Manchester United vs. Arsenal: 7 Reasons Why Arsenal Will Not Win
Arsenal's midweek UEFA Champions League success has given manager Arsène Wenger some respite to an otherwise stress-ridden period.
Get out the stress ball Wenger!
There's only one outcome in tomorrow's game against Manchester United, and it's not an Arsenal victory.
Here are the seven reasons why Arsenal will not win.
Negative and Losing Attitude in Arsenal Dressing Room
1 of 8Kolo Touré's departure from Arsenal left Arsène Wenger with no steady senior leadership.
On one side of the spectrum, you had William Gallas, who, according to Samir Nasri, was so disliked that half the Arsenal team didn't speak to him. On the other side of the spectrum, you had humble, unassuming Cesc Fàbregas, who went to sleep dreaming of winning trophies for Barcelona.
Does it shock you that, when the captain of the team wants to leave, everyone else wants to leave?
Au revoir Gaël.
Au revoir Denílson.
Au revoir Samir.
Au revoir Nicklas.
And...au revoir Cesc, who, by winning two trophies in about 25 minutes of play compared to the one trophy he won in over 303 games (Community Shield does not count), highlights the losing attitude in the Arsenal dressing room.
Sooner rather then later, it will be au revoir Arsène.
Hungover from Losing Cesc Fàbregas and Samir Nasri
2 of 8There's no real achievement in defeating Udinese, just like there won't be any real achievement for Manchester United if they defeat Arsenal tomorrow.
Arsenal versus Udinese would be accurately described as the weak versus the feeble; remember that Udinese lost their three best players: Alexis Sánchez to Barcelona, Gökhan İnler to Napoli and Cristián Zapata to Villarreal.
Arsenal have lost Cesc Fàbregas and Samir Nasri.
They're a wounded animal, and the outcome is out of their hands. Instead, it's in the hands of Manchester United.
Will they show pity and allow Arsenal into the game? Or will they stamp their authority from the get go and mercilessly kick Arsenal to the curb, as the Gunners lie hungover from losing Fàbregas and Nasri.
Split Straight Through the Centre
3 of 8If not for Wojciech Szczęsny, then poor old Arsène Wenger would have suffered a nervous breakdown leading into tomorrow's game.
I don't rate Laurent Koscielny at all, but Arsenal fans will cling onto the hope that maybe the Koscielny that played against Barcelona turns up. Even though the Frenchmen is struggling with a back injury.
Thomas Vermaelen is struggling with an ankle injury, and look, it's still early on in the season—you don't want to be endanger your entire season by playing a half fit Vermaelen just to save face.
What happens if he aggravates his injury and is out for the rest of the season?
Miquel is just a kid, useless Sébastien Squillaci is out injured and Johan Djourou, who hasn't played in midfield since 2007, is tipped for the defensive midfield position.
Playing Your Best Right Back at Left Back
4 of 8Carl Jenkinson's 30 or so minutes at left back, where he was tormented by flying Chilean winger Mauricio Isla, has promoted Arsène Wenger to play the Finnish youngster at right back.
Yes, at right back, over the dependable Bacary Sagna who will play at left back.
If Wenger had bought José Enrique for a cheap £6 million, Arsenal wouldn't be in this situation.
Either way, an in-form Ashley Young up against an inexperienced Jenkinson does not seem right.
Nani up against Sagna, whose dominant foot will be facing inside, isn't ideal either.
Holes in Midfield
5 of 8I like the look of Emmanuel Frimpong, who, unlike Gervinho, got value for his red card.
Finally, some nastiness and bite in midfield to compliment Alex Song, who spends way too much time charging up forward.
All three will be suspended for tomorrow, combined with injuries to Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby.
When Claude Makélélé was unceremoniously dumped from Real Madrid, compatriot and teammate Zinedine Zidane said, "Why put another layer of gold paint on the Bentley, when losing the entire engine?"
There is no engine room in this Arsenal midfield, and a lot of work will be unfairly designated to young Welshmen Aaron Ramsey.
If you can't control the midfield, you won't control the game; therefore, you won't win the game.
Can't Expect Robin Van Persie to Do Everything
6 of 8Theo Walcott yearns to play as a forward, whereas Andrei Arshavin continues to disappoint; as a result, both aren't pulling their weight.
How can Arsenal break through an impressive Manchester United backline of Chris Smalling, Rio Ferdinand, Phil Jones and Patrice Evra?
Really, what will happen is Arsenal will have to hope Robin van Persie dons his superman cape.
Form
7 of 8In the past 13 games, how many points do you think Arsenal have accumulated?
24 points? Eight wins, three draws and two losses sounds about right.
No, 13 points in 13 games.
Yes, 13 points in their last 13 games.
In the past eight games against Manchester United, Arsenal have only won once.
That was last season in a meaningless game in Matchday 35.
Predict the Result
8 of 8Predict the result.
Comment below with the result you think will end up.
Can Arsenal memorably come back against the odds? Or will they be comprehensively beaten? It might even be a historic beating.
Please also read Champions League Draw 2011: Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal—an in-depth analysis of the opponents your club is facing.
