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 a keeper for a mid-table club, or a back-up at Manchester United.

Kusczak is in the same boat. Great for West Brom, average for United.

It is difficult to see either Arsenal or United replacing their No. 1 goalkeepers at the moment with the back-up's available, and Arsenal may have the advantage in that their back-ups are younger and haven't had the same opportunities to demonstrate their ability as the United shot-stopper.

Talk of Akinfeev and Mandanda is unlikely to cool, as both these teams appear destined to enter the transfer market looking for a No. 1 sooner rather than later.

 

Verdict

Manchester United by a country mile. Van der Saar is twice the goalkeeper Almunia is, and Foster and Fabianski are much of a muchness given their previous performances.

 

Centrebacks

Gallas, Verm, Djourou, Senderos-Vidic, Ferdinand, Evans, Brown

 

Arsenal

Since 2006 Arsenal has struggled to find a back four who blend well with a suitable mix of power, pace, leadership, and aerial ability.

Sol Campbell and Kolo Toure, on our 11-game run without conceding in the Champions League, was arguably the last time we've had reliable partners in the back.

Sol went a bit mad, so we brought in Billy Gallas, an excellent player for Chelsea, but he played at right and left back as much as centre back.

Unfortunately he went a bit mad too, and I think every single Arsenal fan from Shanghai to Senegal will tell you that handing him the captaincy instead of Kolo, Gilberto, or even Cesc was a huge mistake.

Since Vermaelen's arrival, however, we've seen a different beast.

Granted, we conceded more goals than we should have, and clean sheets have been few and far between, but Vermaelen added some aerial ability and toughness—which Gallas and Toure lacked when playing together—and of course a nice little goal threat.

The young Swiss centre backs are capable performers, and can handle any mid or bottom table side. In fact, any side without a prestigious centre forward.

However, Djourou lacks both the experience and steel to play week in and week out for Arsenal (despite some encouraging performances last year) and remains injured.

And Senderos returned from a loan spell with Milan with his confidence blown to pieces. Apparently Wenger tried to sell him this summer, and has shown little faith in his ability as a centre back. He fielded him at DM in preseason and only gave him a start in the Carling Cup.

 

Manchester United

Solid. They are just solid. Vidic is arguably the best centre back in the league, and Ferdinand, although a bit showy and prone to individual errors (often because of hubris), on his day, he is impossible to play against.

Furthermore, they have Johnny Evans who looks to be a fantastic player, despite his disposition for Kung-Fu kicks, and Wes Brown who played over 10 years for United and consistently put in good—no, great performances.

The less said about their defense the better. They are probably the best in the league and have been the foundation for their titles in the last three seasons.

 

Verdict

2-0 for the Mancs. While we have shown potential this season, we generally conceded goals when the game is done and dusted. We have shown immaturity at times, and we are only one injury from playing Senderos or Fish Face. Both of whom are simply not Arsenal players.

The less said about this the better really.

 

Fullbacks

Clichy, Sagna, Gibbs, Eboue-Evra, O'Shea, Twins, Neville

 

Arsenal

This is arguably the most closely contested category, and the last one I shall discuss today (tune in tomorrow when we talk about the advanced area of the pitch).

Since 2007, the PFA team of the season has been comprised only of Arsenal and United fullbacks, with the exception of Glen Johnson last season.

Clichy has dropped since his form in 2008, which saw him recognized as the best LB in the country, and he has been particularly disappointing since the beginning of this season. One blogger consistently calls for him to be dropped—despite having his name on the back of my kit!

Sagna also made a poor start to the 2010 season, but in recent weeks, has been back to his best. And on his day, he's right up there with Maicon and Alves as the best right back in the world.

Gibbs has a bright future ahead of him, and when Cashley Cole decides he's had enough for England, Kieran looks to be his natural long term successor. He was fantastic last season (apart from one little slip in one huge match against one despicable team), and has impressed since Gael broke his back a couple of weeks back.

Eboue was an excellent right back after Lauren left and before Sagna arrived, but with the Frenchman's arrival, the Ivorian shifted around the pitch almost as much as John O'Shea.

He continues to provide good cover as a right back, and is a useful addition to the squad despite some...er, hmmm...questionable performances.

 

Manchester United

On their day, Evra and Clichy do battle for bragging rights as the best LB in the Premier League.

Evra is winning it this season, but he also plays in a formation where less is required of him, and with two stronger centre backs behind him than Clichy has ever had.

Evra and Clichy are also battling for that starting spot for France, should they qualify for South Africa, and once again right now, Evra is shading it.

Man United chopped and changed their RB more times than a snake sheds its scales, but for now I'm going to consider John O'Shea as first choice back.

He's a solid player, who is big, strong, and reliable, and played every single position for Manchester United. Whenever called upon he performs commendably, but some say he adds very little to the attacking dimension of a team. That's true.

He's not dynamic, but last season with Cristiano in front of him, he didn't need to be.

Neville is obviously a great player. Probably the best RB in the history of the Premiership. While he continues to deliver dangerous crosses and provide adequate defensive cover, surely, at 34, he cannot be relied upon to play 90 minutes every game in the high intensity of the Premier League.

Finally the twins, Fabio and Rafael. Every Arsenal fan should be jealous. They look like Arsenal players. They are young, quick, confident, dribble with their heads up, have a bigger bag of tricks than David Blaine and most importantly—they look the same.

We all saw what Rafael can do against Arsenal last year when we won 2-1 at the Emirates. He scored a fantastic goal with the outside of his right boot.

They both wore youth caps for Brazil, and Fabio was the Captain of the U17 Brazil side. Furthermore, both have been approached by Carlos Quieroz to play for the Portuguese national side as both hold citizenship. Sneaky Red Devil.

 

Verdict

Tie. But only just. I think in a couple of years we could see Fabio and Rafael rampaging up the wings for Manchester United, and I haven't seen young fullbacks as excited as them as, well, Clichy and Evra.

I think they edge the left side of defense with Evra, however, we edge the right with Sagna. Our backup on the right and left are probably about equal, both of us having some prospects, Gibbs/Traore and experience, Eboue/Neville.

I also think more is asked of our fullbacks, as the players who play in front of them are pushed much further up the pitch in our 4-3-3 as opposed to United's 4-4-2.

However, you play the cards you are dealt, and you make the best of the current situation you are in.

 

End of Part One

2.5-0.5 in favour of United. We have some ground to make up.

Take care y'all,

Arsenal Adam