Match Focus: Arsenal Absentees Impact on United Outcome

Following on from our previous article on Sunday’s two main Premier League showdowns, WhoScored now takes a look at Arsenal’s chance for revenge on Man United as the champions make their way to the Emirates. The 8-2 defeat at Old Trafford back in August sent shock waves around the country and prompted Arsene Wenger to splash the cash late on in the summer transfer window, adding some much-needed experience to his youthful side. We analyse that previous game and look for pointers that could give the Gunners cause for optimism this time around:

In terms of form, Arsenal have encountered something of a mini-winter slump of late. Wenger’s side have lost their last two games on the road after taking the lead in both but at home, it’s a different matter. The Gunners have dropped just 4 points at the Emirates since being beaten by Liverpool in their first home game of the season and are a formidable force in front of their own fans. With Manchester United also losing two of their last three league matches, it’s fair to say neither side has been firing on all cylinders in the New Year.

In fairness to Arsenal, their team will be vastly different to the one that visited Old Trafford and it’s easy to be overly critical of what was a far from first-choice team that day. Arguably, not one of Arsene Wenger’s preferred back-four took to the field in the 8-2 defeat due to injuries. Once again, though, the Gunners have selection problems at the back but not to the extent of last time around.

A look at Arsenal’s average positions in August shows the full-backs were particularly culpable. Young Carl Jenkinson pushed far too high on the right against Ashley Young, allowing the United winger plenty of space in behind to wreak havoc. Jenkinson was sent off for two bookable offences but by then, his side were 6-2 down and the damage had been long done. Young made 5 key passes and had 4 shots, walking away with 2 goals and 3 assists that day as a result, but is unavailable this time through injury. It’s perhaps doubtful whether he would have started anyway, with the form of Antonio Valencia a major plus for the champions right now.

This time round, it’s likely to be Nani up against Johan Djourou on the Gunners right flank, with Bacary Sagna still sidelined with an ankle injury. Djourou was dire in the centre of the back-four at Old Trafford; while Laurent Koscielny made 5 interceptions, 7 clearances and won 3 aerial duels alongside him, Djourou made 3 interceptions, 3 clearances and won a single aerial duel in comparison. The Swiss international was also booked and made an error leading to a United goal, picking up a lowly 3.96 rating for his display, easily the lowest of any player on the pitch. Sir Alex Ferguson may even opt to play Ji-Sung Park instead of Nani, however, with the Korean’s work-rate serving in his favour when it comes to certain crucial matches.

Per Mertesacker was one of Wenger’s summer purchases but, despite his wealth of experience, the German has struggled in his first season in the Premier League. He has averaged just 6.46 in the WhoScored ratings, making just 0.8 tackles and 1.7 interceptions per game. For a player of his substantial height, 1.2 successful aerial duels per game is largely unimpressive - Koscielny has averaged 2.1 in comparison.

With Andre Santos and Kieran Gibbs injured, Mertesacker should fill in alongside Koscielny in the centre on Sunday - Thomas Vermaelen is hopeful of recovering from injury to play at left-back. Given he is likely to be up against Valencia his presence, or lack there of, will be vital - he makes 2.8 interceptions, joint-top for Wenger’s available defenders, and also blocks 0.7 shots per game, the highest of any Arsenal player.

In the middle, Mikel Arteta is out for the hosts, though Alex Song will start, with Aaron Ramsey just ahead. Back in August, Arteta was still at Everton and Song suspended, leading to a makeshift midfield of Ramsey, Francis Coquelin and Thomas Rosicky. This area proved crucial last time - United completely outfought Arsenal with a total of 31 tackles to 15, with their midfield producing 21 tackles in comparison to the Gunners measly 6. Song’s 2.9 average of tackles and 2.2 interceptions over the season, along with Arteta’s 77.5 passes and 2.2 key passes per game highlights how perfectly the pair work in tandem – so the Spaniard’s absence could be key.

A look at United’s stats that day shows the hosts managed 25 shots, with 60%, or 15, of those coming inside the Arsenal penalty area - clearly an indication of just how poorly the visitors defended. Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck, the United front two, had a field day - they managed 11 shots and 4 goals between them. Arsenal still got forward plenty; they managed 20 shots, with Robin Van Persie and Andrei Arshavin also firing 11 shots between them. While Van Persie managed to find the net, Arshavin only had 2 of his 7 shots on target and failed to score. Arshavin is likely to feature again, with Gervinho on international duty at the African Cup of Nations.

Overall, though, Arsenal look far better off for personnel this time round. The availability of both Arteta and Vermaelen would have been a real blessing, though - the duo missed last weekend’s defeat at Swansea with calf injuries and are struggling ahead of Sunday’s showdown.

With Van Persie in scintillating form up front, added to the on-loan return of Thierry Henry, the scene could well be set for yet another high-scoring encounter. Given that both Newcastle and Blackburn have recently put 3 past the champions, Wenger’s side will certainly be ready to attack. They just need to remember to defend, too.