[EPL] Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal

[Andi Istiabudi]

UNITED V ARSENAL: 10 SIGNIFICANT GAMES

Matches between Manchester United and Arsenal have had continuous heavyweight billing for the last 20 years, ever since Arsene Wenger stepped into the ring and guided the Gunners to third place behind the Reds in his first English football season, 1996/97.

Here we take a look at ten of the most significant contests across three different competitions...

United 0-1 Arsenal, 14 March 1998, Premier League
This crucial game reopened the title race when Marc Overmars’s 79th-minute goal left the Gunners just six points behind the pacesetting Reds with two months left in the season. A pivotal win for Arsene's Wenger's men, it paved the way for the North London side to overtake United and land their first league championship since 1991 with two games to spare.

Arsenal 1-2 United, 14 April 1999, FA Cup semi-final replay
After more than three hours of play were only punctuated by an opening goal from David Beckham and an equaliser from Dennis Bergkamp in the rematch, it looked as if United's Treble bid would be tested by a penalty shootout. Ryan Giggs had another idea... deep into extra-time, the Welshman glided through the opposition ranks like a knife through butter before crashing the ball into the roof of the net. Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman and his shattered back four were bewildered while Giggs’s shirt-whirling celebration, not to mention the goal itself, went down in history.

United 6-1 Arsenal, 25 February 2001, Premier League
This game marked the Reds' biggest win over the Gunners (at the time!) and all but secured the club’s seventh Premier League title by moving Sir Alex Ferguson's men 16 points clear with only 10 games left to play. In the opening 22 minutes of the game, Dwight Yorke netted a clinical hat-trick, and with the help of Roy Keane and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, United went in 5-1 up at half-time. Thierry Henry had initially levelled the scores following Yorke’s opener, but it proved only a brief respite for the visitors, as the Reds ruthlessly tore through Arsenal. Former Tottenham striker Teddy Sheringham rubbed salt in the wound with the hosts' sixth goal in injury time.

United 0-1 Arsenal, 8 May 2002, Premier League
The Gunners travelled north knowing that they just needed one point to win the Double at Old Trafford, following their FA Cup final win over Chelsea just a few days beforehand. On his 100th Arsenal appearance, Sylvain Wiltord scored the all-important goal in the 55th minute, sealing a special season for the Gunners who were confirmed champions without a single away defeat. It was a night to forget for everyone of a United persuasion as the travelling fans gleefully revelled in a famous win.

Arsenal 2-2 United, 16 April 2003, Premier League
When the Reds headed to Highbury in the spring of 2003, it was without doubt one of the most hotly anticipated matches in the Premier League era to date. Games that bring with them expectation of this level often fail to deliver, but both sides made this a clash to remember as Sir Alex’s side emerged with a three-point lead and long unbeaten run in the league still intact. The Reds' resilience and determination were evident early on when Ruud van Nistelrooy powered his way towards goal, deftly chipping over Arsenal goalkeeper Stuart Taylor to hand United the lead. Undeterred, the home side roared back after the interval with two goals from Thierry Henry that seemingly put them in the box seat. However, the Gunners' hopes were once again scuppered by that man Ryan Giggs, who headed home an Ole Gunnar Solskjaer cross to level the scores and secure an immensely valuable point for the visitors.

Arsenal 0-1 United, 3 April 2004, FA Cup semi-final
With the Gunners unbeaten in the league all season and United’s form indifferent at best, there were few who fancied the Reds going into this one. This school of thought was further backed up by the loss of the Reds' star forward van Nistelrooy through injury and few were surprised when Arsenal flew out of the traps and almost took the lead when Patrick Viera hit the woodwork and Dennis Bergkamp had an effort cleared off the line. United dug deep though and forged ahead just past the half-hour mark when Paul Scholes timed his run to perfection and fired home from Ryan Giggs’ pull-back. A well-drilled performance followed, preventing any sniff of an Arsenal resurgence and booking a berth in the final at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff, where United emerged as comfortable victors against a spirited Millwall outfit.

