Monday's fixture is at 3:00pm ET, Noon PT on NBCSN in the US of A. Manchester United v. Arsenal (feat. Kevin Friend) will be the third time the two men above face eachother as managers of their resective clubs, and the first time at Old Trafford. The previous two fixtures resulted in United eliminating Arsenal from the FA Cup at the Emirates in January, followed by a 2-0 Arsenal victory in the league on March 10th. A lot has certainly changed for both clubs since then, most notably the fact that neither player featured in the now infamous 'swap deal' two January's ago are playing for either club, after both Sanchez and Mkhitaryan were shipped to Italy on loan this summer. Specifically for Arsenal, now that captain Xhaka has been declared a mainstay in midfield, it's up to the fans to band together and remain sane this season, while his leadership outshines his abilities on the pitch. Defensively, Emery has a lot of choices to make now that Tierney and Bellerin have officially seen first team game time, albeit in the league cup mid week. I don't expect either to start on Monday, but wouldn't be suprised if both are in the squad. With Holding now fit and available, Chambers picked the perfect opportunity to show his bestie that he is in form, and he's certainly given Emery a lot to think about. Surely (not) a win at Old Trafford will bring zero complaints from you lot, as winning always disguises what's really going on at the club. A draw will be met with exhasperation, and a loss will generate 12 pages of reactionary posts layered with insight, oozing with xG, and demanding that Emery leave before dawn and take his video tapes with him. So here's hoping we can take care of business on the road . . . Come on you Gunners!!!
Good EbeningAt least it usually is for Arsenal under Unai EmeryKick offs Win %Lunchtime 57%Afternoon 55%Ebening 71%— Orbinho (@Orbinho) September 26, 2019
Emery will play Xhaka, Guendouzi and Torreira against these clowns. And we’ll still give up 25 shots. Auba and Pepe will get about 7 touches each.
Lingard with a brace and an unknown teenager will score on his debut to give United a comfortable 3-1 win today. We haven't won a league game there in 13 years, even with us in better form than we are in now, and United in worse form. That, combined with the fact that teams who are struggling and desperate for a result, tend to get a result against us, has me completely skeptical about the possibility of even coming away with a point.
Lol at not using a still very talented and potentially useful player at all cos the manager has PTSD from being unable to handle the rogue personality of Hatem Ben Arfa 3 years ago— Michael Keshani (@MichaelKeshani) September 30, 2019
Yikes that's some major league pessimism. I'm hard pressed to think of when we went to OT while United were in a worse state than today. That said, I'd be lying if I wasn't nervous about how we perform today and whether we can take this game. All I can say is that I hope Emery had his eyes open about how we earned 3 pts in our last 2 matches, and how we played in them... the whole game against Forest and the latter stages against Villa. We've had a nice 6 day break, so in my mind there's no excuse for not going full-tilt right from the get go: Blitzkreig, high-press, direct, incisive, fast, whatever. Just no everlasting, patient build-up play please! And I pray that our GK and defenders have learned their lesson on when to play out of the back and when to boot it upfield. Please, please no moments like Hugo Lloris attempting a Cruyff turn, 3 feet from his goal mouth.
We will be skipping kangaroo court if we lose today and will immediately string up @Rewinder, thank you. @mebeSajid
Regrettably my obligations at the office today are stout enough I'll be hard pressed to pay attention to the feeds for this match. In lieu of that travesty I hereby authorize the Arsenal to clobber Man U and give me something to look forward to watching when I do get home tonight. Up the Arsenal!
On this day 19 years ago, this little gem was unleashed... https://player.arsenal.com/video/henry-scores-v-manchester-united-2000
Lineup is: Leno Kola-Luiz-Sokratis-Chambers Guen-Xhaka-Torreira Saka-Auba-Pepe Or something similar to that. Happy to see Lucas start finally, but sad to see Kiernan couldn't kick Kola out of the XI. (The only recent "like a new signing" to make the bench is Holding)
Rashford playing is a slight surprise. And Daniel James can be scary... Callum's gonna has his hands full I suspect. He better be up for this one! (DEFENSIVELY I mean)
LOL, Chambers @RB against Daniel James. Chambers should be @ CB with Holding. Joe Willock should be starting for Xhaka. This manager, man, this manager. NO CONSEQUENCES for BAD PLAY.