10 Things To Expect From Arsenal-Man United
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It's one of the biggest games in the Premier League calendar and, prior to Chelsea's emergence as a superpower, it was the rivalry in English football, even temporarily surpassing the likes of Liverpool-Everton and Arsenal-Tottenham Hotspur for uncontrollable tempers, box-office build-up and fiery fall-out, even though it lacked the comparitive history.
Now, though the rivalry is not quite so heated, the gamesmanship remains and the egos are as fragile as ever. So, looking at past encounters as well as the current state of each club, we asked a global panel of editors to give their thoughts on what will happen tomorrow at the Emirates Stadium...
1) Wenger won't see it
It just wouldn't be a big game in the Premier League if Arsene 'eagle-eye' Wenger didn't become unsighted at the most conveniently controversial moment in the game that ended up favouring his side. Rest assured, if the Gunners get a favourable call, the Frenchman will decline to comment on the incident until he's seen it again - but if it goes against him, he'll know the name, shirt number, birth date, blood type, favourite food and head size of every player involved and be filing a report to the FA faster than you can say 'Martin Keown'. (Sulmaan Ahmad, Goal.com International)
2) Rio gaffe to gift Gunners a golden opportunity
At some point during the match, Rio Ferdinand will succumb to his bi-weekly moment of madness and gift Arsenal a wonderful scoring chance that will most likely end in a goal. The usually stable Englishman has been known to show cracks in the past, and in a huge match for United, it could all come undone - only once mind you - and it will still spell big trouble for the visitors. (Shane Evans, Goal.com USA)
3) Excuses, excuses...
It goes without saying that whichever manager ends on the losing side will open with the excuse of a European hangover. "What do you expect when we had a Champions league game in midweek and then play on Saturday lunchtime? It is as if the Premier League doesn't want us to be successful." Come on, you hear it too... (John Duerden, Goal.com Asia)
4) Cristiano Ronal-dove
Gael Clichy will eventually make the fatal mistake of touching Cristiano Ronaldo in or around the vicinity of the penalty area, which will result in the Portuguese bringing into action his deckchair-like collapsable legs. Sir Alex Ferguson, however, will lament the lack of a penalty award and claim his players are facing unfair treatment from Premier League referees, unlike those in Europe. He will also find a way to squeeze in a mention of Steven Gerrard's spectacular 94th-minute cannonball dive midweek at Anfield. (Torsten Pauly, Goal.com Germany)
5) Bleus to outnumber Brits
Ever since Arsene Wenger's arrival in London, Arsenal have become their own little French colony. Some even said, with tongue firmly in cheek, they had unfair home advantage in the 2006 Champions League final, which they lost to Barcelona in Paris. When considering new signings Samir Nasri and, coincidentally, former United man Mikael Silvestre, added to the likes of Clichy, William Gallas and Bakary Sagna - plus Patrice Evra lining up for United and injuries to the likes of Owen Hargreaves and Paul Scholes - there is a good chance France will be the best represented nation in England's capital tomorrow afternoon. (Alexandre Walraevens, Goal.com France)
6) Ronaldo to flop, Real rumours won't stop
Score in Champions League finals and multiple clashes against big four opposition last year as he may have done, some still believe C Ron to be a big game flop. Should he for any reason prove to be outfoxed at the Emirates and leave the field sporting his trademark tantrum face then it is likely only to be a matter of time before someone, somewhere decides this means he will soon restart his push to for his dream move to Real Madrid. Also, Manuel Almunia may or may not take to the field draped in an English flag, singing 'God Save The Queen'. (Juan Lirman, Goal.com Spain)
7) The Nutty Professor
If the Gunners lose, Arsene Wenger will repeat, for the billionth time: "You must remember that this is a young side with great quality, attitude, and team spirit. It's a long season and we can still win the league." There will be pleas for more time, so he can continue to make his young side even younger year after year and somehow make that an excuse for continued failure to bring home silverware. Also, if Arsenal are leading with 10 minutes remaining, Wenger will bring on secret weapons Alex Song and Emannuel Eboue as strikers, to increase the team's goal threat. (Atishay Agarwal, Goal.com India)
8) Edwin's redemption
With his very place in the side under threat, experienced shot-stopper Edwin van der Sar will, if given the chance, prove his worth to the Red Devils tomorrow and put in an excellent performance. However, with shades of Euro 2008 and the Netherlands' elimination against Russia, van der Sar's heroics won't prevent the Gunners emerging victorious and leaving Edwin empty-handed. (Andre Trompers, Goal.com Netherlands)
9) No shakes and the return of pizzagate
However, if United should emerge winners after an emphatic 4-0 thrashing in which the champions give Arsenal a footballing lesson, Arsene Wenger will embark down the tunnel without offering so much as a handshake to Sir Alex Ferguson, who yesterday celebrated the 22nd anniversary in charge of the club. Might their feud finally resurface with their common enemy now plying his trade in the Inter hotseat? Also, after hitting the back of the net, the Red Devils may just perform a special celebration as a dedication to their legendary manager's continued longevity at Old Trafford. (Sergio Stanco and Daniele Perticari, Goal.com Italy)
10) And for the grand finale...
In a devious plot to unsettle the Red Devils, Arsene Wenger will invite Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon as a guest for the game tomorrow and after several taunts during the course of the game, Fergie will snap and aim a kung-fu kick at the Spanish supremo, causing injuries so severe that he is forced to sell €80 million star Ronaldo as compensation to los Blancos. Meanwhile, Arsenal will win the day and leapfrog United in the table. (Michael Paterakis, Goal.com Greece)source: goal.com
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i lol-ed at number 10. trhats funny haha
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