Why Manchester United Will Win the EPL, Part 1

 
After Manchester United’s 3-0 win over and Fulham and Arsenal’s last-gasp 1-1 draw with Aston Villa, the lead at the top of the table has been reduced to just one point with ten games to play.

Arsene Wenger has admitted that the momentum is with United although he still believes his team is favorite, while Alex Ferguson has said that it “should be a fantastic run-in.”  The bookies are also backing the Red Devils.

Let’s take a look at the two teams and ask which is more likely to finish on top.  Let's also compare defensive and attacking strengths ,factoring in depth of squad and experience. 

Defense

Arsenal should be worried.  Saturday was not the first time Philippe Senderos has been manhandled—just ask Didier Drogba.  He was outpaced and muscled by Gabriel Agbonlahor and Marlon Harewood, and replaced with ten minutes remaining.

Regular starting central defender Kolo Toure has been out since the African Cup of Nations, although he is set to return shortly.  This will be a huge boost for the team.  With him playing regularly  I cannot see any last minute central defensive substitutions.

William Gallas has filled in on the right and left for Arsenal and Chelsea, and is their most accomplished defender.  His versatility allows him to fill in anywhere at the back if another starter is seriously injured. 

Although I have been critical of Rio Ferdinand in the past for his concentration lapses, his central defensive pairing with Nemanja Vidic has been the league’s best this season.

Their styles complement each other. Vidic is the no-nonsense defender who wins every ball and leads with authority. Ferdinand can orchestrate play and build from the back.  Ferdinand has made 1,245 passes this season—fifth highest in EPL.

Arsenal’s major defensive strength is pace, and in most occasions it gets the team out of trouble.  With Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy on the flanks, and Gallas mopping up, opposing teams often struggle to beat them in one on ones.

They are versatile as well.  Gallas can play anywhere and if need be, their Brazilian midfielder, Gilberto can fill in at centre back.

In today’s game, wide defenders have to be forward-minded, and both teams are well balanced on the flanks.  United’s Patrice Evra has an incredible work rate and gets up and down the flank.

Wes Brown is probably more reliable as a defender, and ventures down the line on occasion, but doesn’t present the attacking threat that Sagna does for Arsenal.   

Experienced defender Gary Neville is waiting in the wings to reclaim his place should Brown get injured.

In just his first season Sagna has played a team-high 35 games at right back allowing Emmanuel Eboue to play in a more advanced role.

Clichy has incredible pace and his left foot adds balance down that flank where right footers who cut in are more likely to start for Arsenal.

In the end, United have more experience at the back, and the center back pairing of Vidic and Fendinand are more stable than what Arsenal can offer right now. 

In the final tally, it might be the team with the best defensive credentials that will lift the Premier League title come May—and that team right now is Manchester United.