Absolutely UNITED

United Versus Arsenal: The Battle Intensifies

AbsolutelyUNITED ignited a firestorm last month when publishing a comparison of the United and Arsenal first teams. Most of the Gooner replies questioned the editor’s sanity and parentage. Arsenal Analysis gave its verdict which we answered in forthright terms.

Did the Gooners not like that! Back came another Arsenal Analysis opinion piece, so AU, not to back down in the face of a stern challenge publishes today the last word on the great United versus Arsenal debate. Read on….


Dear Eros

Thanks for your second missive comparing Arsenal and United. I appreciate your attempt to engage in debate rather than opt for the “your dick is short and you’re no good in bed” school of argument. But here’s where the pleasantries end. You are still nuts.

As comments on both sites reveal, football is a highly subjective subject. There seems to be precious middle ground between Arsenal and United and with both teams threatening to turn the destiny of the Premiership into a private argument, both camps feel entitled to claim the high ground. Arsenal have won 10 games on the trot. Respect. United have not conceded a goal in Europe or the Premiership since 19 August. The showdown next month looks set to be a summit meeting between the irresistible force and the immovable object.

Yet, I refuse to believe that football fans - and i count you as a football fan - are so blinkered by partisan loyalty that they cannot make fair assessments of team’s and players abilities. As your professor is wont to say, everyone believes he has the prettiest wife at home but even the blindest love can see the difference between Kate Moss and Mo Harris from East Enders!

With that in mind, let us return to our comparisons of the players on duty at the Emirates Stadium and Old Trafford. I invite latecomers to this theme to review what has already been said in my original article, your reply and my reply to your reply.

Let me now debunk some of the myths, falsehoods and outrageous slurs about United that masquerade as reason on the otherwise excellent Arsenal Analysis.

“Even you know that however much alcohol or drugs you take Wes Brown is never going to be a better player than either Sagna or Eboue. An ok utility player an international Right Back he is definitely not! There’s no point even arguing about it.”

This comment should raise the hackles of every United fan. AbsolutelyUNITED has been a somewhat severe critic of Brown in the past and believed that he was likely to be one of the senior professionals sacrificed to make way for the new generation of young defenders. Sir Alex surprised us by his loyalty and has been handsomely rewarded by Brown’s consistent performances as stand-in right back this year.

Brown is not a natural in the position but is getting better with every game. That’s not just my opinion. The Guardian’s Kevin McCarra wrote: “Where required, Ferguson has muddled along and with Neville unavailable for so long, Wes Brown is now so accustomed to the right-back role, where he also featured as a youngster, that he has been doing rather well there.”

So let’s have no more nonsense about Brown’s credentials in his new role.

As regards Sagna, I’ve been impressed by the speed at which he has adapted to English football and am even more delighted by the scissors taken to his dreadful hair style. But with less than a quarter of the season gone, are you really ready to crown him the better rightback? Goodness, with a mindset like that, Francis Jeffers should be lining up for England! Did you see the terror Sunderland caused on the Gunner’s right this afternoon which so worried Wenger that he hauled Sagna off?

Frankly, as I’m sure you might privately agree, it’s too soon to pronounce on Sagna’s value. He could put a lock on the right back spot. Just as easily, he could be due a spell on the benches as Eboue returns to make the position his own. With such doubts, surely Brown wins the nod. He is injured now but everyone knows what he can do. He’s got 10 years behind him as a top Premiership performer. You might win this argument in a year or so but for now, take off the blinkers and allow common sense to prevail.

“When I originally wrote the post Evra was the back up left back in the French squad. However Clichy has now made the French squad for the upcoming internationals! I think at the expense of Evra. So even Domenech agrees with me – I am not happy about this as I would much prefer Evra to play and Clichy to have a little rest. Since Domenech is the bees knees – you point out that he guided France to the World Cup final – who are we humans to argue with him! Clichy it is then.”

Ha ha ha. Running me through with my own words! I’m still inclined towards Evra because he’s proven at the highest level. United fans will remember his first game. He looked a shocking player who could never prosper in the English game. He did because of nerve, technique, ability and strength of character. These are qualities which would enhance any team. Clichy may have vindicated Wenger’s decision to sell “Cashley” Cole but he’s still a pup at the beginning of his career. He’s begun the season well but so has Evra. The question I’d like you to answer is what does Clichy have that Evra hasn’t? I’ll save you the trouble. It starts with N has seven letters, ends with ‘ing’ and in Wenger’s own tongue is translated as “rien!”

