Jan 31
Arsenal v Man Utd: Preview
We kick off today’s preview with a brief word on David Gill’s interview with BBC Sport [read it in full, here]
In the interview he talks Rooney, Ferguson, the ownership, the transfer funds, among other things, and it’s unlikely we’re bound to know something earth-shatteringly new. Such it goes.
“Unless Alex agreed to it, we would not accept an offer, regardless of the value, for a player we want to keep,” is what he said about Rooney and the rumours swirling around about his sale.
Rooney himself was on record saying he won’t be leaving United. And I, for one, believe him. I’ve seen past interviews of the lad, and he’s said stuff to the effect of, “can you really see me play anywhere outside England?” And the only way I can every see Rooney leave is if the board forced Ferguson’s hand.
He spoke about how the £500m debts are a misconception and stressed that the Glazers were in this for the long run. However the example he cited was a bad one:
“They will only get value back by ensuring the team continues to be successful, continues to attract exciting players and continues to produce results off the pitch. The Glazer family bought (American football team) the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1995 and 15 years later, they still own that – they are in it for the long-term.”
Just google Tampa Bay Buccaneers finances or something to that effect, and you’ll see what kind of hell their fans are going through.
Anyway, moving on to more pressing matters, there’s a match today against Arsenal and the most significant result last week was Arsenal’s draw at Villa Park. This gives us the chance to go four points over the gunners, and close our gap on league leaders, Chelsea. Chelsea, who went top thanks to a header from “his mate’s” wife-shagger and England’s Brave, John Terry. I am not wasting inches going into the wheres and whys he shouldn’t carry on as England captain, but you’d have thought the book of reasons to hate John Terry was already full by now when, all of a sudden, you now have enough scope for a sequel.
A reasonable article to lead this off should be the one by Amy Lawrence of the Guardian — a well known Arsenal fan — who highlights the main stars of this clash: Fabregas (who’s still only 22!) and Rooney (who’s 24, although I’d have thought he was younger) Of course, it does resort a bit towards cliches we’ve become all too familiar with; Fabregas and Fergie — ‘pizzagate’, Rooney and Wenger — the number of times he’s dominated Arsenal.
Still, read it as you attempt to whet your appetite ahead of the match.
A quickie — read this piece where Keith Harris, a takeover-broker and a United fan, says he’s been approached by several rich United fan investors. I’ll try to write up something detailed on this later on, but do read it if you have the time.
Regarding the starting XI, I’m convinced Ferguson will opt for a 4-5-1 formation — one that he has employed with much success recently. But it will no doubt, isolate Rooney up front. Nani should undoubtedly start, but he’ll be on the left while Valencia will start on the right. Fletcher, Carrick and one of either Anderson or Scholes will be the third mid fielder.
Vidic is reported to replace Ferdinand, who’ll begin the first of a ridiculous four-match suspension.
Arsenal have their share of injuries. Vermaelen was the latest casualty, in mid week. Which means, Sol Campbell could make a start, and hopefully Rooney will take full advantage of that.
Cesc Fabregas was on record as saying this is the biggest game of the season for him, and fair play to him. It’s a pretty important match for both sides in a statement-of-intent sort of way, although not necessarily a deal breaker as far as the title race goes.
Anyway, onto the predictions: 2-1 to United, I guess. Hopefully this proves to be yet another cracking game of football.
[Off I go to watch Federer play Murray and hopefully win yet another grand slam.]
Related items from Red Rants:
- Porto it is then…
- Man Utd v Stoke: Preview
- GOAL VIDEOS: Manchester United v Arsenal
- Man Utd v Everton: Preview
- Man Utd v Spurs match thread
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (541)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Stephen (454)
Craig Mc (344)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
The accolades for Nani stand out because of the frequency with which he has bewildered crowds but this was one of those rare days when, for United, everything seemed to click. Wayne Rooney, once again, looked at the point of maximum expression. Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick were spraying passes around as if there was a computer chip in their boots. Darren Fletcher, derided by Wenger as “anti-football” when these sides met at Old Trafford in August, proved his point.
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@Stephen: Iknow mate – what a stalwart eh
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@CraigMc: By the way, show Wazza some love bro! 20 league goals in January????????? Common mate!!!! Bloody WORLD fucking class!!!
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@owen: We deserved it though mate, the press have been banging on about Arsenal and City before both games and we have stepped up to the plate and we deserve credit for that.
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Memos to Wenger:
1. Teach that when your centre-half (Gallas) decides to charge up-field someone else should cover for him. That is the simplest ‘total-football-pass-and-move-joy-to-watch’ rule of all. It cost Arsenal two goals today because United were devastatingly good on the break.
2. Get a deep-lying midfielder who can hit killer balls, like Carrick. That way you don’t need 180 passes to release someone for a sight of goal.
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I thought Wes and Johnny were the unsung heroes on the night. Barely put a foot wrong, considering this was totally our second-choice Centerhalf pairing. But of course, I’m all for giving it to the MOST sung hero of the night too – Luis friggin Nani
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@WhiteY: Well to be honest mate, most of our performances this season bar the last few have been boring snooze fests. I was doing my nut along with the rest of them at some of the team formations, and Fergie’s meddling with sqaure pegs in round holes methodology. That’s fandom mate, and people are entitled to their after game RANTS
. Nani is pure example of this square peg/round hole, and look how he is playing in his best position. Nowt like a good moan after match mate, so don’t take it too serious eh? 
So your mate thinks we are geniouses –
. I wish tell him!
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@WhiteY:
– he already gets TOO much love mate 
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Also Nani speaks great English which is a real plus, Tevez cannot speak a word.
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@Stephen: It proves Nani does have a brain after all which is good; it means he can learn and improve.
Tevez is as thick as buffalo skin.
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@Red Ranter:
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@Red Ranter: You posted review today after a long time and it proved lucky
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@CraigMc: Ain’t no such thing as too much love mate!!
By the way how was my boy Carrick today????
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@CraigMc: Amazing how self-proclaimed members of the Nani appreciation society are suddenly rife now!
Where were they when the lil man was getting lambasted when he was not playing!!!
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@WhiteY: Carrick was brilliant, and it would be good for us if he can continue so. The whole team played their hearts out today. Well done to all.
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@NicoQB:
, thats life my friend!
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Another thing for you Nani ‘no nothings’ – I was right when I said he was a SHY lad and a good few gave me a hard time of it, saying the Lil man was arrogant. Well Fergie just said on MUTV that Nani is a SHY BOY, so I was indeed right on that score too
. Well I gotta go – the Missus and mi wee baby are calling 
. Night all.
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@WhiteY: Blah de blah, I stand by my point!
4-5-1 only works if we have the players to make it work. That includes wingers on top form, a Wayne Rooney on top of his game and a grafting, solid midfield.
If one or more of these elements are not present our football can be made to look pretty dire.
The advantage with 4-4-2 for example is that it does not necessarily imply all of those prerequisites for it to work.
Just imagine 4-5-1 with Rooney injured.
Would be nowhere near as succesful as it is right now.
Still I’m not one to deny that we’ve been looking very good recently.
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@NicoQB: Well said mate.
Is it me, but I find it self-defeating slagging off players that play for our club continuously. Yes its true that players can be shite at times and not every player at our club can be said to be class, and we can do better in certain positions. That said, as soon as a player wears that jersey and goes out to represent MANCHESTER UNITED, I can only wish that player the VERY best of performances, be it Gary Neville or Foster!!!
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@owen: @owen: I’m sure plagiarism isn’t allowed on Redrants!! Might have to report you to the Guardian
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@owen: But bar the past several games, Carrick’s passing has been shit. Arsenal do overpass at times, but note they’ve scored more goals than anyone and they generally get the ball up field quickly and retain possession which tires the opposition.
But bloody fantastic from us today! Didn’t get to watch the second half. So good not having to bang your head against the wall after watching your team.
Still, though, need powerful striker to alleviate pressure off Rooney. An in-form, properly-behaved Adriano though he struggles for pace would be good for his creative whims and eye for goal.
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Great game tonight btw!!!
Nani, take a bow son!! That’s three outstanding performances on the trot, maybe maturity was all he lacked. Rooney, 100 PL goals – what a player!! United should give him whatever he wants – as far as we can afford it, seeing as we’re skint. 
Major kudos to Fergie also, he definitely has Wenger’s number. Whoever said he was tactically inept must be wiping egg off face right now; making 4-5-1 work with the pool of players we have is outstanding.
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@NicoQB: There is a stark difference between 4-5-1 and 4-3-3 and that difference is in personnel. Earlier in the season when we played Tottenham with Andy Scholes Carrick Fletcher and Giggs was a perferct case of the conventional 4-5-1.
