Arsenal 3:2 Manchester United

Chairman Steve · Jan 19, 2023

If someone said last week we’d draw against City and beat Palace, I’d be happy. The manner we drew to Palace was annoying as feck and we shouldn’t let that get to us too much.

I’m sure there was some conservative play on our part in that match last night (particularly the second half) because look how long we spent just passing the ball around the pitch, and not exuding much energy. I’ve seen that type of performance before under SAF and they always happened in those ridiculous periods where we faced good teams close together, with a tricky away fixture in between them.

In 2008 I think we played Blackburn away-Barcelona away-Chelsea away-Barcelona home and we didnt look particularly good in that difficult stretch of games despite looking immaculate before that. It was basically a case of grind out results and try to conserve energy.

schmurnan · Jan 19, 2023

I oddly don't feel as pessimistic as a lot of other posters in this thread. I don't hold out much hope of a result against Arsenal - I'm expecting a defeat - but in terms of the remainder of the season, we're literally around the halfway point; there are a lot of games left to play, lots more twists and turns to come.

I don't expect Liverpool to finish 9th, but that's where they are right now; they'll pick up and go on a run. City are having a sticky patch, but they're still in the mix and will come good again. We've been on a good run and hit a bit of a stumbling block last night (still not a terrible result, all things considered). Arsenal have been on a good run pretty much all season - their bad patch is yet to come (and they haven't played City at all yet). Newcastle are a difficult one - there's zero expectation on them, so they may fall away, they may stick it out.

Keep the faith, lads. We're performing better and are higher up the table than we thought we'd be in such a short space of time under EtH. We can only build on this and improve further. Patience.

pascell · Jan 19, 2023

christinaa said:
So optimistic!

If Palace had more of a cutting edge, they'd have beaten us yesterday, we were wide open on the counter, something Arsenal won't let us get away with.

Cnaiür urs Skiötha · Jan 19, 2023

We completely ran out of steam yesterday, and our bench is not great. With Casemiro out there is little hope to win the midfield battle.
Even with everyone fit Arsenal are ahead of us in their rebuild, they play some good football no question about that.
Maybe in 12 months with a few new players in we can go toe to toe with them, but this week we need to be pragmatic.

However, it is about getting top 4 so a loss against Arsenal would not be that dramatic as they are no direct rival for top 4 in that sense.

fergiewherearethou · Jan 19, 2023

schmurnan said:
I oddly don't feel as pessimistic as a lot of other posters in this thread. I don't hold out much hope of a result against Arsenal - I'm expecting a defeat - but in terms of the remainder of the season, we're literally around the halfway point; there are a lot of games left to play, lots more twists and turns to come.

I don't expect Liverpool to finish 9th, but that's where they are right now; they'll pick up and go on a run. City are having a sticky patch, but they're still in the mix and will come good again. We've been on a good run and hit a bit of a stumbling block last night (still not a terrible result, all things considered). Arsenal have been on a good run pretty much all season - their bad patch is yet to come (and they haven't played City at all yet). Newcastle are a difficult one - there's zero expectation on them, so they may fall away, they may stick it out.

Keep the faith, lads. We're performing better and are higher up the table than we thought we'd be in such a short space of time under EtH. We can only build on this and improve further. Patience.

I agree with you.
People forget how many games are left and some of the fans entered a "title winning hope" mood so anything but 3pts is a massive let down. I'm sure we will lose other games, even a defeat against Arsenal is not the end of the world.
We are in a position right now to realistically hope for a Top 3 finish and to win a cup which is a massive improvement on last season and good foundation to build on for the next season. Our fans should remember how we started this PL campaign.

If we keep improving and if we bring in 2-3 new players in the summer, we can realistically hope for a title challenge.

Marcus · Jan 19, 2023

Let's do this. We are underdogs but in pretty good form still.

Havak · Jan 19, 2023

I could see us playing three at the back with Casemiro out (if Martial is also still missing or nowhere near full fitness).

Honestly, I think the Arsenal fan's roars were louder for Casemiro getting booked than they were for Olise's goal.

That said, I'm not sure EtH would change his style because we are missing a few players. It will probably just be:

de Gea
Wan-Bissaka Varane Shaw Malacia
McTominay Fred
Bruno Eriksen Garnacho
Rashford

Could be Martinez over Malacia, Weghorst over Garnacho.

Just have to trust that the players can execute the game plan. Three at the back would probably mean leaving out all of Weghorst, Garnacho and Antony. So, I think EtH is more likely to do things the other way around and go three at the back of we are winning with 20~ to go. Like he would have at Palace if we got the second goal I'm sure.

Raven · Jan 19, 2023

Shaw to DM please, been hoping he'd get a go there for years.

Real Name · Jan 19, 2023

pascell said:
If Palace had more of a cutting edge, they'd have beaten us yesterday, we were wide open on the counter, something Arsenal won't let us get away with.

They barely threatened. Were in control and then that freekick happened.

Real Name · Jan 19, 2023

Havak said:
I could see us playing three at the back with Casemiro out (if Martial is also still missing or nowhere near full fitness).

