Joy And Pain: United v. Arsenal …
Game three of United’s pivotal week brings the challenge of Arsenal to Old Trafford, with Sir Alex Ferguson ready to deliver a title knockout to the Londoners.
Victory would put United 13 points ahead of the Gunners and continue Arsene Wenger’s miserable league run against United. Arsenal, have not won a Premiership game at Old Trafford since May 2002.
United, strengthened by triumphs over Spurs and Celtic, will approach the match in great confidence. ‘While Arsenal may have dropped points, we do not underestimate them at all,’ Sir Alex Ferguson said. ‘We need to play at our very best to win that game but that’s what we aim to do and keep our great run of form going.
‘This is a transitional period at Arsenal because they have lost big figures like Patrick Vieira, Dennis Bergkamp, Robert Pires and Ashley Cole and that has probably been reflected in their results so far this season which have fallen short of what they would have been looking for. When that happens you just have to be patient and wait for the next stage of the development.
‘I know exactly what they are going through because we have been through a same situation. As one great team begins to fade you have to bring through a new group of young players who could develop into another major force. It is difficult.
‘For one thing you build up an affinity and affection for players who have done well for you and there is a reluctance to part with those players. Also, it is not easy to find quality replacements, but we have steadily brought in new players and hopefully our period of transition is behind us. Our start suggests we are doing something right, not just because of the results but with the way we have been playing.’
The emergence of Chelsea as the Premiership’s dominant force in recent years has made contests between United and Arsenal as significant as two bald men arguing over a comb. Yet this match is still the must-see confrontation of the season, a game charged with rivalry, tradition and powerful memories.
‘I like everything about these games,’ said Rio Ferdinand. ‘The build-up, the atmospheres, the individual battles that can happen on the pitch, the history between the clubs. It all adds to it. In recent seasons it has warmed up on the pitch and, off the pitch, there is always added spice.’
Fans too relish the occasion. United’s faithful will take some pride in having witnessed the ‘Invincibles’ return to earth in the 2004 kick-fest that resulted in ‘the Battle of the Buffet.’
Sir Alex Ferguson’s men handed a football lesson to Arsenal the following year, outclassing the Gunners in a glorious 4-2 victory, with the highlight being John O’Shea chipping the keeper to score like a born-again Brazilian. The glory of that match was only surpassed by a 6-1 home demolition of the Londoners in 2001.
There are some bitter memories too. United fans cannot forget the pain inflicted in the 78th minute of a 1998 title-decider between the two sides at the Theatre of Dreams. And of course, Arsenal’s ‘Steal of the Century’ 2005 FA Cup final victory still rankles.
The absence of Roy Keane, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Patrick Vieira and Martin Keown, may lessen the physical intensity of the game but Wenger expects no quarter to be asked or given by either side.
‘If a game in England between Arsenal and Man United was not a very committed contest then it would be a disappointing game,’ he said. ‘That will be the case again.’ AU
© Copyright: Absolutely United 2006