Today against Arsenal was 4-3-3 at its best. Two speedy wingers stretching play to the wings, a deep playing midfielder and two ‘flanking’. Notice that all three goals came from the three forwards??
How is it that the so called tactically astute Arsene Wenger has been consecutively out manoeuvred by a dumb as nails Fergie???
The excuse the other time at the emirates was ‘they had Cristiano’!! I truly wonder what the excuse is this time around.
I’m sure it was pure fluke Fergie leaving Valencia, Giggs and most especially Berbatov on the bench?? Not to even mention Andy that ‘always shits on Fabregas’??
Common you dumb as fuck Sir Alex Ferguson, why the heck did ypu play J S Park who always falls on his bloody ass every single time and has no semblance of a footballer?? Why oh why did’nt you play Gary Neville at right back?? You should have gone for experience in defence yo bloody moron!!!!
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SUNDAY Monday happy days Tuesday Wedensday Happy days rockin all week with you, THIS DAY IS OURS.
M8s lift yerself above some shite that on here served up.I AM so fucking esctatic.
Not that i care to be a smart lad, refer you all to post 2 on here today my prediction. Wotch my betting, more clued up than most.I got a 100 pounds in hipper.
Who is next ohh yes Hull and Chelscum.
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@Gabriel:
touché! lol
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@WhiteY: If you call this 4-3-3, then so be it!
I’m a big fan of 4-3-3 for that matter, and I rate it much more than the oft too defensive 4-5-1.
The thing with tonight’s line up was that Park (especially) and Nani were doing some defensive covering work, so that’s why I in my head its still 4-5-1 compared to a 3 pronged attack of Ronaldo-Rooney-Tevez last year..
But really, the reason I still prefer 4-4-2 is because its the one that can accomodate mi own boy berba the most!
But I’d like to see berba given a decent run at 4-3-3.
As for Wenger being more tactically astute, that’s a myth that’s getting debunked regularly. If anything the italians ARE the master tacticians, but I’ll never warm to their defensive mindset. And let’s not forget maureen who for all his other flaws, is very good tactically, imho.
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@CraigMc: Of course not at point 148, but undestand this i am laughing huge, fantastic result for us m8. I saw this on the cards, our manager is a Scot, lol. Like most its thinking thro the season and when u come. lol
That’s just my humour, you know as i do, we must do this regardless of off field prob’s.
Enjoy yer nite sweetie. I am rah rah rah.
Come on you reds.
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At point 33, read the last, erm how many posts games? assole
Niters lads, enjoy our fantastic night.
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@NicoQB: True mate. Maybe we do have similar taste in players huh?!! I Loveeeeeeeeeee me boy Carrick and I always look for him to play well and get stuck in. I’m happy he’s coming to at this crucial time in the run. I joke with my mates that if an IQ test was conducted on United players, Carrick would come out top! He’s just that bloody smart. Only wish he was faster and ‘grittier’.
Honestly mate, I love Berba too, but like i’ll always say, he’s class but not right to start for United. I’ve been watching a replay of Rooney’s goal and the counter attack was just blistering and frakken outstanding. Rooney is FASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSST and in the replay you can see JS Park speeding down the left too and Naniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
Now imagine Berba in that set up, I’m almost certain the counter attack would have been reduced to a build up, and unfortunately, zero goal!
I truly believe our best bet is the 4-3-3. My only dilemma would be fitting Valencia in the starting eleven as I think he deserves to be in it.
If you had to sign one and only one player, who would that be???
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@CraigMc: no shit where is his song after this?
He along with roony over the past 2weeks have been an explosion and one that has drowned out all the chatter about our shortcomings. i doubt the news will be as dire about united over the next two.
exactly what we needed. who would have thought that “the new ronaldo” was infact the new ronaldo and should have been handed his position and shirt as soon as he left.
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@[OPTI]Madschester United: I do not believe in miracles.
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@WhiteY: Hehe, mate, 2 or 3 years ago, back when I first joined this site, I used to defend Carrick against his own little brigade of bashers.
I do feel that he’s still got more to offer than what he has been offering recently, and I’d like him to score 8 ad above per season and especially have double figures in assists, but it seems his defensive game has gone up one notch, since those days. Was a not too distant time when I proclaimed that he was the 2nd most important player in our squad, as in when he plays well, United as a whole plays well.
Those days are gone, sadly,
and his performance levels have taken a dip (especially last season), but I’d love him to get back to that level.
As for Berba, yes he’s not the fastest, and he may not be on the end of those blitzes, but he may still be part of counters, as I’m positive that he’s the one player you want to have the ball at his feet if you want someone to release a pass on the counter. He also has the best ball control, when it comes to picking the ball out of thin air, so to me, even if he doesn’t score a bag full of goals, he’s still worth having for sheer creative value.
As for me wanting us to sign a player; Krasic used to be my no.1 target (great right winger), but I didn’t expect Nani to be in this kind of form.
Gourcuff is another one, but he is nowhere near the form he displayed last season (ok, that may be a bit harsh, but you get my drift)
Just two weeks ago I was begging for a world-class creative offensive midfielder. With Nani having a phoenix like revival; I’d be happy to settle for an old school box-to-box midfielder. I’m still uncertain of whether Anderson is ever going to make it here (he may end up having a Flethcher like career who knows?) but I’d like a truly world-class central midfielder who can dominate both offensively and defensively. Its something of a rarity nowadays, but my attention picked up when we were being linked with Moussa Sissoko.
I also think we could use do with a truly world class, left footed left winger. I don’t know much about Di Maria, but I thought the Joe Cole rumours were interesting… I also used to be a big fan of Ribery, but that was before I discovered he was a bit of a prick (can understand him though – his rankings in the last two WPOTY awards have been ridiculously low for a player of his talent).
But I’m quite happy with the the way the team is currently, amazing how one player’s resurgence seems to have solved many of our past worries!
Oh, and Canales, but he’s signed to Madrid has he?
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@Scotjimland: Your not that clued up mate – its Pompey and Villa and chelscum up next
. We already played Hull home and away!
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@Don: You haven’t watched enough of him mate. Milan aren’t using him because they have a pecking order and that was the problem at Madrid too. He scored for fun for Ajax and for Holland. Give him time to play like Nani and he would show his true class. And believe me mate, he is true class and was built for the Prem. He’s a big boy that has never shown me a shyness of the box.
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@Red Ranter: Notice how they picked up the pace once they won the ball in their end. They were positively terrifying to watch as they broke out like a Blitzkrieg over Poland. Pace, skill on the ball and the right decision making. Also, they showed Fergie that having the ball for 60% of the possession is not a recipe to success. I think they had the ball for 43% or 44% of the game yet they manhandled the Gooners. It’s not how much time you have on the ball, it’s what you do with the ball when you have it. Truthfully, I think we would have scored five or six had Giggs started instead of Scholes. Even though he scored a splendid goal, I was not big on Park’s performance in attack, but he totally neutralized Sanja. 4-5-1 works when the team is moving at a lightning pace and has the balls for attack. Nani and Rooney were wonderful to watch today. Nobody can stop Rooney when he’s in this kind of form.
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@Stephen: Foster looks positively world class and Schmeichel-like in comparison to him. I cannot remember the last time that muppet ever made a game saving save. He is so useless that it defies comprehension and belief that such a smart man as Wenger would go with this garbage after so many years with better keepers like Seaman and Lehmann to count on. I mean, placing a CB or FB in goal would amount to the same type of cover, NONE. Wenger defies logic with his faith and belief in this incredibly useless keeper. And I have been saying this now for three years.
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@CraigMc: Stop acting bitter mate. It gets you nowhere on this blog. Nobody on here has it in them to pat you on the back and say they were wrong and you were right. I know that first hand. It’s either a pride thing or they just don’t want us to feel full of ourselves and gloat. Well mate. GLOAT. You earned it. I have felt like that so many times myself when I was proven right. I for one always believed in Nani but to be honest, I wasn’t sure if Nani believed in Nani and I never felt Fergie would ever believe in him. I’m glad that I was wrong about that. Also, it’s no mirage but the lad has really upped his game. He is doing all the things I was accusing him of not doing two months ago. Running and dribbling with pace, attacking and skinning defenders and looking to make the right pass and not try to do too much. His new found confidence and the confidence the players and especially Fergie are showing in him have elevated him from his otherwise timid and shy displays. Now he seems assured of ascending to the top and making himself a truly great player for us and a menace for opponents. I’m very happy for him as this may mean there is a great chance he is going nowhere this summer. I’m sure that makes your day.
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@owen: How about try playing with forwards as well as a goalkeeper too. He had neither today.
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That new signing we got #17 Nani, well………..he’s pretty fucking good ain’t he?
