Manchester United play host to Arsenal this Sunday in the weekend’s glamour fixture. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side go into the match having beaten the Gunner’s North London rivals Spurs 3-0 last Monday and are one of only three sides with a 100% record. Meanwhile Arsenal will be buoyed by an impressive 2-1 victory at Udinese last Wednesday which ensured their Champions League qualification for yet another campaign.
Likely Line-Ups
United’s win over Spurs merely underlined the strength in depth available to Sir Alex Ferguson. Despite the absence of both Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand at the heart of defence, the champions repelled Harry Redknapp’s side and seem certain to continue with the same back-four. The only possible alteration to the starting XI could be in the forward areas- Javier Hernandez made a brief sub appearance and may join Wayne Rooney up front at the expense of Danny Welbeck, despite the latter’s goal and assist against Spurs.
With Kieran Gibbs still sidelined with hamstring trouble, Arsenal may field Armand Traore at left-back- he made a brief return from injury at Udinese and should take his place in the starting XI. Emmanuel Frimpong’s red card in the home defeat to Liverpool sees him join Gervinho and Alex Song amongst the players banned for the Gunners, leaving Arsene Wenger with a real headache in the central midfield area. Johan Djourou also recovered from a hamstring problem to star against Udinese and should take his place alongside Thomas Vermaelen at the heart of defence.
Key Battles
Wayne Rooney v Thomas Vermaelen
One look at WhoScored.com’s ratings and it’s clear where the key battle lies- Wayne Rooney and Thomas Vermaelen are their respective side’s form players right now. Rooney, normally such a slow starter to the season, has been quick off the mark this time and has scored in each of his first two games- the first time he’s achieved this in his career.
Vermaelen missed the vast majority of last season through injury and it’s something of an irony that his return to full fitness has coincided with much of the rest of Arsenal’s first-choice XI being unavailable through either injury or suspension.
Rooney has been United’s main goal threat and joint-top creative force. He’s averaged 4.5 shots per game, with Vermaelen managing 1 blocked shot per game thus far. The United man has made a brilliant 4 key passes on average though Vermaelen has impressed just as much defensively, with 4 interceptions per game.
Rooney has lost possession 2 times per game and will be up against a determined opponent, with the Gunners centre-half managing 3 tackles on average as well as a brilliant 9 clearances. The United forward has made just 0.5 successful dribbles per game, but with such a strong attacking performance he has a WhoScored.com rating of 8.46 compared to Vermaelen’s 7.45.
Anderson v Aaron Ramsey
With Darren Fletcher sidelined due to a virus and Michael Carrick’s start to the season curtailed by an achilles problem, Anderson has wasted little time in staking a claim for a first-team place with a series of eye-catching performances. The departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri to Barcelona and Man City respectively have left Arsenal short of a real creative presence in midfield and have offered Aaron Ramsey a chance to earn himself a role in Arsene Wenger’s starting XI. However, a look at the young Welshman’s performances so far suggest he’s yet to step up to the task and the duo’s midfield confrontation may be crucial to next Sunday’s outcome.
Anderson has been United’s most impressive player for tackles, with 4.5 per game, and this work-rate and tenacity may give Ramsey plenty problems at the weekend- he’s been dispossessed an average of 4.5 times per game. Ramsey has been the Gunners main creative force, though, making 2 key passes per game, though Anderson, with an average of 3.5 interceptions, may well nullify his threat.
Ramsey has made an average of 59.5 passes per game but despite seeing so much of the ball, he rarely beats an opponent, choosing to make a pass instead- he has an average of just 0.5 successful dribbles- Anderson has been beaten by an average of 1.5 dribbles per game, suggesting Ramsey could have a more successful game if he chooses to take the Brazilian on more often.
Anderson, on the other hand, has made 2.5 successful dribbles per game so far and with Ramsey beaten by 2.5 dribbles, the Brazilian may take the game to his younger opponent. Ramsey’s defensive output has been limited- just 1 tackle per game needs to be upped considerably if he’s to help a Gunners midfield bereft of any real battle- Anderson has been dispossessed just 2 times per game and Arsenal will need a stronger performance from the Welshman if they are to prevent United from making it three wins on the trot.