Honestly, I think the Arsenal fan's roars were louder for Casemiro getting booked than they were for Olise's goal.

That said, I'm not sure EtH would change his style because we are missing a few players. It will probably just be:

de Gea
Wan-Bissaka Varane Shaw Malacia
McTominay Fred
Bruno Eriksen Garnacho
Rashford

Could be Martinez over Malacia, Weghorst over Garnacho.

Just have to trust that the players can execute the game plan. Three at the back would probably mean leaving out all of Weghorst, Garnacho and Antony. So, I think EtH is more likely to do things the other way around and go three at the back of we are winning with 20~ to go. Like he would have at Palace if we got the second goal I'm sure.

I think Martinez starts this one and not in the LB position but as a CB.

waza7111 · Jan 19, 2023

DDG
AWB - Varane - Martinez - Shaw
Eriksen - Fred - McTominay
Bruno - Weghorst - Rashford

A midfield 3 with Eriksen playing deep or else there'll be no creativity.

Leonzo1 · Jan 19, 2023

we will win this 2-0. we are actually a very tough match-up for Arsenal. with a solid defense and Rashford's pace, we can cause them a lot of problems. yes, they play some fantastic football and are deservedly first place but the Arsenal overrating on here is a bit too much. take out our two games at the start of the season and we are neck in neck with them in points while already playing City twice. we played 7 games against Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea, City Newcastle, and Liverpool. 5 wins and 2 draws. all of the wins were well deserved and to be fair the 2 draws were also very close to being wins. people here are going on about Arsenal as if they were prime Barca.

horsechoker · Jan 19, 2023

Why are all the pics in the op in black and white? :lol:

I think people are putting Arsenal up there in terms of fear factor with recent Liverpool and Man City squads. Lest we forget, these teams were regularly going deep in the champions league, with pool reaching the final 3 times.

I don't think this Arsenal team as is would do the same. This Arsenal team really haven't been tested, the quality of big teams overall is down. They haven't faced City and City are not the City of yesterday, Chelsea and Liverpool are crap. We beat them and we weren't exactly stellar.

They're rightfully favourites but I don't see us being humiliated. *fingers crosseed*

pascell · Jan 19, 2023

Real Name said:
They barely threatened. Were in control and then that freekick happened.

Hence my lack of cutting edge comment.

Real Name · Jan 19, 2023

pascell said:
Hence my lack of cutting edge comment.

They barely came into situations where cutting edge comment, that's what I meant.

pascell · Jan 19, 2023

Real Name said:
They barely came into situations where cutting edge comment, that's what I meant.

Zaha 1v1 vs AWB, Guehi header, then there was times where the pass was poor when on the counter. Let's not forget the situations in when they secluded Martinez and Casemiro in dangerous situations/positions, causing them both to bring their man down and get yellow cards.

Thiagoal · Jan 19, 2023

I’m not sure I agree with all the people suggesting Martinez start in midfield. He looked a little off the pace yesterday at centre back and would really struggle against Arsenals intensity in midfield

Berbaclass · Jan 19, 2023

The pressure is all on Arsenal now after we lost arguably our best defensive player. We still have more than enough to hurt them. I'd play Garnacho LW and Marcus up front and try and counter them as they play with a pretty high line. I'd have Bruno on the right so he can help with the numbers in midfield, Fred, Eriksen, Scott as a midfield 3.

Malacia or Luke at LB is a big call though. Not sure who Saka would fare worst against.

Heinzesight · Jan 19, 2023

Arsenals first bit of pressure and expectation to win a big game for a while (Spurs included) and I reckon they’ll shit themselves. United win.

Real Name · Jan 19, 2023

pascell said:
Zaha 1v1 vs AWB, Guehi header, then there was times where the pass was poor when on the counter. Let's not forget the situations in when they secluded Martinez and Casemiro in dangerous situations/positions, causing them both to bring their man down and get yellow cards.

2 chances, one was dealt with, the other was saved by DDG. Other situations you mentioned dont even count as a half chance. Other than that we dealt with their attacks in the sense they werent exaclty dangerous nor were we open to their attacks as you said.

LawCharltonBest · Jan 19, 2023

If United go into this match with an arrogance and the belief that they are better than Arsenal, then they will win. Not a doubt in my mind

Whether they will or not is another thing. We need a positive reaction to the Palace disappointment

gza the genius · Jan 19, 2023

Raven said:
Shaw to DM please, been hoping he'd get a go there for years.

I'd like to see this as well honestly. Same front 6 as City except Shaw for Casemiro. Martinez as CB. I think it'd go better than expecting Mctominay to do that job.

sallycinnamin · Jan 19, 2023

Heinzesight said:
Arsenals first bit of pressure and expectation to win a big game for a while (Spurs included) and I reckon they’ll shit themselves. United win.

If City are two points behind them before we play then they could very well do.

The Brown Bull · Jan 19, 2023

Real Name said:
They barely came into situations where cutting edge comment, that's what I meant.

Be honest. DeGea had to make two top saves.