“You asked me how many games Arsenal lost last season; I think 9 is the answer to your question. However we did beat your United twice. I have just checked my stats and they say United conceded 27 goals last year and Arsenal 34. But making your decision solely on how many games each team lost last year is ludicrous!”

Congratulations. You won your cup finals. But then, West Ham did the double over us also. They were losers too, surviving relegation only by cheating. Wrap yourself in the stats book if you like but all that will be remembered of last season is that United were champs and Arsenal finished fourth.

“Toure last season had to play with a different partner nearly every week. Gallas was injured most of the season, Djourou and Senderos were in and out of the team because of niggly injuries and Gilberto had to slot in at the back. What you forget about Toure is that he and Campbell where the defensive partnership when Arsenal went a whole season unbeaten (something you never achieved and cannot even dream of doing), and in 2006 he was the corner stone of the record number of clean sheets that took Arsenal to the Champions League Final.The argument that Arsenal lost more last year makes Rio a better player smacks me as an easy way out so that no real comparisons are made between the players!”

Again, there seems to be a logic bypass here. The only excuse you didn’t include to explain Arsenal’s defensive frailties was Senderos’ dirty fingernails!

We both agree that Toure is a fabulous player with talent and ability. Where we part company is on the unanswerable view that Rio is the better player. Both are comfortable on the ball. Both have a midfielder’s touch. Both can score goals. However, Rio anchors his defence whilst Toure is better when as you say, he’s placed next to a strong agressive defender like Campbell, who can do that job for him.

The same accusation used to be hurled at Ferdinand. He was so much better at international level than on club duty because Campbell made life easy for him. Ferdinand nailed that one last year, so much so that Alan Hansen, someone who knows a thing or two about defenders said that it was Rio who helped Vidic to look so good in United’s defence.

You contrast Ferdinand’s concentration lapses with Toure’s alertness. What did you make of Jones’ equaliser this afternoon? Are you now looking for a place to hide?

As the most over-reported club in Britain, every player, especially a high profile one playing for England, is under a magnifying class 24/7. Ferdinand’s mistakes are headline news. His heroism - the second half at Everton being the most recent example - is buried towards the end of a match report. Meanwhile, Toure goes missing amid defensive chaos at the Emirates Stadium but is saved from a media savaging by RVP’s bullet. The African Emperor, he may be but Rio has had the better career so far.

You refer to the ‘Invincibles.’ Yes, that was an incredible achievement. Sir Alex said you played too many draws but I’m ready to acknowledge Arsenal’s extraordinary achievement. Would you accept that Arsenal’s success was founded on the defensive axis of Campbell and Toure and on the midfield vigilance of Viera. Once Campbell went nuts and Viera declined, Toure was exposed and Arsenal went south.

You are probably right about United being unable to go through a season without losing. United take risks. The team’s motto is death or glory. Ferguosn’s side is built to win games not defend leads. That’s why United have outstripped all others in terms of success and glamour in the past decade. Think about it! Wenger certainly has!

“You seem to also imply that Rooney has a better ‘range’ than RVP. I’m not sure what you mean by range, but I think that Van Persie is better technically, better on the ball and can score a goal from any situation. I also think he is a better finisher.”

The rumoured Muslim convert is playing a blinder this season but don’t be silly. There is daylight between Rooney and RVP as players. But you are right, we’ll never agree on this. Instead, just ask a none United or Arsenal fan who they would like in their team and I’m sure the Red granny-chaser would be the overwhelming choice.

“Lastly, you never mention the depth of your squad. I wonder why.Such is your lack of depth that Fergie relys on 13/14 players unlike Arsenal which can change any player in their starting 11 and still perform up to standard.”

This is by far your strongest point but events are moving against you already. Arsenal do have some great talents in reserve and last year’s League Cup run was incredible considering the players Wenger employed. But ask Liverpool fans what they make of rotation? Successful teams tend to keep the same group of players together. United’s glory last term was built on Fergie’s newly acquired discipline to play more or less the same team.

By the way, did you see the destruction of Wigan yesterday? If not, read the Red teamsheet - Pique, Anderson, Simpson and Nani all featured. There is strength in depth at OT too and the manager is “very happy” with his squad. This augurs well for a period of sustained United dominance.

“I have no illusions about United, I honestly think they are a good team, play entertaining football and they will be serious contenders for the title. I disagree however with the notion that it’s United’s title to lose. You lot better be ready for a fight, I know our boys are!”

United will test this new spirit of optimism next month and give everyone the chance to see just how solid is this year’s Gooner challenge. Bring it on!

ISpy

READ: AU on the Gooners

Ispy posted this article under ISpy on Sunday, October 7th, 2007 at 9:23 pm You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment or trackback from your own site.