Attack
United have scored 58 goals and Arsenal have scored 57.
Both teams are blessed with incredible talent, but United possess more depth and versatility. As a result, they can rest players at crucial points. In the past few weeks this has become increasingly important.
Against Fulham on Saturday, Hargreaves, Scholes, Park, and Fletcher started. In midweek it was Ronaldo, Carrick, Anderson, and Giggs. United could afford to start an entirely new midfield and still win 3-0.
By contrast, Arsenal rely exclusively on the central midfield pairing of Cesc Fabregas and Mathieu Flamini. They are the heart and soul of the team, and all of Arsenal’s build-up play is directed through them.
Both have excelled this season. They have attempted the most passes than any other players in the EPL, indicating Wenger’s belief in possession and patient build-ups. They have been rightly hailed as two of the standout performers of the season.
We tend to forget that Fabregas is only 20, and despite his incredible ability and most noticeably, his heroic performance against Milan, his form has dipped of late. Is it not too much for him to shoulder the attacking drive of the team for an entire season?
In-form Alexander Hleb has been dynamic and his linkup play with the forwards often prize open opposition defenses.
Their other star summer signing, Tomas Rosicky, has been injured for much of the season. Without him, Arsenal lose a player who could provide more width to the teams attacking play.
In the wide areas United again have the edge. Arsenal rely on Theo Walcott who as come of age in recent months, but on Saturday against Villa it looked as if he alone was shouldering the attacking burden.
In the wide areas, United have Cristiano Ronaldo who has scored 21 league goals and 31 in all competitions. He is arguably the best player in the EPL, and United rely heavily on his match-winning capability.
Nani is becoming increasingly influential and should, sooner rather than later, take over the starting position from the experienced Ryan Giggs. All three players can switch flanks and attack from a variety of angles.
Upfront, United again have the edge in depth. With Eduardo da Silva and Robin van Persie out, Arsenal rely on young Nicklas Bendtner and in-form Emmanuel Adebayor.
The Togo international has been in fantastic goal scoring form netting 21 EPL goals this season but ideally needs someone in the mould of da Silva to work off him.
Van Persie is dynamic and powerful and would be Adebayor’s striking partner, but he has been injured at crucial times this season. He should return to action shortly and will provide better support to Adebayor.
At the start of the season many questioned whether two similar players like Rooney and Tevez could complement each other, but they have managed. If one of them were injured, it would certainly be a blow.
But with Saha coming back to fitness at seemingly the right time, United are firing at full throttle up front, but the same can’t be said for Arsenal.
As other commentators have pointed out before, the style of the EPL is moving toward faster, stronger and more direct football.
It is not the style that many promote or prefer to watch, but in some games, in order to counter that football, tactics have to be changed.
I believe United are better equipped to use these tactics because they can play more directly whereas Arsenal can only break teams down through patient build-ups.
A well organized defence, such as Villa's, has time to get numbers behind the ball and frustrate Arsenal.
Although they rarely have the need to do so, United can "win ugly", and despite their penchant for last gasp equalizers, Arsenal can’t quite do that yet.
As much as I admire Arsene Wenger, his players, and the style of football they have cultivated at Arsenal, I think this season might be one too soon for EPL glory.
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7 months ago
I'm still not sure Paul. If Arsenal carry their CL form into the EPL then it could well be their league. Arsenal shocked me on Tuesday and they do have more than enough to win the league.
I however will have to stand by my prediction of United winning the league.
7 months ago
Its Mathieu Flamini not Michel it just shows you know nothing about Arsenal. I hear a lot about this strength of depth in M.utd. What would happen if they lose Ronaldo Vidic or Ferdinad. We saw what happened at the end of last season when they lost Vidic and ferdinand they colapsed luckly for United the title was wraped up by then. Arsenal have been very unlucky with injuries and yet they still managed to hold on to the top spot. Long way to go and you can't write off Arsenal or Chelsea.
