Man United v. Arsenal: Could a United Romp Help Arsenal?

First of all I would like to say that I'm a United fan but I'm writing as a neutral. 

Watching Arsenal this season has been a treat for me. They clearly lack physical presence and the risk of playing young lads has not been paying off, and as a result Arsenal look all but mathematically out of the title race. 

Loses to the likes of Stoke and Fulham, and draws against Sunderland have clearly shown the frailties in the Arsenal line-up which, frustratingly enough for Gooners, was evident even last season, but Wenger has failed to try and rectify them. The question on every neutrals mind is "How much longer can the fans tolerate this?."

The answer has to be, a huge lose to their biggest rivals (sorry Tottenham, okay biggest competitve rivals, there!). Rewind to February 2001, United are 13 points ahead of the Arsenal in the league and a win will set virtually seal a 3rd straight title. Arsenal could have given United fans a mini fright with a win, but ended up on the losing end of a 6-1 mauling. 

The result? A complete revamp of the Arsenal squad. Petit, Overmars, and Anelka had all left the season before and that left Arsenal struggling, that lose was a wake up call for Wenger that change was at hand.

Adams and Dixon, two defenders who had been part of one of the most formidable defences in England, were growing too old and needed to be replaced. Winterburn had retired the previous season and therefore Arsenal were lacking a left-back. 

Then, next season saw the arrivals of Sol Campbell and Lauren, two solid defenders to replace Adams and Dixon. Campbell would go on to form a formidable partnership with Keown while Lauren had the makings of a solid defender and an excellent attacker to help out Ljungberg in attack. The season also marked the arrival of a young Ashley Cole into the starting line-up, his energy and willingness to burst forward would be a major reason behind the results that followed. 

So what happened next season you may ask? A league and cup double for the men from North London which also the basis for their invincible season of 2003-04, quite possibly their greatest ever team.

Now coming to this season, Arsenal are once again struggling, though for an opposite reason to that which was the root of their problems in 2000-01. The young side are failing to cope with the physicality of the league and even though having the easiest fixture list amongst the top four, Arsenal find themselves far behind the pack. 

Therefore, could another heavy defeat by their rivals mark a change in the scheme of things for Wenger and Arsenal? Would Wenger finally be forced to come out of his budget box and spend on experienced players to help pave the way for his exciting youngsters in the seasons to come?

How about a Senna in CDM supporting Fabregas, or Camoranesi out on the right providing competition for Walcott?

Only time, and results, will tell.