UNITED v Arsenal (Sunday 17th Sept)

[Red Yank]

I'm not underestimating ARSEnal at all for this one, and they know they have to win otherwise it's going to be a really big hole for them to get out of even if they do find their form. I expect them to play us hard and provided we don't have silly lapses in the defense I think Rooney and Saha can do the work up front...I'm just curious who's going to be in place for Giggsy...Richardson? I'm not too convinced with him thus far...Ole perhaps?

[Chris]

Probably Richardson, even though he was crap against Spurs he is quicker than Ole and would be better on the wing, as we will need him and Ronaldo to cause problems.

[Sky Sports 1]

I'd say the main thing is- as mentioned before, Arsenal need to attack. It's proven that they struggle whenever venturing up north, they find it physical. Toure might also be out according to Wenger, so for these reasons, and many more i don't have the time to write..

Can only see United winning by at least 2+ goals if Saha actually converts the amount of proper chances he's been getting recently.

Can only realistically see Arsenal scoring through Van Persie's box Dolphin diving or a free kick.

[victoryismine]

I would actually be happy with a draw. Whatever Arsenal's problems maybe, they have a quality side, especially in attack and it is bound to click at some point. Especially as this game means more to them than it does to us. If they lose this game, they are done as that is 13 points behind us. However if they win, it's 7 points and a game in hand so they will really go for it I think.

Well it's always good to win, as that is what you want at every game, especially at home. Still, if we draw I wouldn't be terribly disappointed considering how pumped Arsenal will be. I think it should be a good game, in quality and not that controversial I hope. I am going to predict 2-2. But then again I predicted 5-0 against Celtic and that hardly turned out well, so maybe if I say draw, we will win easily. ;D

As for who to play Giggs, I would actually play Ronaldo on the left, Scholes and Carrick in the middle and Fletcher ( ) on the right, as he has actually been semi-decent so far. Well better than Richardson anyway.

[Red Yank]

victoryismine said:

I would actually be happy with a draw. Whatever Arsenal's problems maybe, they have a quality side, especially in attack and it is bound to click at some point. Especially as this game means more to them than it does to us. If they lose this game, they are done as that is 13 points behind us. However if they win, it's 7 points and a game in hand so they will really go for it I think.

Well it's always good to win, as that is what you want at every game, especially at home. Still, if we draw I wouldn't be terribly disappointed considering how pumped Arsenal will be. I think it should be a good game, in quality and not that controversial I hope. I am going to predict 2-2. But then again I predicted 5-0 against Celtic and that hardly turned out well, so maybe if I say draw, we will win easily. ;D

As for who to play Giggs, I would actually play Ronaldo on the left, Scholes and Carrick in the middle and Fletcher ( ) on the right, as he has actually been semi-decent so far. Well better than Richardson anyway.

I can't say I'd be happy with a draw. I agree with your point about ARSEnal having a good side which just needs to click to find their winning ways but we need to earn our 3 points at home and perhaps entertain the notion of drawing with them at the Emirates Kebob Palace. This early on I think every point is critical especially since we're only 2 points ahead of Pompey and Everton. I know we may not win every match but I don't want to play for draws either...to me they are what we end up with, not what we play for. The gooners will be coming to play and we should be too...this our first match against one of the top 4 clubs so let's take it to them!

[Chris]

The Arse attack is in trouble by sounds of it, just on SSN that Van Persie and Henry likely to miss the game, Toure should be fit.

[JoshReddevilz]

van persie and henry out means adebayor and baptista

[danishred]

reddevilz said:

van persie and henry out means adebayor and baptista

Luckily Adebayor isnt that great...and Baptista does not look ready for the prem (based off of one game against boro )

I think we will win as easily as we did last year at OT...2-0 with us having most of the possesion, but i wont be tooooo cocky tho....

VDS
Nev-Rio-Vidic (i hope)- Heinze

Ronny-carrick-scholes-richardson

Rooney-Saha

[britishelf]

Cant wait for this game, will also be a real test for united. And the way things are going i would like to see arsenal remain 4th from the bottom.

[potts]

mufcadz said:

Following up the game with Celtic, United face Arsenal at Old Trafford.

A tie in past seasons that would have been labelled as the title decider, remember the Battle of Old Trafford? Battle of the Buffet? Keane vs. Vieira in the tunnel?
These games were the highlights of the season, not any more though. Things have changed.

Arsenal are nearer 20th position than 1st and United are 1st after four games there could be a lot of change on the way.

With Vieira, Keane, Ruud, Bergkamp, Pires et al gone it would appear that these games no longer hold that hate factor that the others did. United need to win to maintain a 100% win record, the only one in England intact whilst Arsenal, this being their fourth game, need to win to get their first three points of the season or risk slipping into the relegation zone and being a massive thirteen points behind United after just a month of domestic football.

So people, expect Arsenal to try and get the win at OT something they've not done for a while and expect United to go for the kill from the off. Rooney will be back as will Scholes from their bans, Ronaldo will have been rested midweek and Heinze, Vidic and Smith could all be in line for returns.
Henry will also miss Arsenal's Champions League tie so could be a doubt for L'Arse.

This is my XI bar injury and the FA :

Van Der Sar

Neville - Ferdinand - Brown - Evra

Solskjaer - Scholes - Carrick - GiggsRonaldo

Rooney - Saha

Prediction: 2-0 UNITED

I can't get a ticket for this, well it seems that way with four days until the game so I may be enjoying this one with you all at my PC with the telly on. First home game I'm going to miss this season, bastard ballots.

C'MON UNITED!

How does that Ballots work anyway ??

[Red Yank]

britishelf said:

Cant wait for this game, will also be a real test for united. And the way things are going i would like to see arsenal remain 4th from the bottom.

#thumb#

[redom]

I reckon Henry and Van Persie will both be fit for sunday, arsenal are just playing games hoping united will prepare for them thinking they are out but they'll both be out there and we know that.

[7even]

Yeah I fully expect them to be fit too. I’m not looking forward to this match at all.

[sahahaha]

I can't wait tbh Chelsea and Liverpool play first, if Chelsea win I won't be looking forward to the game but if they draw or lose I will be laughing. A win over the Arse and we go 5 points clear of Chelsea (if they draw) and that's very likely.

Vds

G.Neville...Rio......Brown......Silvestre

Fletcer.....Carrick..Scholes....Ronaldo

Rooney..............Saha

3:1 to United!

[ibrahiy]

United should go with VDS
Nev---rio---silv---evra
fletch--carr--sch--ron
roo---saha
personally fletcher hasn't impressed me enough yet last game he was playing in the centre of medfield most of the game.
Wes brwon looked like a joke, and silvestre to me looked impressive as he was not only doing his job, but also cleaning up brown's mistakes
since we do not have many options with all the injuries i beleive this is the best squad.
Arsenal have not defended well so far this season, but they did win mid weak so i reckon the game to be a very open, lots of wing play, and hopefully a 3-1