Arsenal versus Manchester United – Match Preview: English Premier League
The English Premier League title race comes to a head on Sunday, May 1st, 2011 at the Emirates stadium as Manchester United travel to London to take on Arsenal. For Arsenal this match has turned into a battle for pride
but for their northern neighbours, this encounter will be seen as a stepping stone towards their 19th league triumph. Let’s take a look at how both the teams might line-up at the Emirates stadium:
Arsenal
Arsene Wenger’s men are out of the title race courtesy of their loss to Bolton in their last Premier League outing. Currently third in the English Premier League rankings, Arsenal will be looking to salvage some confidence and
a bit of pride by gaining all three points against Manchester United. One cannot deny that there is a sadistic joy as well in ruining one’s rival’s title challenge as well. United need to win at Arsenal to maintain a safe distance from the likes of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786
who are hot on their heels at the moment.
However Arsenal are going through a patchy run of form. The Gunners have been winless in their last three encounters. Moreover, they have developed a frustrating knack of dropping points from winning positions in their Premier
League ties.
Manchester United
Sir Alex Ferguson has a 19th league title in his sights but Arsenal and Chelsea stand in their way. United’s next two encounters in the English Premier League will decide their fate as league leaders come the end of
May. The Red Devils play Arsenal on Sunday, 1st of May 2011 and then host Schalke 04 in the UEFA Champions League semi-final, after that they face-off against Chelsea next weekend.
United are in a superb form at the moment. Ferguson’s outfit disposed of Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League by winning both home and away legs. After that they won against Everton and drew against Newcastle
United in the Premier League. Their only loss in the last five competitive fixtures came against Manchester City in the semi-finals of the F.A Cup at Wembley stadium.
Team News
Arsenal have no particular injury worries ahead of the fixture against Manchester United. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lukasz-Fabianski-c22910
is a sure shot absentee as he is out for the rest of the season due to his shoulder injury.
Expected Arsenal line up: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Robin-van-Persie-c31380
Manchester United’s injured midfielder, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Owen-Hargreaves-c28918, is their only injury concern. Darren Fletcher has fortunately recovered from his long standing virus problem and might start for the Red Devils in this title deciding match-up.
Expected Manchester United line up:
Edwin Van Der Sar, John O’Shea, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Darren-Fletcher-c10361, Anderson, Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez
Key Players
Arsenal will bank on their captain and talisman, Cesc Fabregas, to give a match winning performance. The Spanish playmaker has faded as the season has progressed into the business end. However, a vital title determining encounter
against Manchester United is the best chance for Fabregas to prove his loyalty and devotion to the Gunners.
On the other hand, after assisting one and scoring the other in Manchester United’s two goal win over Schalke 04 in mid-week, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Wayne-Rooney-c36736 will be carrying the offensive responsibilities for the Red Devils. Rooney has not had a
vintage season for Manchester United but the Englishman has finally hit top gear just at the right time for Ferguson’s men as the season draws to the close in both domestic and European terms.
Prediction
Sir Alex Ferguson’s men will be favourites to get all three points at the Emirates stadium but Arsenal will give it their all as well, thus a scored draw is the most favourable result on Sunday afternoon. Prediction: Arsenal 1
- 1 Manchester United.
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