Most previews on the eve of such a clash will therefore be awash with guesses and opinions on who should start where, how the Squillacci/Djourou partnership is going to fare against United's attack of Wayne Rooney and Berbatov ,Will Chicharito announce himself as Arsenal's new nemsis the Ronaldo and Rooney way? Should Denilson or Wilshere start? What will be Van Persie's role ? etc.
I shall start my two part preview on Monday's game with a look at the opponents first: Manchester United.
This is a rewrite of a post I had contributed somewhere else, written before the abandoned Blackpool v Manchester United Match last weekend.
A 29 unbeaten game run in all competitions by Manchester United was brought to a halt in a dramatic 4-0 away loss at Villa Park in the Carling Cup quarter final. A dramatic Manchester capitulation in defense saw Avam Grant's men claim a scalp that had eluded 29 previous competitors. With the loss, Manchester United relinquished their hold on a trophy that they had collected in a trot in 2008/09 and 2009/10 seasons. By the way, did I mention that Wayne Rooney is Back!
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| Wayne Rooney is Returning to form: Image via wikipedia |
- It's Official, Sir Alex Ferguson is Manchester United
- Sir Alex:: Good Or Bad Business For Manchester United ?
In a season which has seen both Arsenal and Chelsea lose 4 times in only 15 games, it is quite a feat that Manchester United remain the only unbeaten side with more than a third of the English Premier league gone by. Though the number of draws in unflattering, 7, at the end of November Manchester United lead the premiership log having amassed 31 points, scored 35 and conceded 17 goals.
On form books, Manchester United is the team having secured 14 points out of the maximum 18 in the last six league games. Sir Alex Ferguson's side has the best home record in England's top flight division having only dropped two points at Old Trafford in the last six home games.
Away, the Red Devils, as the team from the red half of Manchester is dotingly called by its legion of supporters from all corners of the globe , their form is less flattering falling behind title rivals Arsenal and Manchester City and the impressive newly promoted Newcastle United.
At 8 points from the maximum 18 in six league matches, the away form of Manchester United is better than Chelsea who have manged only 5 points.
Consistency they say, is the key to winning the premier league this exciting 2010/2011 season. Based on the unbeaten 15 game streak, Manchester United could be said to be the most consistent team in the English Premier League so far. Maybe not consistent enough but consistent none the less.
Unlike in the Spanish La Liga where the Barcelona - Madrid axis rules the top flight literary wining every game save for when they face each other, the English Premier league is more stomach turning as none of the teams, not even the star studded big six- Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham has manged to put together a meaningful win streak.
Looking at Manchester United's squad, the maturity of the players is not under question. Taking a few steps back, the last team to pull off an an unbeaten campaign was Arsenal's invincible squad of the season 2003/2004. Then, the majority of the players in the Arsenal season were in the homestretch of their footballing careers much like the current Manchester United squad.
Probably, it's time for Manchester United to pull one over the perennial rivals by surpassing the 49 match unbeaten streak. Arsenal's unbeaten streak remains the only one in the Football league since it begun in 1888. Ac Milan did nine better in 1991-1993. Nottingham Forest's record of 42 games from 1977-78 comes second while Preston did a full season unbeaten in the inaugural (1888-89) 22 game Football League.
On 16th October 2004, at Old Trafford in a heated match quite characteristic of the Arsenal v. Manchester United clashes of the Keane- Vieira era, Ruud van Nistelrooy converted a contentious penalty and Wayne Rooney sealed the winner stopping the count at 49 games.
On 13th December, 2010, Arsenal have a chance to return the favor when they visit Old Trafford for the most famous fixture on the calender in any Barclay's Premier League season. Six days later, Sir Alex will travel with his side to London to face reigning league champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
But first, there is the small matter of Blackpool away on Saturday 04 December 2010. As the 2010/2011 season is consistently proving, no game is won until it is. The flattering 7 goal thrashing of Blackburn in game 15, may be the last stop in the unbeaten run by Manchester United. It is such possibilities, that make the English Premier League damn exiting! Predicting the eventual winner is a tight call.
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