Match Day Man Utd v Arsenal, Saturday 19th November 12:30

[JimJams]

I'd expect Mourinho will instruct his players to kick lumps out of you so that's probably the best choice.

 

[JimJams]

Although Arsenal are away they should be livid with themselves if they don't beat Man Utd with that back line.

 

[smat]

Really?

I think that partnership is our weakest and without a Cazorla or Xhaka in the middle we struggle to get the ball into Sanchez and Ozil's feet quick enough.

The last time we started those two was Middlesborough and Liverpool wasn't it?

Cazorla's injured. Xhaka on the bench.

(my 'brilliant' was sarcastic ofc)

 

[smat]

Although Arsenal are away they should be livid with themselves if they don't beat Man Utd with that back line.

erm

 

[Storzy]

(my 'brilliant' was sarcastic ofc)

Oh

 

[Stevencc]

Valencia - Jones - Rojo - Darmian

 

[JimJams]

erm

What? Rojo and Jones? Darmian, a right back who has been shite playing out of position. We haven't seen Arsenal go away to such a poorly assembled Utd side since the 28th of February when...

...ok.

 

[smat]

I remember well the time United fielded 7 defenders in an FA Cup game against us and still won 2-0. These games aren't won by the line-ups, they're won (and lost) in the mind. Our only hope is that United players are equally/more plagued by self-doubt.

 

[Benji]

Unprofessional party boy Wayne Rooney DROPPED thanks to the massive hangover he suffered from his hotel bender. You're not 18 any more Wayne!

 

[Stevencc]

Well there you have it, two teams going for the win. Nothing resembling a back five, six, seven or eight. Pagnell will be happy!

 

[Humongous Fungus]

Referee has got 2 massive decisions wrong.

 

[Stevencc]

I thought Mata had scored there, excellent save by Cech.

 

[JimJams]

Referee has got 2 massive decisions wrong.

I know, those boots with that shirt! Eugh!

 

[JimJams]

Last 5 minutes Utd have stepped up a gear that Arsenal can't get to grips with.

 

[Renegade]

Didn't see this performance coming, United have been the much better side so far. You have to wonder why Mourinho hasn't been adventurous in other big games considering the state of today's backline. Never a penalty either.

 

[Stevencc]

Not much between the sides so far - think United have just about edged it but going in level seems fair. Arsenal's game plan seems to be as simple as "give it to Sanchez and hope he does something", he hasn't managed it yet but I wouldn't be surprised if he did in the second half so we need to step it up a bit.

I think the ref got the Monreal/Valencia penalty call right - Monreal had his arm across him but Valencia was pushing down on his shoulder and either way there was not enough pressure on Valencia to make him go down.

 

[smat]

Screechingly inevitable tbh. We've not had a shot on target despite lots of the ball in United's territory, and United have had 2/3 decent openings and forced some decent saves out of Cech. Not horrendous though, from a performance point of view.

 

[Benji]

Ramsey shouldn't be playing as a left midfielder, but it was worth it to see him laugh at Mourinho.

 

[thespus]

Yeah, Man United have edged it, but I'm not too concerned. I wouldn't upset if it finished this way. Xhaka for Elneny. He has the inherent red card risk, but we perform much better with a capable distributor in midfield. I thought it was odd he was dropped after his most complete showing for Arsenal in the NLD.

 

[Stevencc]

Speaking of red card risks, Darmian needs to watch out. Walcott's pace is scary and all he needs to do is burn past him and fall over like he did for the first yellow and we could be down to ten quite easily.

 

[JimJams]

Yeah, Man United have edged it, but I'm not too concerned. I wouldn't upset if it finished this way. Xhaka for Elneny. He has the inherent red card risk, but we perform much better with a capable distributor in midfield. I thought it was odd he was dropped after his most complete showing for Arsenal in the NLD.

Wenger would probably have expected Mourinho to go a bit shithouse on you, and didn't expect Herrera and Carrick. Possibly expected Fellaini in there to bully a bit and in a tense atmosphere (which this actually isn't, but has been in this fixture in his prior experiences) it's set up for Granit to get himself in trouble. Maybe like you say in for the second half.

 

[JimJams]

Mustafi injured?

 

[Jamie_SFC]

Valencia - Jones - Rojo - Darmian

Arsenal somehow made that back four look solid.

 

[Stevencc]

Two chants within seconds of Rooney coming on...

"If Rooney scores, we're on the pitch."

"Rooney's on a bender, Rooney's on a bender, na na na na".

 

[JimJams]

Gotta be time for a Xhaka, Giroud and an Alex sub soon surely?

 

[smat]

In the second half we have been genuinely appalling. Deserved lead for United.

 

[Stevencc]

Mataaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

 

[thespus]

It was coming. We need more composure on the ball, we lose it much too quickly in the opponent's half.

 

[JimJams]

Might be too late for those subs now!

 

[Liam_SWFC]

That was a great finish from Mata, United have been the better team second half and deserve that. Arsenal need to step it up.