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@CraigMc: Mate, I’m not here in an attempt to get a medal or an applause, but I was always one of the lads who had faith in Nani. I’ve defended Valencia, because I think he is a good player, but I’ve always told you or agreed that Nani is better. He just needs some game in a row, so he can get some consistency. He had done that now and… well.. FUCKING LOOK AT HIM!!!
Nani told all the Arsenal defenders to “Beat it” today. He was “Moonwalking” all over the pitch there. A real “Thrill” to watch him play today. Truly, a “Smooth Criminal”.
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@Grognard: Is that Michael Jackson?
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I don’t know what was best about today!!!
Was it watching the United reserves beat Stabæk FK at Telenor Arena live in VIP seats, with Diouf scoring a brace?
Was it watching Nani terrorise the whole Arsenal defence, scoring one of the best goals I’ve seen in my life(Yes, I credit it to him because I believe it would have gone in)?
Was it watching Rooney score YET ANOTHER GOAL for Manchester United, making it 20 in the Premier League this season, 100 Premier League goals in total and scoring YET another goal against Arsenal?
Was it watching United just purely outclass Arsenal at their ground, winning 3-1 in the process?
Was it watching the game with three other Arsenal fans in the same room as me, at my house and a big TV?
Was it watching the reaction and behaviour of those fans when their team played shit and conceded?
or
WAS IT JUST A BRILLIANT DAY TO BE A UNITED FAN?!
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@NicoQB: the man you want is silva
lw/acm and he is class with the right side looking full he could be a bargain buy filling in two places where we need class. gigs replacement imo
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Welly scores for preston VIDEO
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“My future is at United” -NANI
“But Sir Alex was very clear with me – he spoke at length about what he expected and was always very positive.
“He changed my mentality and improved my morale over the past few months and now I think I am getting as much satisfaction from my performances as I ever had.”
Link
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Craig MC
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@gator: I kept track of Silva, but his stats this season have been very average for a player of his renown. He played well in the euros and against us in a friendly, but I just wonder.
Anyway, word is he can “do a job” on the left, but t can be uncomfortable for him as he’s more natural as AM. As I said, if Nani keeps performing for the rest of the season like this I don’t feel there is a pressing need to buy another attacking midfielder.
Ok, that’s all for me tonight. Night all!
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It’s funny how people are so quick to hop on the nani bandwagon after all the abuse he gets. He also illustrates what happens when fergie plays players in their natural position and gives them a run of games.
I am curious too see if Valencia can play centrally, because nani just isn’t at his best playing on the left.
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Rooney really is coming of age right before our eyes. He really is playing like one of the best players in the world right now. He is simply unplayable right now in his current form. Long may it continue!
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Best team performance so far, and with the 2 previous wins in account, this is indeed a good sign!
The pace and movement in the 1st half was exceptional and the gooners just could keep up – we didn’t kick them around the pitch this time, we just out-played them everywhere. The crisp passing, and especially the early one, had them stretching the whole time.
The 5 man midfield seems to be working – and for a couple of reasons.
If we can combine Scholes, Carrick and Fletcher on the same starting 11, the progress up the pitch seems almost gift wrapped -the fight, the guile and the long pass have a wonderful symbiosis that just makes our engine purr with delight.
The other most important issue is we now seem to have a winger that can run at his defender and with much skill, can get behind a back four and MAKE A TELLING PASS into those threatening the goal. In short, Nani has been a revelation the last couple of games and it helps us so much!!
Rooney is on a different planet right now – playing at such a high level, you wonder just how long this streak will last. His work rate, his anticipation and most importantly, his finishing was as good as I’ve witnessed. His 100th PL goal was masterful from start to finish and as clinical and as ruthless as United need with a single striker. (Important as it was in it’s accuracy, Nani’s decision to pass, was a telling sign that he’s now getting it!!)
Kudos to Evans and Brown to almost hold off Arsenals efforts – but I do have to wonder about Wenger’s idea of attacking us with the diminutive Arsharvin, when he knew we could be vulnerable in central defense. He didn’t bring on Bendtner until the points were in our bag – when his effect was negligible.
They kept our defense honest and took very few chances when under pressure. Hopefully, with time, their distribution forward can improve and they can become a bona fida backup solution for our ongoing defensive absentees.
Looking forward, we have a seemingly easy game against Portsmouth, while Chelsea and Arsenal will battle it out for the Capital spoils.
Wenger was pissed at his team today, so look for them to show Chelsea a revived effort (hopefully) knowing that a loss in that game will probably put pay to their title efforts.
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