Basically, no one's gonna back down.

[Lazie]

Alan Hansen

Arsenal meet Manchester United at The Emirates on Saturday - and after what the two sides produced last weekend it has all the elements of a truly classic encounter.

Arsene Wenger's side were outstanding at Liverpool while United's win against Middlesbrough made it four goals in four successive games for the champions.

So often big games disappoint, but Arsenal's game at Anfield was of the highest quality and everyone will be hoping the confrontation between the Premier League's top two will live up to the huge expectation.

There will be so many crucial areas but the crux will be this - how will Manchester United cope with Arsenal's brilliant passing game and how will Arsenal cope with Manchester United's brilliant counter-attacking game?

It is a game in which markers will be put down by the winner, if indeed there is a winner.

Arsenal would see victory as confirmation of their growing maturity and of their pedigree as potential title winners. United would see a win as assuming a position of superiority over Arsenal for the time being and also as a statement of intent about their desire to retain the Premier League.

It is not a title decider, but whoever wins will have the other contenders sitting up and taking notice.


There will be battles all over the pitch between players of the highest quality


On the evidence of Arsenal's brilliant display at Liverpool, holding their nerve and sticking firmly to their principles to earn a well-deserved draw, they look serious challengers.

I did have concerns about Arsenal's strength in depth, and the test may still come on that, but they look well-blessed in lots of department and in people like Mathieu Flamini, who looked like he might leave at one point, they have players with versatility.

Arsenal are not going to play well every week, but they have certainly shown they can battle to earn their points, as they did at Liverpool, and even to grind out wins, as they did when they won late on against Sunderland.

They will be put to the test on Saturday, because there will be battles all over the pitch.

In midfield, Cesc Fabregas will be confronted by Owen Hargreaves, while the partnership of Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez will have to try to outwit Kolo Toure and William Gallas.

Arsenal's free-flowing attacking style is guaranteed to bring goals, but they will come up against one of the unsung departments of Manchester United's team.

Wenger said his team "played without the handbrake on" at Anfield - and Ferguson rarely sends out a team that uses reverse gear either.

Much has been made of United's four goals in each of their last four games, but the platform for this improvement in goal return has been laid in defence, where Ferguson's side had a series of crucial 1-0 victories before the goals started to flow and Rooney and Tevez tuned into the same wavelength.

Tevez and Rooney are claiming the headlines and will be a big danger but, when they had a blip of sorts earlier in the season, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic were superb, along with keeper Edwin van der Sar.

Vidic even chipped in with the sort of crucial late winner at Everton that could be vital when the points are added up at the end of the campaign.

It will be interesting to see how they cope with Arsenal's wonderful passing game, but United will pose threats of their own.

United look very good at the moment, and have great strength in depth all over the park, but Arsenal will be in confident mood. Let's hope it follows on from that outstanding game at Anfield.

[Karl]

Nice!

Arsenal's attacking game...providing support for the man on the ball - three-four passing options - means they are always open to the counter.
Yet, they recover at great speed across the length of the pitch.

The series of intricate passing and high technical skills could cause ManU, a more forceful man for man TEAM (use of physical strength), to give up more than one penalty.

...in any case, I am expecting Arsenal will create at least 5 clear-cut good scoring chances - Will the 'GUNNERS babes' take them? Will it be beautiful...as per usual...fottball and an outscoring of ManU?

Draw up unnuh chairs!
Can't wait!

[Lazie]

Fabregas holds key to Emirates clash

Arsenal's meeting with Manchester United will not deliver defining proof of the destination of the title - but it might uncover some crucial clues.

Arsene Wenger's side passed a serious test of their credentials at Liverpool last Sunday, and now face an even sterner examination against Sir Alex Ferguson's champions.

Arsenal have rightly received huge acclaim for their style this season, a glorious unspoilt passing game that has taken them to the top of the Premier League.

But United, in Arsenal's shadow, have been exhilirating in their own fashion.

Ferguson's side has received fewer plaudits, perhaps because their record-breaking run of four goals in each of their last four games is less of a surprise than Arsenal looking even better for Thierry Henry's absence.

United have grown into the season as expected. Arsenal have grown up before our very eyes, which was not so expected.

BBC football pundit Alan Hansen told me he believes the result of the game will rest on many factors, but said two crucial questions could decide the outcome.

How will United cope with Arsenal's brilliant passing game? And how will Arsenal cope with United's brilliant counter-attacking game?

If the answers provide a game anywhere near the quality of Arsenal's 1-1 draw at Liverpool, we will witness a classic.

Arsenal, stripped of their talisman Henry, have been a revelation.

No-one must ever under-estimate Henry's brilliance, but Arsenal's young players have come out of the giant shadow cast by his presence.

The shackles are off, as seen in Emmanuel Adebayor and the currently injured Robin van Persie, and they have illuminated the Premier League.

Cesc Fabregas has taken on Henry's mantle as the heartbeat of Wenger's side, and it will be intriguing to see how United attempt to subdue his talent.

Liverpool tried their best, courtesy of the excellent Javier Mascherano, but the young Spaniard was more than equal to the task, producing a world-class display and Arsenal's equaliser.

