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What Fergie Learned From The Liverpool–Arsenal Draw
Published in October 29th, 2007
Posted by Ispy in ISpy
ISpy
Sir Alex had left Anfield by the time Cesc Fabregas ran toward the Liverpool goal, slipped past the last defender and slotted home an equalising goal.
The manager had no doubt seen enough and would not have been surprised by the result. Liverpool were run ragged by Arsenal all afternoon and it would have been a travesty of a result if the Gunners had lost.
United face Arsenal next week in the most eagerly awaited match of the season so far. Here, Ispy imagines what the manager’s notes from the game might contain.
Stop Hleb. Stop Fabregas
Arsenal have some excellent players but in a fierce Merseyside encounter, it was Hleb and Fabregas who stood out above their peers. Both players have made massive strides this season. Fabregas is now close to being the division’s outstanding midfielder. His goals now complement a comprehensive talent. He can shoot. He can tackle and he can see and make a killer pass.
United cannot allow the Spaniard to get within shooting range of Edwin van der Sar’s goal, nor can they allow him to go about his midfield duties unmolested. Owen Hargreaves, as diligent as they come, must be instructed to harry and chase Fabregas so as to throw him off his game.
Hleb is another Gooner coming into his own right now. He is a defender’s nightmare, with a roaming brief that allows him to pop up in dangerous positions. His tendency to over elaborate remains and he still doesn’t score enough goals but as a midfield schemer and provider, Hleb is a very dangerous proposition for the United defence. His pass to Fabregas for the equalising goal was sumptuous.
Practice Dead Ball Situations
This is more Bolton’s style than United’s but the chaos Liverpool wrought with almost every corner and free kick augurs well for United. Touré, the marauding centre half with the midfielder’s inclination and the sturdy Gallas may have snuffed out the majority of Liverpool’s chances but they are not the tallest of defenders. Vidic and Rio must be relishing the battle to come.
Lock Down The Left Flank
Arsenal’s Gael Clichy is another fast improving Gunner and the manner in which he combined with Rosicky at Anfield was the source of much of Arsenal’s best work and Liverpool’s discomfort. Rafa Benitez’s lack of a competent wide man allowed Clichy far too much space and time to get forward. United must not make the same mistake. Giggs or Ronaldo must be instructed to hug the touch line, force the Arsenal defence to sit a little deeper and discourage Clichy from his regular sorties upfield.
Exploit The Right Flank
In contrast to the power and flair of Arsenal’s left, the right flank holds few terrors. Eboué hit a post but the game will be remembered less for this ill fortune than for the theatrics which are fast becoming his signature. Eboué’s place at right half is surely designed to stiffen Arsenal’s midfield but apart from a willingness to get forward and an ability to get in some good crosses, Eboué lacks the craft of a genuine winger.
New right back Bacary Sagna might have settled in quickly but he looked as dreadful as his hair style against Sunderland earlier this month and against Liverpool, his performance was anaemic compared to Clichy’s full blooded appetite for the fray. Again, Ronaldo with chalk on his boots, should give Sagna far more to think about and open up space for Anderson and Tevez to exploit.
Hope Adebayor has an off-day
The striker is maddening. On his day, he can be dynamite. Rio Ferdinand rated him above Drogba, Berbatov et al as his most difficult opponent last season. He spins off the defender, has a good touch for a big man and is as much a creator as a scorer of goals.
That is when he is performing at the height of his powers. Anything less and Adebayor looks raw, in need of much greater fine tuning. He still misses too many chances for a front man of the highest quality.
With Robin van Persie not expected to play and Eduardo apparently not yet trusted, much rests on Adebayor. United will hope he does not rise to the occasion.
General notes
United should play ugly. Swift, hard but fair tackling and a willingness to fight for every ball are minimum requirements for success. So too, is an ability to keep the ball and not give away possession cheaply. Wes Brown take note! It is hard to admit it but Arsenal are the pass masters of English football and will cut United to ribbons if Fergie’s team sit back and invite Arsenal to attack.
That said, the Gooner surrender monkeys of yester-year are no more. The grit Arsenal showed in sticking to their principles and attacking Liverpool relentlessly showed that these Gunners are not lacking in fight.
Arsene Wenger said the Liverpool match was the last question mark against his side. He was being churlish of course. United are the bench mark and need to assert their authority. United have the individual class and the goal potential to sweep all before them. They must make their extra class tell on Saturday.
