Before the match we did our best to pick out five key match-ups that would define today's Manchester United-Arsenal match. At halftime, when we examined how they were playing out, we saw managerial choices had rendered a couple match-ups moot. Still, as we review how the battles within the battle played-out, we can see why Manchester United controlled their 1-0 win over Arsenal.
Manchester United Vs. Arsenal: Who Won The Five Key Match-Ups?
Samir Nasri vs. Darren Fletcher - This morning I opined that Fletcher is the ideal midfielder to match-up with Arsenal's Cesc Fàbregas role, a role I thought Samir Nasri would inherit on Monday. That didn't happen. Nasri was deployed wide right with Tomas Rosicky staying in the middle, and although there were points where Nasri drifted inside, Arsenal's alignment not only left us without our featured battle but also kept Nasri from influencing the match.
With Arsenal failing to meaningfully test van der Sar for most of the match - with their best chance coming when Nasri had come inside - we’re left to ask why. Why would Arsenal isolate Nasri on the right, especially since United are themselves a right-leaning team? When United built their attacks through Nani, Nasri’s right flank position put him as far from the play as possible.
To answer my own question, Nasri went out right because it’s not uncommon for him to do so. Arsenal often has Nasri wide, though with the young attacker’s recent success in the middle (and Cesc Fàbregas still not fully fit), I assumed that Nasri’s time on the flanks would be limited against United. Wrong. Advantage: United.
Nani vs. Gaël Clichy - Nani exploited Clichy to create the Park Ji-Sung’s goal and eventually drew a penalty from the left back. To be fair to Clichy, he won nine tackles (out of 13 attempted) and was credited with a block (presumably on the ball that led to Park’s goal, based on the positioning). But it’s the harsh nature of a defender’s life that you need to be near-perfect throughout a match. While Clichy had his moments, Nani still beat him to create the match’s goal. Advantage: United.
Andrei Arshavin vs. Rafael da Silva - This is a match-up we would normally expect Arshavin to exploit. The fact that he didn't will lead some to judge him harshly. Independent of our pre-match expectations, Arshavin had a decent match. Of Arsenal's 144 incomplete passes, Arshavin was responsible for only eight (while completing 35 passes) and was credited with one of the team's four shots on target. He created two turnovers deep in United's end, but being substituted out in the 77th minute, his performance will likely be forgotten. Neither dominated by Rafael nor aggressive enough to exploit him, Arshavin was a non-factor on Monday. Advantage: None.
Marouane Chamakh vs. Rio Ferdinand/Nemanja Vidic - Chamakh won only five of 13 aerial challenges, and although not all of those challenges were against Ferdinand and Vidic, United's central pairing did a good job of limiting the striker's influence. Though Chamakh had one of Arsenal's best scoring chances, a 56th minute shot blocked by Vidic, he was otherwise kept quiet. Chamakh only completed five passes in Arsenal's final third, only one of which moved Arsenal toward goal. Advantage: United.
Dimitar Berbatov vs. Sebastien Squillaci/Laurent Koscielny - OK, I almost whiffed on this, though I did note in our preview that Alex Ferguson tends to go 4-5-1 against Arsenal. Ultimately, I decided the school of thought purporting Berbatov's inclusion was more likely. I was wrong, and as usual, Ferguson was right. Choosing Anderson over Berbatov would have been hailed a master stroke had the young Brazilian finished his 54th minute chance and given United their insurance goal. Still, Anderson's pressure was important in dictating the tone early, keeping Arsenal from coming into the match until well into the first half. Advantage: None.
See More:
