Every Little Counts – Manchester United (A) Preview

As Arsene celebrates the 4,595th day of his reign at the club, it is marked by one of the biggest games in the history of The Arsenal Football Club, a statement of the magnitude of tonight’s encounter when you consider all that has gone before since the days of Dial Square.

A Champions League semi-final would be pretty high on his list of ways in which to celebrate such an occasion were he to choose to do so. The only celebrating that I suspect he would like to do tonight would be those associated with a resounding victory. Whether he gets that pleasure will be revealed in just about twelve hours time. Hopefully he will.

The injury ‘worries’ that arose from Sunday’s clash with Middlesbrough have pretty much resolved themselves favourably with Cesc and Johan Djourou apparently recovering from their various knacks. It leaves Wenger with options in midfield and a relatively strong back four. No confirmation as of yet as to whether Mikael Silvestre will get the opportunity to perform once more at Old Trafford but on the face of it, to me at least, Djourou should be picked ahead of him.

When he filled in earlier in the season, Djourou was a bright spot in an otherwise dimmed light in the central back four positions. That is not to say he was perfect, mistakes were punished, notably by Robbie Keane in December. The other aspect that Wenger has to take into consideration is that Silvestre will be highly motivated this evening if selected. Even so, that should not be a barrier to the Swiss international partnering Kolo Toure.

The midfield is another area of choices for Wenger. With Gibbs likely to remain as left back – I see no advantage in putting Silvestre there, what is gained through experience is lost through pace – there is a strong case for leaving Nasri in the central position where he has been extremely effective. This leaves the left hand side open for selection. Personally, I would put Diaby there. He has played in the position before and may neuter the impact of Ronaldo through ‘double-teaming’ with Gibbs. Given Alex Song is likely to return to the line-up it would mean Denilson dropping out. It is harsh on the Brazilian but in that position, I feel Song is more suited to the battle.

Given Cesc seems to be marked out as adopting a more forward position supporting Adebayor, Arsene has to choose whether Walcott is in the side or whether a more defensive option is taken. If Nasri plays centrally, Walcott has to provide natural width on the right to compensate for a narrower left hand side. Should Wenger go to with Nasri on the left, Denilson would be my choice for the second central berth and it would be no surprise to see Eboue come in on the right to provide a bit more ‘steel’, Walcott becoming an impact sub for the evening.

My line-up for the trip would not be dissimilar in formation to the one that played at Anfield:

Almunia; Sagna, Toure, Djourou, Gibbs; Walcott, Denilson, Fabregas, Song, Nasri; Adebayor

Cesc observed the importance of the night:

To be in the Champions League final twice in four years could be one of the best things in the history of the club and we’re determined to make it happen

It is a night where the defence will need to hold firm. I expect the match to be less intense than the Premier League and domestic cup clashes might be, the realisation that there is a second bite at the cherry at The Emirates tempering the natural attacking instincts of both sides. United proved vulnerable to Porto in the last round at home when the Portuguese movement caused them problems. Arsenal likewise were slow out of the blocks and trailed from early on. Neither side will want a repeat of that.

For Adebayor, he can stop slapping around with Beyonce and focus on scoring. Vidic and Ferdinand are probably the best centre half pairing in the Premier League but not impregnable. If decent service can be provided to the Togolese striker, he has the ability to finish; he needs his shooting boots on from kick-off though as chances may not be as plentiful as he might expect in a domestic clash.

You might gather from that I am not expecting the classic that the media hype suggests. And frankly, neither am I bothered by whether it is as dire as last night. All that matters is qualification for the final, a hammering is no different from a tie settled by a goal deflected in off the referee’s arse.

It will be a match where the players will have to work their socks off to get a result. They have proven before that they can do so, tonight they must prove it again. Bon Chance, Mes Amis. ¡Buenas Suertes!

Enjoy the match wherever you are watching it. ’til Tomorrow.

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