Published in October 29th, 2007
Posted by Ispy in ISpy
ISpy
Sir Alex had left Anfield by the time Cesc Fabregas ran toward the Liverpool goal, slipped past the last defender and slotted home an equalising goal.
The manager had no doubt seen enough and would not have been surprised by the result. Liverpool were run ragged by Arsenal all afternoon and it would have been a travesty of a result if the Gunners had lost.
United face Arsenal next week in the most eagerly awaited match of the season so far. Here, Ispy imagines what the manager’s notes from the game might contain.
Stop Hleb. Stop Fabregas
Arsenal have some excellent players but in a fierce Merseyside encounter, it was Hleb and Fabregas who stood out above their peers. Both players have made massive strides this season. Fabregas is now close to being the division’s outstanding midfielder. His goals now complement a comprehensive talent. He can shoot. He can tackle and he can see and make a killer pass.
United cannot allow the Spaniard to get within shooting range of Edwin van der Sar’s goal, nor can they allow him to go about his midfield duties unmolested. Owen Hargreaves, as diligent as they come, must be instructed to harry and chase Fabregas so as to throw him off his game.
Hleb is another Gooner coming into his own right now. He is a defender’s nightmare, with a roaming brief that allows him to pop up in dangerous positions. His tendency to over elaborate remains and he still doesn’t score enough goals but as a midfield schemer and provider, Hleb is a very dangerous proposition for the United defence. His pass to Fabregas for the equalising goal was sumptuous.
Practice Dead Ball Situations
This is more Bolton’s style than United’s but the chaos Liverpool wrought with almost every corner and free kick augurs well for United. Touré, the marauding centre half with the midfielder’s inclination and the sturdy Gallas may have snuffed out the majority of Liverpool’s chances but they are not the tallest of defenders. Vidic and Rio must be relishing the battle to come.
Lock Down The Left Flank
Arsenal’s Gael Clichy is another fast improving Gunner and the manner in which he combined with Rosicky at Anfield was the source of much of Arsenal’s best work and Liverpool’s discomfort. Rafa Benitez’s lack of a competent wide man allowed Clichy far too much space and time to get forward. United must not make the same mistake. Giggs or Ronaldo must be instructed to hug the touch line, force the Arsenal defence to sit a little deeper and discourage Clichy from his regular sorties upfield.
Exploit The Right Flank
In contrast to the power and flair of Arsenal’s left, the right flank holds few terrors. Eboué hit a post but the game will be remembered less for this ill fortune than for the theatrics which are fast becoming his signature. Eboué’s place at right half is surely designed to stiffen Arsenal’s midfield but apart from a willingness to get forward and an ability to get in some good crosses, Eboué lacks the craft of a genuine winger.
New right back Bacary Sagna might have settled in quickly but he looked as dreadful as his hair style against Sunderland earlier this month and against Liverpool, his performance was anaemic compared to Clichy’s full blooded appetite for the fray. Again, Ronaldo with chalk on his boots, should give Sagna far more to think about and open up space for Anderson and Tevez to exploit.
Hope Adebayor has an off-day
The striker is maddening. On his day, he can be dynamite. Rio Ferdinand rated him above Drogba, Berbatov et al as his most difficult opponent last season. He spins off the defender, has a good touch for a big man and is as much a creator as a scorer of goals.
That is when he is performing at the height of his powers. Anything less and Adebayor looks raw, in need of much greater fine tuning. He still misses too many chances for a front man of the highest quality.
With Robin van Persie not expected to play and Eduardo apparently not yet trusted, much rests on Adebayor. United will hope he does not rise to the occasion.
General notes
United should play ugly. Swift, hard but fair tackling and a willingness to fight for every ball are minimum requirements for success. So too, is an ability to keep the ball and not give away possession cheaply. Wes Brown take note! It is hard to admit it but Arsenal are the pass masters of English football and will cut United to ribbons if Fergie’s team sit back and invite Arsenal to attack.
That said, the Gooner surrender monkeys of yester-year are no more. The grit Arsenal showed in sticking to their principles and attacking Liverpool relentlessly showed that these Gunners are not lacking in fight.
Arsene Wenger said the Liverpool match was the last question mark against his side. He was being churlish of course. United are the bench mark and need to assert their authority. United have the individual class and the goal potential to sweep all before them. They must make their extra class tell on Saturday.
Paul Marin -19 is one thing, 20 is a whole other matter. It gets even worse if they win the UCL. *groan*. 
05/18/2011.MU fans naah cough, but all a unuh a vomit?-Lazie 1/11/2015
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