Adam Dennehey WAFU manager
Arsenal’s darkest day last season without a question of a doubt was their defeat at Old Trafford.
On that day an inexperienced and downbeat side were simply outclassed by Manchester United who like great teams do, took full advantage and ruthlessly destroyed them.
A year later Arsenal come into this fixture on the back of a stunning 7-5 comeback win over Reading in the League Cup. It was only a win in the so-called ‘Mickey Mouse’ cup but the manner of the win and the fact they’ve had a good start to the season (despite losing two league games last month) could spell trouble for United.
Confidence in any shape of life is a priceless commodity and Arsenal after their performances this season will go into tomorrow’s game confident of pulling of an upset, not that they will be seeing it as that. It will simply be just another game for them, although of course any Arsenal player suggesting that they wouldn’t have been thinking about last year’s match is lying.
Even the players who weren’t involved in that match like Lukas Podolksi and Santi Carzola will be thinking of that result and trying to help their new team-mates atone for last season’s humiliation.
Should Arsenal win tomorrow it will confirm that Arsene Wenger’s side can seriously mount a title-challenge this year. A win tomorrow will be for them their Everest and after climbing the biggest mountain they will feel only more confident and stronger in their abilities.
Of course though United despite their defensive frailties are not Reading.
After last season’s match at home to Everton when they secured a draw when the game was ‘wrapped up’ if they are in a secure-looking lead they will not want to give a team the slightest bit of hope of a comeback, as even the slightest bit of pressure can make a team crumble allowing more mistakes to occur.
United will need to get on top of the game as quickly as possible. Stopping the dynamic duo of Mikel Arteta and Carzola in midfield will go some way to winning the game so it will be important to see who Sir Alex Ferguson selects in central-midfield as Anderson’s bright performance at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday could well see him selected ahead of Tom Cleverley.
Aside from Theo Walcott, Arsenal have very little width in their side and this can allow United’s wingers to attack their full-backs and put balls into the area, which will trouble their defence and keeper Vito Mannone whom has a weakness when dealing with crosses.
By Adam Dennehey @ADennehey87
