The Arsenal vs Manchester United match will take place this Wednesday, February 12, 2014 (11:45 AM Pacific, 19:45 GMT). Arsenal will perhaps be quite pleased to be welcoming Manchester United to the Emirates right now, as they look to bounce back from the mauling they experienced at Anfield at the weekend.
After a demoralizing defeat against Liverpool, Arsenal’s title credentials have again been called into question, but each time they have been doubted so far this season, they have responded emphatically. Now is the ideal time to be playing a United side devoid of confidence and lacking in imagination.
United just can’t seem to do anything right at the moment. The problem is that David Moyes refuses to accept that both the performances and the set up he has thus far employed, have been very poor. If the manager doesn’t acknowledge the problem, or if he inexplicably can’t see it, nothing is likely to change.
As he takes United down to the capital for the first time since the lesson received at Chelsea, when they left with a hiding (and Juan Mata), Moyes will be praying that his side (whichever one he chooses) will be able to find some answers. They need to win matches, and soon. The reality of it all is that it can’t go on much longer. If Moyes takes 3 points here he gets some respite, but the fact that in his press conference he insisted they will press on as they have been and wait for their luck to change, really isn’t the sort of sound bite that any United fan will want to hear.
Arsenal Team News
Injuries still plague the Arsenal midfield with new signing Kim Kallstrom remaining sidelined as well as Ramsey, Diaby, Vermaelen and Walcott. The good news is that Sanogo comes back into the squad after a 5 month absence to bolster the attacking options.
Related: Full Analysis of Arsenal’s Possble Lineup vs Manchester United
Ozil, who has come under fire this week, will be looking to turn up in a big game for a change, and the defensive unit that shipped 5 at the weekend will have to find a way to quell the threat of United’s high profile attacking options. Oxlade-Chamberlain is the only player that came away from Anfield with any ounce of credit and he has looked really good since his return.
Manchester United Team News
United’s injury list is no longer an excuse, they are missing Evans and Felaini with Jones a doubt. Nani is supposedly fit now and has enjoyed playing at the Emirates in the past, but whether Moyes will risk him is probably quite unlikely. United fans will be praying that Januzaj starts the game after making a huge difference against Fulham at the weekend, and Mata, Rooney and Van Persie will continue to try to make it work. Can they all function in the same team? The jury is out right now, but a performance here will certainly be a step in the right direction.
Related: Full Analysis of Manchester United’s Possible Lineup vs Arsenal
Arsenal vs Manchester United Prediction
Historically, this game has always provided goals and plenty of talking points, and I see it being no different this time. Nobody can really expect United to go to the Emirates and win if they continue to play the same way that they have been. It’s always a different game at the Emirates though, regardless of what is going on in either side’s season, this game always takes on a meaning of its own as the intense rivalry takes over from other concerns. As a one off encounter with both sides looking to take the three points they both so desperately need, I can see goals here. Prediction: Arsenal 2 – 2 Manchester United.
Arsenal vs Manchester United Television
The match will be televised on NBC Sports Network (USA), for all other countries, check on LiveSoccerTV.
