Gone are the days when Man Utd vs Arsenal was the rivalry of rivalries. The managers have calmed down with age but it still remains one of the most anticipated matches of the season. iSporter Pulasta Dhar analyses how United ripped apart Arsenal….
Roy Keane will be extremely proud of the way Carrick and Fletcher put up a show reminiscent about the way he used to boss midfield. Cesc Fabregas was pinpointed by Sir Alex himself as the main threat to his squad and I myself touted him as the one man Arsenal cannot do without. But the way United blocked every move of his and gave him very little space was testimony to formation I despise…the 4-5-1.
Paul Scholes was slowing up play brilliantly while the other two central midfielders were bang on the Spaniard playmaker, which allowed Arshavin and Nasri some space early on. But they never really were a force to reckon with. Without van Persie, Arsenal go till the final third but do not have the ability to execute the move.
Rafael is another player who deserves to be mentioned in this article. The boy has been given great opportunities over Gary Neville and he has shined. Apart from the occasional crazy tackle and a dismal record where yellow cards are concerned, the wing back has proven a handful for any opposing wide player. United did not have both of their first choice centre backs in the line-up and Evans and Brown were impeccable on a night they needed to perform.
Nani started out on the right wing and did a wonderful trick to go in between two defenders, shimmied past Fabregas and dinked the ball over Almunia in what was a great run and a finish which could be called a cross. Arsenal were down-hearted at once and paid in quick succession as another counter from Nani and Rooney ended up with an unbelievable burst of acceleration from the no.10 followed by a super finish across his body.
It was uphill for Arsenal since then and the second half did not impress either. Arsenal looked far from the team they can be and succumbed to numerous attacks from United, who were looking for their third. It came in the form of Ji-Sung Park finishing after another swift counter-attack from the red brigade. As soon as Man Utd took a breather Arsenal found a much needed goal from a brilliant volley from likely scorer Thomas Vermaelen. 10 more minutes of intense pressure on the United defense did not give them anything to cheer about and the game ended with roaring travelling fans from Manchester.
Wayne Rooney is still the man in top form and he proved why United Chief Executive Davig Gill said the previous night, “We will never sell Rooney”. I would again re-iterate my desire to see a player worth 30 million pounds on the field and not on the bench. Also, when Ferguson picks a 5 man midfield, it means he expects not to win which is not a good sign.
As for Arsenal, the Gunners have to pick themselves up. The players are no doubt some of the best young talent in the world but unless you win trophies, no one remembers you. As a United fan, this was a must-win situation to stay in the fight for the league and I’m still singing ‘Glory Glory’!
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