A long time ago, Arsenal versus Manchester United was considered to be the highlight of the Premier League calendar. From the late 1990s to the early 2000s, these two clubs were the undisputed heavyweights of English football, as no other team could prevent the domestic silverware from ending up either at the Old Trafford or the old Highbury Stadium trophy cabinets.
A lot has changed in ten years, however, and the emergence of Chelsea and Manchester City as cash-rich superpowers means that the tie between the most successful domestic sides of the North and the South has lost some of its lustre.
Nevertheless, it is still a fixture that generates much excitement, and this weekend’s clash will be particularly worth watching as the long-serving Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger goes head-to-head with a new adversary in the Manchester United dugout.
Here’s what you should look out for as the Gunners square up to the Red Devils…
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Chance for a new managerial rivalry
What made this game so special when both clubs were fighting it out at the top was the fierce rivalry between Arsene Wenger and Alex Ferguson.
The pair never saw eye-to-eye and simmering tensions came to a head in 2004 with the infamous Pizzagate episode, a bizarre post-match bust-up in the tunnel after Manchester United had ended Arsenal’s 49-match unbeaten run.
The animosity between the pair mellowed down following this incident and came to a complete end after Ferguson retired from the game in 2013, with David Moyes chosen to be his doomed successor. While the ten hapless months Moyes lasted at Old Trafford didn’t exactly give Wenger an opportunity to make an enemy of the Scot, there is some promise with the new incumbent at Old Trafford.
The confrontational Louis van Gaal is known for his no-nonsense, straight-talking attitude – which is more than can be said about Moyes – and the fact that his fellow compatriot Robin van Perise is now under his tutelage after spending eight years at Arsenal with Wenger should spice things up a bit.
Goals galore at the Emirates?
The two teams have not had much luck with injuries so far this season, especially in defence; Manchester United have been shorn of Daley Blind, Marcos Rojo, Rafael, Jonny Evans and Phil Jones, who will all be absent from Saturday’s game, while Arsenal are still without Mathieu Debuchy and Laurent Koscielny. A lightweight defence at both ends of the pitch could therefore lead to a high-scoring game, especially with Alexis Sanchez in excellent form and Wayne Rooney high on confidence after his exploits for England during the international break.
Just one point and one league position separates Arsenal and Manchester United, who have both made unremarkable starts to their campaigns. Both sides have tasted victory only four times, while the Gunners have lost one fewer game than United; it is therefore a testament to the competitiveness of the Premier League (or for those of you who are more cynical in nature, its decrease in quality) that a win for either side could see them finish the weekend in the Champions League places.
Recording a victory to boost one’s own European aspirations whilst simultaneously dealing a blow to those of one’s opponent would be a major psychological boost and could prove to be the catalyst needed to put early-season inconsistency firmly in the past.
England stars to shine?
Wayne Rooney, Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Danny Welbeck all impressed on England duty last week, and all are likely to be on the field on Saturday.
This makes the game an intriguing one to watch for neutral England fans, as they hope to see whether their impressive performances are a sign of a prolonged improvement in their game rather than a one-off occurrence. No doubt England boss Roy Hodgson will be watching from the stands, as the English defensive trio of Chris Smalling, Luke Shaw and Keiran Gibbs are also expected to be in action.
Plenty of English talent on show, then.
