This Monday morning (AEST), Arsenal and Manchester United will write another chapter in their Premier League rivalry. With the sides within three points of each other in the top four, this match has serious implications.
Louis van Gaal’s team have hit form since the arrival of young Frenchman Anthony Martial, winning three league games in a row to lead the table at the end of a round for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge.
United started the season struggling to put the ball in the back of the net, and Wayne Rooney is still in some of the worst form of his career, but as a unit they have put those dilemmas behind them. Three goals in each of their last three Premier League wins sees United as the form team in the competition, with Tottenham close behind.
Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal had their best result of the season with a 5-2 victory away to Leicester City last week, and Arsenal fans were ecstatic at the performance of hat-trick hero Alexis Sanchez.
The Gunners had an end-to-end battle with Leicester and although the final score may not do the competitiveness of the match justice, Wenger’s side are now one win behind Manchester United in the top four.
It was the perfect way to bounce back from Arsenal’s bitter loss to Chelsea the week before and fans will be buoyed by their team’s success up front, including the continuing improvement of Theo Walcott in the striker’s role.
Most recently, in the UEFA Champions League, Arsenal fell to Greek side Olympiakos at home, with Wenger coming under fire for some of his squad rotations, especially selecting Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina over first-choice keeper Petr Cech.
The shock loss not only leaves them in danger of not qualifying for the next stage of the Champions League, it may have dented momentum gained from last week’s big win.
Manchester United on the other hand showed composure after conceding early at home to German side Wolfsburg to win 2-1. Once again led by key performances by Juan Mata, Martial and the ever-improving Chris Smalling, United seem to have finally hit their straps, netting 11 times in their last four games.
The Red Devils are a different team since the arrival of Martial, with his impact on the squad virtually immediate, but this is the biggest test of their season so far.
Arsenal, with Cech back in the side among others, will likely be a more composed side than against Olympiakos, looking to make amends for their midweek loss.
Prediction
Both sides have the quality to create plenty of chances, so look for United’s attacking potency to continue and for Wenger to field Arsenal’s best possible side in an entertaining draw that will be the game of the season so far.
Arsenal 2-2 Manchester United
Bondy
Guest
Two great goalkeepers will be on display here it should be an under 3 goals scored match ...
Kaks
Roar Guru
Im glad you posted the Dutch commentary version, the way the commentator screams out "Dennis Bergkamp!!" in pure joy adds to the video. And in response to your Messi video, yes he is probably the greatest player to have ever played, but Bergkamp did the astonishing during a time - and in a league - where the astonishing did not happen as often as it does now. He was 3 steps ahead of all players around him with his technique. And reading his autobiography and seeing how everything was so calculated just made me admire him more and just for the record.. greatest.goal.ever. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n275iW54o68
The artist formerly known as Punter
Guest
You could even see it in the resignation of the Argentinian players, saying that was just too good. One of the great goals from one of the greatest technicians ever. Pure joy, every footballer would dream of pulling that off.
Midfielder
Guest
But then again.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=603JM1adqRA
Midfielder
Guest
Kaks Something only Football folk fully understand the quality, the occasion, the deft touch, to keep clam, and guide the ball, Enjoy 1998 WC Netherlands - Argentina late in the game and a goal needed... Quarter Final .. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsZkCFoqSBs
Kaks
Roar Guru
Im a Chelsea fan, and yet Bergkamp is my favourite player of all time. Just made it look so easy. And that goal against Newcastle? Magic.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Now Arsenal v Chelsea is the big battle albeit without the title race impact in its narrative. It's a great shame we don't get to see more of Wilshere. He has such immense technical ability and has the mongrel Arsenal so badly need. Wouldn't be out of place alongside some of the players you've mentioned.
fadida
Guest
Finals race?
fadida
Guest
The edge has gone. Arsenal are now a soft touch, while United no longer have Ferguson's aggression. Keane v Viera, Neville v Reyes, Keown v RVN, Winterburn v the world.
Midfielder
Guest
Kaks You know in time you will move to the Coast ... so support your future local... BTW to look forward too when you move up.. https://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1680&bih=925&q=central+coast+nsw&oq=central+coast+nsw&gs_l=img.3..0l5j0i30j0i5i30l4.1288.6204.0.6954.17.15.0.0.0.0.524.2727.2-4j1j2j1.8.0.ecynfh...0...1.1.64.img..9.8.2725.goSKJGpv3Bk
Petar Alavanja
Roar Pro
Looks like you're the only person who bothered to read the end of that sentence az_rbb
Kaks
Roar Guru
The only time I will support you and your love of easts ;)
Midfielder
Guest
Agree and for me anyway Bergkamp was one of the most watchable players ever he was pure grace on the ball sublime and silky skills ....
AZ_RBB
Guest
Arsenal had an incredible team back then as well. Pires, Vieira, Bergkamp, Henry and I could go on. Some incredible battles at Highbury back in the day.
Midfielder
Guest
I remember watching these matches in the 90's and early 2000's .... they were a must see not sure if they have the same today... Sir Alex did send his teams out to attack .... That midfield of Keane, Scoles, Giggs & Becks with Nicky Butt as the bench player with Yorke and Cole up front with the Neville brothers bombing forward with Schmeichel in goals ... with Ole Sulskjaer on the bench with Jaap Stam holding the back together. The mind set of the front six in that side along with the Neville brothers was constantly attacking and the subs of Butt and Ole again very attacking mind set ... throw Sir Alex into the mix ...
Midfielder
Guest
I am with you AZ.... love my Shute team Eastwood ... and will watch the replay if we win... but Sundays is my sleep in day...
Kaks
Roar Guru
Very smart option AZ!
AZ_RBB
Guest
I do like my rugby, love a bit of Shute Shield during the winter. But not sure if I like it enough to wake up at 6am on Sunday morning after a big Saturday night haha. Might check out a replay later in the day if we win!
danwain
Guest
This game is awfully predictable, arsenal will come out playing slowly, almost intimidated by this mediocre United side. United will sit back and defend the cumbersome Arsenal attacks with ease and try and hit Arsenal on the break. Arsenal will most likely hit the bar around the 35 minute mark, at which point the fans at the emirates will start getting excited, and Arsenal will respond with a great spell of sustained pressure, which will result in United clearing their lines and scoring a goal through Martial on the break. 1-0 United at half time. Arsenal will kick into gear during the 2nd half and score in the 60th minute through a deflected Ramsey shot which was going nowhere near the goal. Wenger, will send Giroud on at the 65 minute mark, and Arsenal will continue to play long balls for Giroud to run onto, rather than playing to his aerial strength. Giroud will constantly find himself on the ground gesticulating with the ref, the grass and his perfect hair. Fans wil start wondering if Ozil is playing, even though everything positive Arsenal has done during the game has invariably come through him. Game will finish 1-1, Football365 will write that Arsenal showed their standard "Sterile Domination", life goes on for gunners supporters everywhere.
Kaks
Roar Guru
Was talking to my friends about the weekend of sport, Im not sure if you're into your rugby AZ but having England vs Australia play this weekend on top of these football fixtures is just mouth watering on a long weekend!