Manchester United vs Arsenal: Another Storm in the Teacup

(Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

On your mark, get set, and go. It was the first of the big four clashes of the Premier league, barely three weeks into the new season—a season which has seen a sea of change for both clubs in question—Manchester United and Arsenal.

And more so for United, who are without their most valuable player, both in terms of capital and quality. For Arsenal, it will be another season trying to win back the title they lost half a decade ago. And Arsenal will also be without key players in their squad in the form of Adebayor and Toure, perhaps the latter most likely to be missed.

While United, for a change, decided to be thrifty in the transfer market, it was a more predictable summer for Arsenal in terms of spending. While both teams, no doubt, will be less stronger by the departure of key personnel, the ability of the rest of the squad, rather the new squad, to adapt to life without the big names that are now gone, will decide the destiny of the League title.

As we kick off this first clash of the big guns, both teams have been on the ascendancy, more so for Arsenal who had a hundred percent record going into this game.

United, the perennial slow starters, didn't let their supporters down by putting on a horrible performance against Burnley only to turn on the heat against Wigan last week, putting five against the home team.

The Kick-Off

The game was killed before the kick off by the teams put out by both managers, crowded mid-fields and a single man up front—the perfect combination for a scrappy affair—as most of the encounters between the big teams turn out to be. Rather than discussing the game in general, let us shed some light on the two key moments in the game.



The First Half: Incident One

Premise: A cross from the right hand side of the field falls to Arshavin, the Russian takes a touch and as he is about to pull the trigger, Fletcher makes a rash diving challenge, getting less of the ball and more of the man, probably the man first.

Result: The referee, Mike Dean, waves play on and asks Arshavin to get up.


Argument: The referee, just 10 yards away from the action, should have awarded a penalty to the Gunners and booked Fletcher.


My Call: A clear cut penalty, United get the advantage of playing at home that they get from time to time each season. For Arsenal, another decision goes against them as Arsene bemoans the call on the edge of the technical area. 

For Arsenal, justice is done a few seconds later when a rocket ends up in the back of the United net, oh, that was actually the ball launched by the little Russian. Another glaring example of the Arsene's shout that 50-50 calls never go Arsenal's way.

None the less, Arsenal finish the half as they started—on a high, with a solitary goal's advantage to show for. 



The Second Half: Incident Two

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