If United succeed, their chances of victory will increase, and it is a fair bet that Owen Hargreaves - if fit - will pay Fabregas close attention.

Alexander Hleb is another Wenger import who is now blossoming, and will Wenger employ Theo Walcott's pace against Manchester United's rearguard?

Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand have been crucial, but this will be their toughest test this season.

For Arsenal, their main priority will be dealing with the flourishing partnership of Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney.

All questions about whether they can play together have been answered in emphatic fashion.

Take their link for United's third goal against Middlesbrough. It was telepathy - a meeting of brilliant football minds.

Arsenal have an outstanding defensive duo in Kolo Toure and William Gallas, a match for anyone in the Premiership.

But United have another wild card in Cristiano Ronaldo and it says much for Tevez and Rooney's impact that he has had a lower profile this season.

There will be world-class match-ups and individual battles all over the park.

And then we come to the dug-out.

Wenger and Ferguson are two of football's elder statesmen, but still possess a burning desire to re-build a succession of teams in the style that has served them well in glittering careers.

They may have personal differences, but they both share an attacking footballing philosophy and a belief that the game must be a form of entertainment for the paying public.

I believe the big factor will be the success United have, or do not have, in containing Fabregas.

If they do, then you would not back against their greater experience winning the day.

But plenty, including myself, have questioned Arsenal and Arsene Wenger in the past - and have been left looking foolish.

And Arsenal are playing with such freedom and confidence that even United's intimidating presence may not shake them out of their stride.

In other words, it is too close to call, but we will know more about the true merits of Arsenal and Manchester United by mid-afternoon on Saturday.

[Karl]

Arsenal's meeting with Manchester United will not deliver defining proof of the destination of the title - but it might uncover some crucial clues.

Arsene Wenger's side passed a serious test of their credentials at Liverpool last Sunday, and now face an even sterner examination against Sir Alex Ferguson's champions.

Arsenal have rightly received huge acclaim for their style this season, a glorious unspoilt passing game that has taken them to the top of the Premier League.

But United, in Arsenal's shadow, have been exhilirating in their own fashion.

Ferguson's side has received fewer plaudits, perhaps because their record-breaking run of four goals in each of their last four games is less of a surprise than Arsenal looking even better for Thierry Henry's absence.

United have grown into the season as expected. Arsenal have grown up before our very eyes, which was not so expected.

BBC football pundit Alan Hansen told me he believes the result of the game will rest on many factors, but said two crucial questions could decide the outcome.

How will United cope with Arsenal's brilliant passing game? And how will Arsenal cope with United's brilliant counter-attacking game?

If the answers provide a game anywhere near the quality of Arsenal's 1-1 draw at Liverpool, we will witness a classic.

Arsenal, stripped of their talisman Henry, have been a revelation.

No-one must ever under-estimate Henry's brilliance, but Arsenal's young players have come out of the giant shadow cast by his presence.

The shackles are off, as seen in Emmanuel Adebayor and the currently injured Robin van Persie, and they have illuminated the Premier League.

Cesc Fabregas has taken on Henry's mantle as the heartbeat of Wenger's side, and it will be intriguing to see how United attempt to subdue his talent.

Liverpool tried their best, courtesy of the excellent Javier Mascherano, but the young Spaniard was more than equal to the task, producing a world-class display and Arsenal's equaliser.

If United succeed, their chances of victory will increase, and it is a fair bet that Owen Hargreaves - if fit - will pay Fabregas close attention.

Alexander Hleb is another Wenger import who is now blossoming, and will Wenger employ Theo Walcott's pace against Manchester United's rearguard?

Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand have been crucial, but this will be their toughest test this season.

For Arsenal, their main priority will be dealing with the flourishing partnership of Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney.

All questions about whether they can play together have been answered in emphatic fashion.

Take their link for United's third goal against Middlesbrough. It was telepathy - a meeting of brilliant football minds.

Arsenal have an outstanding defensive duo in Kolo Toure and William Gallas, a match for anyone in the Premiership.

But United have another wild card in Cristiano Ronaldo and it says much for Tevez and Rooney's impact that he has had a lower profile this season.

There will be world-class match-ups and individual battles all over the park.

And then we come to the dug-out.

Wenger and Ferguson are two of football's elder statesmen, but still possess a burning desire to re-build a succession of teams in the style that has served them well in glittering careers.

They may have personal differences, but they both share an attacking footballing philosophy and a belief that the game must be a form of entertainment for the paying public.

I believe the big factor will be the success United have, or do not have, in containing Fabregas.

If they do, then you would not back against their greater experience winning the day.

But plenty, including myself, have questioned Arsenal and Arsene Wenger in the past - and have been left looking foolish.

And Arsenal are playing with such freedom and confidence that even United's intimidating presence may not shake them out of their stride.

In other words, it is too close to call, but we will know more about the true merits of Arsenal and Manchester United by mid-afternoon on Saturday.

Fabregas is great!
Yes he is!
...but, his glitter fools many into thinking he is the only one on the TEAM with the killer pass. I will name those who played against Liverpool who cannot make...have not shown ability to made killer passes - .

Did you see the list?