Arsenal vs. Manchester United Means a Whole Lot More Than Three Points

Arsenal's five-year dry spell at Old Trafford (they last won at that hallowed footballing cathedral in September, 2006 on the strength of a lone Adebayor goal) might best be summed up by last March's dreary 2-0 defeat in an FA Cup quarterfinal.

United skipper Sir Alex Ferguson is never short of words to say, but it was his lineup selection in this particular fixture that packed the most punch.

In starting the da Silva twins as wingers (they normally play at side back), and placing John O'Shea (another defender) alongside Darren Fletcher in central midfield, Ferguson was sending a simple message to his opponents.

Arsenal could try their damndest in passing United off the park, but the Red Devils would defend strongly and compactly, and hit the Gunners with surgical precision on the counterattack.

Like most of Ferguson's ideas in recent seasons, it worked to perfection. Arsenal amounted little in the way of actual attempts on goal, and United capitalized brilliantly.

Misfortune and a glaring lack of maturity have coalesced in recent Arsenal trips to Old Trafford, resulting in increasingly frustrating performances.

There was last season's December fixture, when United ceded the middle third of the park to the visiting Gunners, who passed the ball around with pretty precision on a damp, dark evening, while their opponents waited patiently before charging on their fabled counterattack.

United won 1-0 on a clever finish from plucky winger Park Ji Sung.

There was the unequivocal disintegration of August, 2009, when Arsenal had gone 1-0 up on a 25-yard Arshavin laser that keeper Ben Foster could only parry into the top of his own net.

A (customary) United penalty, slotted home by Wayne Rooney, and an absolute howler of an own goal by Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby—who sent a magnificent header from 10 yards out into his own net—proved the Gunners' undoing.

2-1 to United.

It was the same in 2007-08, the last season when Arsenal seemed capable of mounting a realistic charge at United. 

The Gunners had gone 1-0 up in that match as well, but United responded with that relentless storm they consistently conjure when attacking the Stretford End of their home park.

That match ended 2-1 in the Red Devils' favor.

Sunday's showdown is the latest opportunity for Arsenal to banish the (Red Devil-ish) demons that have amassed against them in recent years.

It's a glorious opportunity for the Gunners to continue righting a ship that had veered dangerously off-course during the first two weeks of the fledgling season.

An away win in Udine this past Wednesday, guaranteeing another season of Champions League football, has restored hope in the camp.

Now, those good tidings must be reinforced, lest they fade away like smoke swirling into the night air outside some North London pub.

Arsene Wenger must do without Alex Song and Gervinho, who must serve the second game of their three-match league ban, and Emmanuel Frimpong, a revelation in midfield so far this season, begins his own three-match ban. Jack Wilshere remains sidelined by an ankle injury, leaving Arsenal desperate for options in central midfield.

Whether they can mount any attack of potential consequence against the Red Devils will be a crucial talking point.

Talismanic striker Robin van Persie has been an isolated figure in attack during the first two league games, with only a handful of goal-scoring chances to show for his efforts.

It will be vital for the Gunners to provide him adequate service in the United attacking third, where the Dutchman's guile and deceptive pace could give fits to Manchester's youthful—if talented—defense.

Many fans have begged Wenger to grant winger Theo Walcott his wish in playing alongside van Persie in central attack. Considering the still-young Englishman has often struggled against top-tier English opponents when out on the flanks, perhaps this game will see his wish (finally) granted.

After all, the past few seasons have shown that Arsene's schemes haven't clicked at Old Trafford.

In a season which has seen so many of Wenger's long-standing policies questioned, perhaps this is an occasion where the proud Frenchman should acquiesce, and shake things up a bit.

With a potential loss on Sunday giving the Gunners a lone point out of nine to begin their season, something must be done. A point is the absolute minimum.