KiD MoYeS · Jan 19, 2023

I'm confident. Feel like some of the players who underperformed last night tend to raise their game in the bigger games. Arsenal might be top and having a great season, but they're not an amazing side. We need to keep things tight in the first half, don't let them get into a rhythm.

Real Name · Jan 19, 2023

The Brown Bull said:
Be honest. DeGea had to make two top saves.

He did, but that doesnt negate my point.

Raven · Jan 19, 2023

gza the genius said:
I'd like to see this as well honestly. Same front 6 as City except Shaw for Casemiro. Martinez as CB. I think it'd go better than expecting Mctominay to do that job.

Yeah, I don't really fancy McTominay there, feel he'd be chasing shadows against Arse.

Cantonagotmehere · Jan 19, 2023

Ayoba said:
Players are shattered.

No chance without case.

I think we have a chance. But, totally agree fatigue is a huge worry. That Palace game a was a gut buster.

groovyalbert · Jan 19, 2023

Given the players we'll be missing and that we appear to be struggling with our current schedule energy wise, I'll be amazed if we get anything from this.

They'll be desperate to beat us after the reverse fixture and defeat would kill any hint of a title challenge we have. Expect them to go at us from the off and get a fair bit of success.

We're not going to bring in anyone else this window and, for the sake of next season, I think we're going to have to be smart regarding what we prioritize for the rest of the campaign. Effectively, once the EFL Cup is done regardless of outcome, I don't think we can handle going deep in both the FA Cup and Europa whilst expecting a strong end to the league campaign. We just don't have the strength in depth.

Bastian · Jan 19, 2023

Thiagoal said:
I’m not sure I agree with all the people suggesting Martinez start in midfield. He looked a little off the pace yesterday at centre back and would really struggle against Arsenals intensity in midfield

He might, but what's the alternative?

I suspect it will be something akin to

------------------------------------de Gea
Dalot-------------Varane-------------------Shaw-------------Malacia
---------------------------------Martinez
-------------------------Bruno----------------Fred
Rashford------------------------------------------------Garnacho
----------------------------------Martial

That's if Dalot and Martial are fit enough. Fred stuck on Ødegaard.

Hughes35 · Jan 19, 2023

Havak said:
I could see us playing three at the back with Casemiro out (if Martial is also still missing or nowhere near full fitness).

Honestly, I think the Arsenal fan's roars were louder for Casemiro getting booked than they were for Olise's goal.

That said, I'm not sure EtH would change his style because we are missing a few players. It will probably just be:

de Gea
Wan-Bissaka Varane Shaw Malacia
McTominay Fred
Bruno Eriksen Garnacho
Rashford

Could be Martinez over Malacia, Weghorst over Garnacho.

Just have to trust that the players can execute the game plan. Three at the back would probably mean leaving out all of Weghorst, Garnacho and Antony. So, I think EtH is more likely to do things the other way around and go three at the back of we are winning with 20~ to go. Like he would have at Palace if we got the second goal I'm sure.

I hope we play this team. Wouldn't mind Martinez over Malacia but other than that, it should pick itself IMO.

crossy1686 · Jan 19, 2023

We'll win this, it's already in the bag. Arsenal red card within 15 minutes see's us through with ease as they try to hold on for a draw.

LordSpud · Jan 19, 2023

We'll win this. I'm still not fully convinced by Arsenal. They've not beaten anyone in the Top 4 yet (lost to us, drew with Newcastle, havent played City at all). They've managed to squeeze their way through the first half of the season but I just dont see it. They've also beaten Chelsea and Liverpool who are having real off seasons. Probably their best result this season is beating Brentford at their place which is a tough ask this season.

Galactic · Jan 19, 2023

I’d take draw tbh. A convincing display is more important. We are a team still in transition.

croadyman · Jan 19, 2023

LordSpud said:
We'll win this. I'm still not fully convinced by Arsenal. They've not beaten anyone in the Top 4 yet (lost to us, drew with Newcastle, havent played City at all). They've managed to squeeze their way through the first half of the season but I just dont see it. They've also beaten Chelsea and Liverpool who are having real off seasons. Probably their best result this season is beating Brentford at their place which is a tough ask this season.

How without Casa and 6 point gap (point for GD chasm) still feels like miles away whereas 3 points gave me slim hope

mitchmouse · Jan 19, 2023

I'd seriously consider playing Lindelof alongside Varane and Martinez in Casemiro's position

ShinjiNinja26 · Jan 19, 2023

I’d go with the same line up we played against City and put Martinez in Casemiro’s position.

croadyman · Jan 19, 2023

moses said:
A draw there would be a great point.

9 points (pt for GD gap) is too much

Offside · Jan 19, 2023

croadyman said:
9 points (pt for GD gap) is too much

If we win could just go and lose our next game. If they win they could lose their next 3. We’re only at the halfway point in the season. 9 points is better than 12. A draw would be a very good result.

croadyman · Jan 19, 2023

Offside said:
If we win could just go and lose our next game. If they win they could lose their next 3. We’re only at the halfway point in the season. 9 points is better than 12. A draw would be a very good result.

When you look at their fixture list it's hard to see anywhere they have tough games together like we just did with City and Palace

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