnerable and the rivals are eager to pounce on it. Even Jose Mourinho said that a loss would push United to the edge, before adding the caveat that ai???United is United.ai???

Manchester United have always played spoilsport with Arsenalai??i??s unbeaten runs. In 2005, they ended Arsenalai??i??s 49 game unbeaten streak with a 2-0 win, in an acrimonious game that ended with the now famous ai???Pizza Gateai???. In 2007, United drew 2-2 at the Emirates, ending Arsenalai??i??s 100% winning record at the Emirates. Now, Arsenal are on a 15-match unbeaten streak away from home. It remains to be seen whether they can stop them again.

Categories: Arsenal FC, Features

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