Saturday 30 April 2011

Manchester United (H)

What a complete disaster last week was. We go a goal down, Nasri misses a sitter to give us the lead, Fabregas looked like he was fed up. Not a lot more could have gone wrong last week. I would like to say I did feel for the 5000 Arsenal supporters who travelled to Bolton and did well to get behind us. Once again the fault of their 2 goals lie with our shit defending. Song and Djourou were lost with ease and again from set pieces and until we learn how to defend set pieces we aren't gonna win a thing.



So Man U, the old rivalry. When I think back to this tie only 6 or 7 years ago it was a close one to call but in recent years we've fallen behind them and always seem to go into the game as underdogs. Its no different tomorrow. We need to re-think how we defend otherwise Hernandez will be through on goal more times than he was mid-week. The worrying thing is that when I look at the squad United are putting out I can't see anywhere on the pitch where we can get through. Maybe Fabio on the left but I think the best chance we have is to hit them when they're out of position which will be a difficult task.

I don't think there will be any changes to the team that started against Bolton but hopefully there will be a change in mentality. Finishing second will now be our top priority and with Chelsea now sitting above us 3 points here wouldnt go adrift, as they have difficult fixtures against Spurs and then United this weekend and next. But going back to the squad, Nasri and Fabregas have seemed well off form recently which doesn't help. For the first time looking at Fabregas last week I thought he will be on his way after this season, which hasn't been helped by a troubled week for him pesonally.



This is the last big game we have this season and a win would be lovely. Sending 60,000 Arsenal fans home happy would be a good thing after a dismal run in recent weeks but I can't see it happening by quite a long way I'm afraid.

Prediction: Arsenal 1-3 Manchester United