Why Manchester United Will Win the EPL, Part 2

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.