United 2-0 Arsenal, 24 October 2004, Premier League
This game sounded the death knell for the Gunners' incredible unbeaten run in the league, stretching back 49 games. Van Nistelrooy exorcised the demons of his penalty miss against Arsenal in the previous season, slotting home from the spot to make it 1-0 before Wayne Rooney put the result beyond all doubt with a close-range finish in stoppage time. Tensions ran high throughout the match - with ferocious tackles flying in left, right and centre - and afterwards when disgruntled visitors threw food at Sir Alex before his post-match interview! At the time, the result felt hugely significant for United, but neither the Reds nor Arsenal would go on to win the title that season. Chelsea did it instead, under the management of one Jose Mourinho.

Arsenal 0-0 United (5-4 on penalties), 21 May 2005, FA Cup final
The second cup final between the clubs had the drama of the first one in 1979 - when Arsenal won 3-2 - but none of the goals! The Reds dominated the game but just could not find a breakthrough with Rio Ferdinand's first-half strike ruled out for offside and Rooney and van Nistelrooy both spurning presentable chances to score. The Gunners' Jose Antonio Reyes was sent off late on, but this did little to help the Reds’ cause as a tense clash went to penalties. Both sides started well in the shootout, dispatching their first penalties coolly under immense pressure, but Paul Scholes’s miss created a gap in United’s scorecard and would ultimately allow Arsenal captain Patrick Viera to net the winning kick.

Arsenal 1-3 United, 5 May 2009, Champions League semi-final second leg
The Reds were aiming to become the first club to win consecutive European Cups since the Champions League format began, the Gunners were seeking their first ever triumph in the competition and there was only John O'Shea's goal separating the sides from the first leg at Old Trafford. The stage was set for a tight game, right? Wrong. The men from Manchester played with speed, energy and power from the outset and Wenger’s side just could not cope as United swept into an aggregate 4-0 lead. Ji-sung Park netted early on before Cristiano Ronaldo added a further two – one a blistering free kick and the other an exemplary example of counter-attacking football. Robin van Persie scored a penalty for Arsenal, awarded following Darren Fletcher’s harsh dismissal, but it was only a consolation goal as Sir Alex's men marched on to face but lose to Barcelona in the final.

United 8-2 Arsenal, 28 August 2011, Premier League
A significant match simply for the sheer amount of goals, it replaced the scintillating 6-1 win of 10 years earlier as the Reds' record win against the Gunners. Arsenal were missing an array of first-team stars but this shouldn’t detract from an excellent United performance, full of attacking intent from the get-go. Rooney notched an impressive hat-trick, with Danny Welbeck, Park, Nani and Ashley Young (with two wonderful efforts) also netting. At the other end David De Gea saved Robin van Persie’s spot kick, although the Dutchman did go on to find the net for the visitors, as did Theo Walcott. Carl Jenkinson’s dismissal added insult to injury for Arsenal in their ultimate nightmare at the Theatre of Dreams.

www.manutd.com

[zudomiriku]

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho faces big selection decisions before Arsenal visit... Paul Pogba's midfield partner could be key

* Manchester United haven't lost at home to Arsenal since September 2006
* Michael Carrick could be deployed alongside Paul Pogba in midfield
* Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is out, serving a one-match suspension

Justin Timberlake’s SexyBack was crowned No 1 days before Manchester United last lost a Premier League match at home to Arsenal.

That is a decade ago now, Emmanuel Adebayor with the only goal at Old Trafford in September 2006. Bringing Paul Pogba back was this summer’s priority - complete with *that* hashtag, one which would not look out of place in the Top 20 - yet his reintroduction to English football has not been easy.

There are certain mitigating factors to that - age, weight of expectation thanks to the world-record fee - but there is no escaping Jose Mourinho has endured midfield problems as a by-product.


Manchester United have to choose who partners Paul Pogba in midfield against Arsenal. Pogba impressed in United's last game against Swansea and scored a brilliant goal

Absolutely no case can be made for not starting Pogba when Arsenal arrive in the North West on Saturday lunchtime. His manager still has huge decisions to make in the middle of the park, chiefly whether Michael Carrick or Ander Herrera partners the Frenchman.

Or perhaps both, with Pogba further forward. There is also an argument for Mourinho to mix his tactics up this weekend - and not just because of added protection for Pogba or Arsenal’s free-scoring. Their rotten injury luck means the back four is not even close to first choice and with Alexis Sanchez probably fit and firing, United need to be pragmatic.

