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PREVIEW: Arsenal v Man Utd, Injury News, Preferred XI + Prediction

By on February 12, 2014

Tonight could prove to be a pivotal game in Arsenal’s season as we welcome Manchester United to the Emirates Stadium.

A win will see us move back to the top of the Premier League table following Chelsea’s 1-1 draw at West Brom last night – which is not bad for a side supposedly in ‘crisis’.

Sure, Saturday’s thrashing at Anfield was a huge blow but we simply didn’t turn up and collapsed after conceding two early goals. These things can happen to any team. We’re still second after 25 games, and have the chance to go top after 26, so lets ignore the ‘broken cannons’ we see in the papers and not forget that this has been a very positive season so far.

We haven’t had a better chance of beating United for years. They are a shadow of their former selves and while they still boast an impressive attack of RVP, Rooney, Mata and Januzaj, they are clearly very low on confidence right now and are there for the taking.

The latest blow to David Moyes was a 2-2 draw at home to bottom side Fulham on Sunday and if they play like they have done for 99% of the season so far, we’ll beat them.

Injury News

The only good thing from the Liverpool game was we didn’t pick up any fresh injuries, so we have a very similar squad to choose from tonight.

Yaya Sanogo is available again but I’m not sure he’ll even make the bench. Thomas Vermaelen is still out after suffering a set back in his recovery from a knee injury and he joins Aaron Ramsey on the sidelines with the Welshman still recovering from a thigh strain.

The other long-term injuries are Theo Walcott, Kim Kallstrom and of course Abou Diaby while Mathieu Flamini completes his three-game ban.

Preferred XI

I’d like to see Kieran Gibbs recalled for the game to replace Nacho Monreal at left-back, while Tomas Rosicky should also replace Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in attack. The youngster did okay at Anfield but we need Rosicky’s energy and work-rate and Wenger isn’t going to drop Ozil or Cazorla.

The rest of the team is expected to remain unchanged, meaning the team could be:

This side is more than capable of beating a beleaguered Man Utd team. It does lack a bit of pace, which is always a worry without Theo, but if we play our quick passing game we should be fine.

Prediction

There’s little doubt we’ll need to vastly improve from our performance on Saturday and the key is making a quick start. We’ve been slow out the blocks in recent weeks and while we’ve got away with it against some of the ‘lesser’ teams, we paid for it against Liverpool and could do so again tonight if we’re sluggish from kick off again.

Let’s get at them early and get the first goal. That will not only give us a huge lift but also deal a real body blow to their confidence. I’m backing the boys to respond tonight.

Arsenal 2-0 Man Utd. COYG!!!

What are your thoughts on the game? Will we bounce back? Or will out title bid take another hit?

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