7 months ago
united can cope with injuries. vidic has been injured for a number of games this year and they played on racking up the points. Rooney is the one they miss most. United needs an out and out striker but that's for next season. Right now they have a deeper squad than Arsenal and also the bottle. Did you see Arsenal player's faces last week? Gallas was acting like a spoilt child throwing a tantrum. You don't see that with United. Arsenal is a reflection of their manager - neither of them can take losing and they both start to crumble under pressure. United will win the league with 2 or 3 games to spare. They have to play Arsenal at OT - which they will win. Arsenal also travel to Chelsea - 0 points there either I think.
7 months ago
Sorry about the typo, I will fix it, but easy on the personal insults please. You're right about Chelsea, they are still in the race, but I decided in this article to compare the merits of Arsenal and Manchester United. If Ronaldo were to be injured, it would be a big blow, but United do have more depth, you could at least concede that. I am more than willing to debate with you but please don't get personal.
7 months ago
I'm sure if you saw a broken leg you wouldn't be able to think straight, asshole. And I guess they crumbled under pressure when they beat Milan, the favorites at the San Siro, 2-0. I'll mention too that 2 of their strikers were out that day cuz van Persie wasn't fit at all that day.
And to the article, saha and rooney do not compare at all to van Persie and Adebayor. Before van Persie was injured, he was top 5 in goals i'm pretty sure. With him back, Arsenal are a much bigger threat on offense. Rooney hasn't done much this year, it's been ronaldo. I've counted 5 games he was the lone scorer for United and in 2 of Man U's losses were without ronaldo. I guess that really shows the United depth. And let's not forget a first round defeat to Coventry City. Sure, it's just the Carling Cup, but Arsenal can send out their reserves and make it to the semi-finals while United couldn't pass the 1st round. And Arsenal relying on Walcott?? he just scored his first EPL goals, and he's been injured!! he's a great player, but he has done way too much dribbling and it is only since he scored that he has actually been effective for Arsenal in the EPL.
7 months ago
I'm sure if you saw a broken leg you wouldn't be able to think straight, asshole. And I guess they crumbled under pressure when they beat Milan, the favorites at the San Siro, 2-0. I'll mention too that 2 of their strikers were out that day cuz van Persie wasn't fit at all that day.
And to the article, saha and rooney do not compare at all to van Persie and Adebayor. Before van Persie was injured, he was top 5 in goals i'm pretty sure. With him back, Arsenal are a much bigger threat on offense. Rooney hasn't done much this year, it's been ronaldo. I've counted 5 games he was the lone scorer for United and in 2 of Man U's losses were without ronaldo. I guess that really shows the United depth. And let's not forget a first round defeat to Coventry City. Sure, it's just the Carling Cup, but Arsenal can send out their reserves and make it to the semi-finals while United couldn't pass the 1st round. And Arsenal relying on Walcott?? he just scored his first EPL goals, and he's been injured!! he's a great player, but he has done way too much dribbling and it is only since he scored that he has actually been effective for Arsenal in the EPL.
7 months ago
Coventry?Be real.If you wanna talk about the League up then why dont you mention your 5-1 thumping at the hands of spurs? Did you forget the recent 4-0 hiding Arsenal got at OT?and United had even more 1st team players left out than Arsenal that day.How about the lucky 2-2 draw against the same united at the Emirates which your players celebrated as if thay had won the champions league?That tells a lot. I respect Arsenal and their wonderful style of play but the fact that you think you have to refer to coventry to make a point is really pathetic.I am neutral and I think Arsenal could very well win it this year but you should be constructive in your comments.
7 months ago
portsmouth anyone?
refree mistakes and all that fergie rant which always comes. united were unlucky today, but they have been too lucky many times before? diarra's card - say refree was only making mistakes against united?
thankfully we only have league and CL to focus on now... I seem to be disliking Manu these days, as i guess i end up seeing lot of Italian and spanist and dutch football...which just makes me feel as if Manu is a machine kind of play..just missing the beauty of patient buildup in other leagues, something that arsenal did well in Milan
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