The Technical Area – A Great Week for United

Arsenal fans are more than used to bearing witness to a display of clinical attacking football at the Emirates, but yesterday it was the opposition rather than Cesc and co. who put on the impressive performance, as United followed up their midweek Carling Cup defeat of Man City in emphatic style.

Despite Arsene Wenger claiming in his program notes that his team were “grown up and ready for the challenge”, it was a case of déjà vu yesterday, as United brushed aside their opponents with an ease that mirrored last season’s Champions League semi final. Here’s a few pointers as to how it played out…

Nani The Key

Since his arrival at Old Trafford in 2007, the winger has always flattered to deceive, displaying an inconsistency that had many questioning Fergie’s decision to splash out between £14-17m on the player. Yesterday, however, as the player himself admitted, was his best performance in a United shirt, as the visitors made Gael Clichy’s day one to forget.

With his speed and flashes of outstanding skill, Nani was integral to United’s attacking menace, and throughout the game was a constant thorn in the Gunners side. As this chalkboard shows, however, his workrate was just as impressive. Nani may have misplaced a pass on occasion, but his determination to win the ball for his team proved vital. He made 15 tackles, far and away the most by any player on the pitch. At just £6.4m in FPL, Nani is great value for money, but whether Fergie continue to give him as much game time is another matter entirely.

United Squeeze In

When Almunia palmed a Nani cross into his own net, the game played into United’s hands. Arsenal poured forward, leaving gaps at the back, and Scholes, Carrick and Fletcher sat back more, spraying passes to the front three on the counter, whilst giving their defence more protection.

The United defence stayed narrow and compact, leaving no gaps, meaning Arsenal were unable to stretch them or get in behind the back four. As this chalkboard illustrates, the Gunners had so much possession in the middle third of the pitch, but with the United defence well-drilled and resolute, Arsenal were resultantly forced to sling balls into the box from out wide, but with no physical presence up front, the crosses were futile, and easily dealt with.

Blunted Gunners

Arsenal have done well to maintain their title challenge in spite of missing a true centre forward since Robin Van Persie’s injury, but yesterday, up against top class opposition, Wenger received a brutal reminder of what his team is lacking.

As this chalkboard shows, Arsenal didn’t have a single shot on target until the 56th minute, where they had already been 3-0 down for a few minutes. Once United had went three up, it was Fabregas, Vermaelen and even Song who were the main threats to Van der Saar’s goal, with Andrei Arshavin only having one attempt after that point…

Arshavin v Rooney

Andrei Arshavin’s performance as a lone striker, when compared with Wayne Rooney’s, highlights Arsenal’s problem.

This passing chalkboard comparison of the two, illustrates perfectly how Rooney is better suited to the lone striker role; he saw much more of the ball in more areas of the pitch, linking the play and getting into dangerous areas way more often than Arshavin. The goal attempt chalkboard shows although both had the same amount of tries, Arshavin failed to work the keeper even once.

With the transfer window slamming closed at 5pm this evening, it seems Arsenal will not be adding to their squad. Nicklas Bendtner – given another brief cameo yesterday- is nearing full match fitness and will be essential to their plans over the next couple of months. The big Dane offers more of the physical presence needed for the central role, and if he stays fit, could be an interesting FPL investment at a mere £5.9m.

However, if Chelsea win at Hull this midweek, Carlo Ancelotti’s team will be eight points ahead of the Gunners, meaning another Arsenal slip up will be fatal to their title chances. All eyes on Stamford Bridge next Sunday, then, when Wenger takes him team across London for a match they simply cannot afford to lose.