Does Manchester United Spank Arsenal's Arse?

Goooooood morning Gooners!

Apologies for the late blog today, I had some nasty bug since this weekend, so I chose to lie in for a bit this morning rather than rising early and starting my blog for all y'all.

So, a couple of days ago we had some comments about how good some strikers were. Then my friend posted on Facebook who he thought United´s most important players were. And then, we had some interesting comments about the age of Man United squad, and how some of their most important players were fading.

It got me thinking.

I really enjoyed when Robbie Keane said that Tottenham Hotspuds had the stronger squad of the North London team—days before we whipped them 3-0. It gave me something interesting to write about.

Today I'm going to do another squad comparison—again trying to give the illusion that I am unbiased, but invariably concluding that Arsenal is the greatest team in the history of the world.

But seriously, I'm going to "try and be objective" (which is a bullshit concept but that´s neither here nor there), and evaluate both teams in terms of squad strength and the ability of the starting 11.

Manchester United v. Arsenal

Clearly, as a team in the last five years, it is difficult to compare the two.

Man United have reached the European final twice, while we have only been there once. They have won three leagues, and we have won none. They have won FA Cups and League Cups, and we have won none.

It's been sad times for Arsenal, but since deciding to build the Emirates, we've had to go a different route.

We couldn't keep up with the other big four in terms of spending, so we had to invest significantly in youth, and hope to build a team full of young, exciting talent. Those who cost little, and would hopefully be very loyal to the club that taught them everything they now know.

Man United, however, have continued to spend a fortune every summer, (perhaps excluding this one—when they Sold Cr7-9 for one billion dollars), and enjoyed success almost every season, largely from it.

The two teams play the best football in England (although United's sheer seems to have dulled since losing Mr. Winkie) and will surely be two of the top three teams who battle for the Premier League title in 2009-2010.

Without further Mountain-A-Dew, let´s talk teams.

Goalkeepers

Almunia, Fabianski, Mannone-Edwin, Foster, Kusczak

Arsenal FC

Almunia arrived from Spain a couple years back to provide backup for Jens Lehmann, and perhaps compete for the No. 1 goalkeeping spot.

It has always been my opinion that Almunia was bought as a back-up, and remains a back-up. He did not win his place in the team due to merit, he won it because Lehmann made howlers against Fulham and Blackburn two seasons ago and was dropped.

He couldn't regain his place in the side because Almunia was playing consistently but never had a fantastic performance.

It is a bad sign that Almunia never got a game for Spain, and has thought about entering the England set up.

Granted it is difficult to find four better keepers than Casillas, Reina, Diego Lopez, and Victor Valdez, however it is equally difficult not to find four better keepers than 39-year-old James, Green, Robinson, and Hart (being the only one with an ounce of potential in my mind).

Arsenal should have a goalkeeper from a successful national team, like Germany or Spain. They should not have a backup goalkeeper who makes distinctively average performances consistently.

Almunia was a sensation against Manchester United in the CL semifinal last year for the first leg, but has failed to perform like that since, and began this season in horrendous form.

He had health and personal problems, and Don Vito performed valiantly in the absence of him and young Pole Fabianski—playing a 10/10 against Fulham.

However both our second and third string goalkeepers have shown lots of immaturity, despite their "potential potential."

Manchester United

Edwin van der Saar is fantastic. He's fast approaching 40, but he shows little signs of slowing down. Great distribution, fantastic with the ball at his feet, commanding under a cross, composed, and second to none at shot stopping.

He is perhaps the best goalkeeper in the world, and is certainly at the level where comparing him to Buffon or Casillas is like asking whether apples are better than oranges.

Ben Foster showed promise at Watford, but I think he does not have the size, mentality, or ability with the ball to be a goalkeeper at a top level club. He is only 26, and could improve, but I believe he'll either be