English Premier
2011-08-28 - Manchester United vs Arsenal
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football : English Premier League
Sunday 28 August 2011 - Kickoff 4pm
This game is live on TV
Manchester United
Sir Alex Ferguson's press conference caught the eye for the wrong reasons in the media as he asked if the FA would stop treating Manchester United 'like sh*t' after suggesting it was United that have provided so many England internationals through the years. The reason Ferguson is so loved and respected by United fans is on occasions like this when it feels like he is talking as one of 'us' and not just as the manager of the team.
United have been receiving a lot of positive media attention as a very young looking side has won their first 2 games of the season and created a Manchester 1 and 2 in the Premier League, a position many have tipped to be the case in May. The 3-0 home win over Tottenham extended United's run at Old Trafford in the League where they are unbeaten in 22 and have won their last 16 games.
The performance was ok at best for 60 minutes of the game against Spurs, before a Danny Welbeck goal seemed to deflate the away side and allow United to pull away. Welbeck received a lot of praise for his performance, while Phil Jones looked an exceptional talent that had played all his life at Old Trafford. David De Gea also seems to be getting more and more comfortable in his role as the Number 1.
It will be interesting to see what team changes Sir Alex makes for this game and whether he will bring in a few more established faces. The appearance of Javier Hernandez on Monday was a surprise, but I expect the Mexican to be on the bench to start this game. Rio Ferdinand and Darren Fletcher are both back in training and pushing for places in the team as is Antonio Valencia. Nemanja Vidic and Rafael are the only players definitely missing.
Arsenal
I have to admit to feeling slightly sorry for Arsene Wenger under the intense media glare on Arsenal over the last couple of weeks, but the Frenchman must be happy in seeing his side qualify for the Champions League proper courtesy of a 1-2 win at Udinese on Wednesday. This, however, is an altogether tougher test for Arsenal.
It has been a tough start to the season for Arsenal having to play a Champions League qualifier as well as losing key talent like Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, the latter to a Premier League rival in Manchester City. They have picked up 1 point in their 2 League games played, and actually have more sending offs (2) than goals (0) in the League so far.
A 0-0 draw at Newcastle is not the worst result in the World, but the performance was not that good, while the 0-2 loss at home to Liverpool only occurred once Emmanuel Frimpong was sent off when the game was delicately poised at 0-0. That means the side have won just 1 of their last 9 Premier League games going back to last season.
Emmanuel Frimpong is suspended, along with Alex Song and Gervinho. Jack Wilshire remains sidelined with an ankle issue while Thomas Vermaelan should be available despite having to need a fitness test. Laurent Koscielny and Kieron Gibbs are unlikely to feature.
Head to Head
Arsenal may have won just 1 of their last 9 Premier League games, but that came against Manchester United at the Emirates in May.
That win also stopped a run of 7 games without a win against United for the Gunners, although they have struggled at Old Trafford in recent seasons.
United have won 6 of their last 7 home games against Arsenal in all competitions at Old Trafford, with the one draw coming in a game where a point secured United the title.
United have conceded just 2 goals in those 7 games, and have kept clean sheets in 4 of their last 5 home games against their rivals from London.
Prediction
For many Premier League seasons, clashes between Manchester United and Arsenal were to be looked forward to as they involved passion, power, speed and the destination of the title could very well be decided.
Things have not just mellowed on the field but off it too, as Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger seem to see eye to eye a lot more these days and may actually be caught having a drink with one another post-match.
The respect between the managers has been clear over the last couple of seasons, with Sir Alex talking up the achievements of Wenger in his latest press conference.
The game on Sunday looks to be one-sided as the away side are decimated by injuries and suspensions and I would expect United to come away with a win. However, quotes as low as 1.50 are an insult to Arsenal.
I do think Arsenal will be missing their creative players like Nasri and Fabregas in a game like this, as we have seen so often in recent seasons that United can defend well against this Arsenal team.
With 4 clean sheets in 5 games at Old Trafford against the Gunners, I am going to back United to win to nil at a standout price of 2.60 at Paddy Power.
I very much considered the Under 2.5 goals option at odds against, also a winner in 4 of the last 5 games played at Old Trafford between the teams.
However, with my expectation that some of the more senior players will be given a chance for United, I would rather back them to win to nil, especially if Arsenal defend as poorly as they did in the first half in Italy. The likes of Hernandez, Rooney, Nani and Young are unlikely to be so forgiving as Udinese were in the first 45 minutes, and so there is a chance United could score 3 goals and cover the 'Overs' themselves.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Manchester United 2-0 Arsenal