Mourinho knows this is must not lose - defeat would widen the gap to nine points - and could therefore be tempted to tinker.

The growing clamour for Carrick to start more games could well see the 35-year-old sit in front of a potential defensive pairing of Phil Jones and Daley Blind as an extra screen, mindful of Arsenal’s runners from midfield but without curbing the hosts’ attacking threat. Pep Guardiola has played 4-1-4-1 this season and not been pillared.

Mourinho has plenty of decisions to make over the next two days and Sportsmail looks at his options.

DEFENCE

It’s slim pickings in there at the moment. Chris Smalling is out for a month with a broken toe, while Eric Bailly will not be back until the festive period after sustaining a knee problem.

Antonio Valencia is battling back from a broken arm far quicker than expected yet Saturday might be too soon, which would see Matteo Darmian fill in, although there is a desire among fans to see Timothy Fosu-Mensah be given a go.

Fosu-Mensah was United’s star performer during the lacklustre Europa League victory over Zorya in September.

Mourinho has told Luke Shaw he is desperate for him to regain fitness ahead of the weekend and the left back was working overtime last week to prove he can make it back.

Shaw was criticised by the manager for not making himself available against Swansea but United want their premier full back in the XI.

Without him, Marcos Rojo is likely to start again. That could even be at centre half if Blind fails to regain his place, with Ashley Young then likely to be on the left.

MIDFIELD

The Carrick, Pogba, Herrera axis worked in the EFL Cup win over Manchester City last month and there is no reason why it cannot again. Whether Marouane Fellaini makes it is touch and go, while a certain amount of intrigue surrounds who operates out wide.

Juan Mata has been steady for Mourinho this season, while Jesse Lingard came back from that public rebuke following defeat by City brilliantly. Anthony Martial’s threat lies in bursting in behind his man. Marcus Rashford, too, excels on the left.

The assumption is that Henrikh Mkhitaryan will not be part of the XI - quite the shock if he is - and there are holes up front which Rashford could and should plug.

Martial and Lingard would certainly represent speed on the flanks and offer Mourinho the chance to play on the break, whereas Mata’s inclusion dictates enjoying more of the ball. It could be the Portuguese feels Arsenal are softer when hit at pace.

One thing is for sure, someone like Martial’s eyes will have widened on Thursday morning when news broke that Hector Bellerin is not fit. Carl Jenkinson does not have quite the same aura.

STRIKERS

No Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Maybe it will be a blessing for United, with the Swede having struggled before that win in South Wales, from a game you cannot draw too many meaningful conclusions from given the opposition’s plight.

So, Wayne Rooney or Rashford? Rooney is in contention to play but has been nursing a ‘minor’ knee knock this week. Then there are those photographs published in The Sun, which cannot have pleased his manager.

Mourinho is thought to be obviously disappointed but United sources pointed towards the incident happening seven days before their next game.

Still, whether his body can withstand starting against Arsenal is up for much debate. Arsene Wenger is definitely uneasy about the prospect of facing Rashford, who scored his first league goals against the Gunners in this fixture earlier in the year.

‘The guy who killed us last year was Rashford,’ Wenger said on Thursday. ‘I watched him against a Danish team in midweek [before their game last season] and he scored and I thought this guy could be dangerous.

‘His movement was good and he was strong. He took everyone by surprise.’

SELECTION OF MOURINHO’S POSSIBLE TEAMS

4-1-4-1: De Gea; Darmian, Jones, Blind, Shaw; Carrick; Lingard, Pogba, Herrera, Martial; Rashford
4-2-3-1: De Gea; Darmian, Jones, Blind, Shaw; Carrick, Herrera; Mata, Pogba, Martial; Rashford
4-1-4-1: De Gea; Darmian, Jones, Rojo, Young; Carrick; Mata, Pogba, Herrera, Rashford; Rooney
4-2-3-1: De Gea; Darmian, Blind, Rojo, Shaw; Herrera, Carrick; Lingard, Pogba, Rashford; Rooney
4-2-3-1: De Gea; Darmian, Jones, Blind, Shaw; Carrick, Herrera; Lingard, Pogba, Martial, Rashford

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3945362/Manchester-United-boss-Jose-Mourinho-faces-big-selection-decisions-Arsenal-visit-Paul-Pogba-s-midfield-partner-key.html

