Who Plays The Better Football - United or Arsenal?
It is likely that the Feguson-Wenger antipathy will continue for a while longer now that Arsene Wenger has signed a new contract with Arsenal until 2011.
There is no love lost between the rival managers and a contest between the teams is more often than not the annual football showpiece of the Premiership.
There might be even greater anticipation for the next showdown due in November as it is now being suggested that United have ‘morphed’ into Arsenal, after failing to replace Ruud van Nistelrooy with a like-for-like classic goal poacher. United’s approach play and careful passing are admirable but in the games so far there has been little end product.
Nevertheless, United at their best are thrilling. So too are Arsenal. Both teams leave the rest trailing from a football aesthetic point of view. But in their private argument, which team plays the better football?
Arsenal fan Charlie and the AU editor go toe to toe.
Charlie: It’s got to be Arsenal
Under Wenger, Arsenal have consistently played better football than United. The Professor is a purist, who has constructed a team in his own image. The Invincibles were Wenger’s vision made flesh. United had to commit GBH on most of the team that infamous day at Old Trafford to bring the glorious run to an end.
Football at the Emirates is unlike anything seen anywhere else in Britain. It’s sport and education at the same time. The ball stays on the ground and is moved quickly to feet. This is the way the beautiful game should be played.
Most teams tremble when they play the Arsenal. We spanked United twice last season and humbled Liverpool too. All this without anyone you would call a bruiser.
Wenger has brought success to Arsenal and done so without compromising his standards. He’s done it mostly with kids. Everyone talks about Henry. Mark my words, he’ll not be the same player with Barcelona. Henry didn’t make Arsenal. Arsenal made Henry.
Yes, United won the title last season and played some nice stuff along the way. But you can keep your Rooneys and Ronaldos. I’m Arsenal till death. Watch us go this season!
AU Editor: United play football that wins trophies
Nice try Charlie. Who plays the better football? Is there any doubt? Football is about winning and entertainment. There is no better place than Old Trafford for both.
Fergie’s team scored more goals than anyone else last year. The team has more match winners and more variety in its play. There’s no squealing from Manchester after a trip to Ewood or the Reebok. United can beat all-comers.
More importantly, United know how to make their football count. United won the league in the toughest race yet for the Premiership. Where were Arsenal with all the talk about beautiful football?
Arsenal are a fine team but it prospers when the opposition lets it play. When opponents chase and harry and stop the better Gunners from dictating the tempo, watch how the Arsenal heads go down.
United are the Premiership’s reference and the benchmark against which all the rest are judged.
Football may be pretty at the Emirates but it’s gloriously effective at Old Trafford.
(On Sep 9th, 2007 at 10:53 pm)
Who plays the better football…?
The editor has quite a funny way of answering this
question. First of all, do you mean the most effective or the most attractive/entertaining football? If the latter is the case then there is no competion. Arsenal is by far superior to United. Ask neutral fans and you will get the answer. When it comes to effective football, united has been the better side of the two in the last 2 seasons. As you may have noticed arsenal is building a new team. This takes time and they have a lot of inexpirience. Allready now we see a wast improvement and in 1-2 seasons I predict Arsenal will have a fantastic team. United play much more attractive football than Liverpool and Chelsea, but they cannot match arsenal in this cathegory. And it is of course more difficult to win league playing the arsenal way than the united way. The more destructive you are , the easier it is to get results. (Chelsea is a good example)
And what about Ferguson’s moaning about ref’s not protecting Ronaldo……????
And what about all the money that United has spent on players comapred to Wenger’s spending…?
For me Wenger wants to create something very very special - something beautiful - something that people will remember - and he’s diamond is soon the finnished article
(On Sep 9th, 2007 at 12:47 am)
‘And what about Ferguson’s moaning about ref’s not protecting Ronaldo’
You mean he doesn’t like it when its dished out to one of his players? What a surprise!
Its OK for his players to kick lumps off Arsenal, but as soon as anyone touches Ronaldo, old red nose moans?
I also noticed that the editor offered no defence to that particular charge of violent conduct. I digress.
Back to the main question: who plays the better football? For pure eye candy, it has got to be Arsenal. Before anyone says that its all style and no substance, we have won our fair share of titles over the last 10 years playing this brand of football, and on a considerably smaller budget than Man U and other wannabes (Liverpool, Newcastle, Spurs Etc.)
However, I must concede that Man U played the more effective football these last 2/3 years. Although I am not sure why anyone should be proud when their team puts winning first, sod the football (this doesnt apply to last season, when united played some decent football on the way to the title).
I still remember the outcry from you lot when we resorted to ‘effective’ football and mugged you in the Cup Final. I was certainly not proud of my team then, even though we won. I just hope I will never have to go through the days of singing ‘One-nil to the Arsenal’ and meant it ever again.
(On Sep 9th, 2007 at 8:09 am)
Both parties have valid points on their side. If we are talking eye pleasing football with high entertainment value even hardcore MU fans around me agree that Arsenal stands alone at the top. Shrewdness and physical toughness were not our strongest asset in the past couple of years but anyone who is watching the games can see that this has changed considerably.
I am happier with Wenger but I respect what Sir Alex has achieved over the years (how can you possibly not respect that), but as mentioned in another post his over-protective stance regarding Ronaldo was something few people could understand. Ronaldo’s dives have been some of the most riciculous dives ever seen and I’d like see Sir Alex get that straight. It is an embarrassement for the club and it’s most definitely unworthy for a player of Ronaldo’s quality (which is undisputed).
(On Sep 9th, 2007 at 8:14 am)
Who plays better football ??? It’s of course the only one Arsenal Fc the Samba Boy’s of Europe, without doubt. Why ? Because, Arsenal plays ground football, one touch football, short passes, with a lot of footwork which we call football not like the other european clubs especially Man United who plays high ball game with long passes & it’s volleyball not football, you get what i mean ?? & another thing Arsenal plays with 11 players not like Man United have 14 players in the pitch, which determined the result of the game, ok. Be fair….. to none English players club, Democracy.
Arsenal Fan
Malaysia.
(On Sep 9th, 2007 at 8:44 pm)
I think we are being a little unfair to United. Last year they played some really beautiful football, with the added advantage of shooting at goal instead of endlessly shuffling the ball around the box. Undoubtably Arsenal play the most purist, aesthetic football, hopefully this year goals won’t be such an afterthought.
Surely the ‘effective’ tag (read dull but efficient) must go to Chelsea.