-------------De Gea-------------

Darmian---Jones---Rojo-----Blind

------Carrick/Herrea----Pogba----

------------Mata----------------

---Lingard------------Martial/Miki

------------Rashford-------------

[Ardiey11]

Originally Posted by Ardiey11

Jika dulu duel greget antara Roy Keane Vs Viera pasti bakal mewarnai laga saat pertemuan kedua tim ini

Tapi, berbeda EPL musim ini saat kedua tim bertemu bakalan terjadi duel greget antara kedua manajer. Entah perang urat saraf atau saat ada di pinggir lapangan nantinya patut jadi perhatian tersendiri.


Dg di pastikan minus Zlatan bisa jadi Rashford/Martial di kembalikan ke posisi terbaik mereka musim lalu, semoga menambah kepercayaan diri mereka untuk kembali mencetak gol (sehingga tidak selalu berharap ke Ibra).
Dg kembali Herrera, semoga bisa jadi starter menggantikan posisi Fellaini (meski kecil kemungkinan). Lihat permainan umpan pendek mengalir pemain Arsenal terutama Ozil, Sanchez, dan Ramsey memang perlu destroyer/ball winner semacam Fellaini tapi United sendiri perlu pemain yg mampu segera membangun serangan bukan sekedar bertahan. Jadi, dg adanya Herrera bisa jadi United menguasai ball possession karena kita bermain di Old Trafford jadi mengincar 1 poin dg bertahan bukanlah yg di butuhkan United saat ini.

Setelah beberapa waktu lalu saya post perihal ppersaingan dua manajer ini, mbah Wenger ada sedikit komentar perihal hal tsb :

Wenger : Ini Bukan Duel Saya Melawan Mourinho
“Saya tidak berpikir saya harus menjelaskan hubungan kami. Dia akan berjuang untuk timnya dan saya berjuang untuk tim saya dan itu sepenuhnya hal normal. Ini adalah tentang Arsenal melawan Man United, anda tidak berpikir bahwa anda akan bertarung melawan manajer, anda bertarung melawan tim,” ujar pelatih berusia 67 tahun itu.

“Beberapa kemenangan di Old Trafford pernah menentukan, namun kemenangan kali ini hanya akan memperkuat posisi kami di liga untuk apa yang ingin kami capai di akhir musim. Kami baru bermain sebanyak 11 pertandingan, jadi saya percaya jika pada saat ini tidak ada posisi yang pasti dari klub-klub besar.”
“Kami dalam performa yang bagus dengan 16 pertandingan tak terkalahkan, kami memiliki sedikit masalah ketika melawan Tottenham dan kami ingik memulai kembali untuk memenangkan pertandingan lagi. Bagi kami ini adalah pertandingan yang sangat penting, karena kami tahu kami memiliki peluang bagus untuk naik ke puncak kasemen ketika melawan Tottenham dan kami ingin merespon secepatnya dengan hasil positif.”

[fredrian.seven]

Nyumbang susunan tim...

De Gea
Darmian Jones Rojo/Blind Shaw
Herrera Carrick Pogba
Mata Rashford Martial

Siap di cadangan Mikhitaryan.

Semoga bisa dapat 3 poin dan kembali ke jalur papan atas.

[adi_Giggsy]

pokok e harus menang, entah bermain bagus atau tidak, target utama adalah 3 poin abaikan saja ball possesion and beautiful football.

[penk22_]

[alfiandrmwn]

mkhitaryan gak masuk starting padahal kemarin latihan, yah semoga saja malam ini menang

[fredrian.seven]

Kejutan Valencia udh bisa main. Padahal baru aja operasi. Kejutan kedua Darmian > Shaw. Darmian yang aslinya RB lebih dipilih dibanding Shaw yg LB murni.

Nggak ada kejutan terkait Mikhi. Sudah biasa nggak lihat nama dia di daftar pemain.

Tim terbaik dari pilihan pemain yang ada. Semoga bisa ngatasi speed dan kelincahan pemain pendek Arsenal.

[fredrian.seven]

Bahaya lihat Darmian. Gara2 KK jadi seperti nggak maksimal pas marking Walcott.

[fredrian.seven]

Mengecewakan Kecolongan di akhir2 dan SOT pertama Arsenal.