Man United Vs Arsenal Tactical Preview

Manchester United’s game against Arsenal on Monday the 13th of December promises to be an exciting tactical battle with two of the most experienced managers of the premier league at helm.

In this post we look at Arsenal and the possible formation they can line up with on the 13th.Of course all this depends on whether Fabregas is fit for the game or not.

This season Arsenal have generally lined up with a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Arsenal’s in form player this season is obviously Samir Nasri.The Frenchman has eclipsed Fabregas with his scintillating displays this season.His two goals against Fulham showacased his brilliance and what he can do with a ball at his small feet.The problem for Wenger is that if Fabregas is deemed fit to play against United then Nasri wont have much of the ball as he would like to have,this problem becomes clear against Tottenham in the second half

The following pictures show the line ups in the first and second halves

The real tactical action here happened at half-time. Redknapp could have taken a few players off, but he made an astute substitution, removing Aaron Lennon and introducing Jermain Defoe as a second striker, with Rafael van der Vaart moving to the right.

The Dutchman is not famed for his defensive work or positioning (although he did put himself about today, conceding four free-kicks), and so Redknapp knew he would be weaker defensively down that side of the pitch in the second half. He was wise to ‘concede’ his right-hand side, rather than the left-hand side that Arsenal had often threatened down.

Spurs narrow

The key to Spurs’ revival was not necessarily the change of formation, but the change of positioning of the side as a whole. Spurs were much narrower, with van der Vaart inevitably drifting into the middle and Bale doing the same from the other side

-Zonal Marking

Problems For Wenger

1.Centerbacks-with both Kosceilny and Vermaelen not available for this fixture,Djourou and Squillaci will be expected to start.Even though both of them are not bad defenders,whether they can perform at the top level remains to be seen with Rooney beginning to look like last season’s Player of the year,this is going to be a tough test for both of them

2.No Width-Unless Wenger suprises us and starts with Walcott,Arsenal play quite narrow if the full backs are stopped going forward.Both Nasri and Arshavin have a tendency to come inside rather going on the outside and pulling crosses back in.

3.Tendency to attack down the right-Arsenal usually build up play from the right hand side with Fabregas,Song,Nasri and Sagna
http://www.guardianchalkboards.com/guardianchalkboards_embed.swf?chalkBoardID=LtnZiX2fQWkMSr66T65v
by Guardian Chalkboards

But their counter attacks usually are down the left with Clichy bombarding down the left.The problem against United is that,United have got a very strong defensive left side and a pacy right side.This comfortably  counters Arsenal’s threats down both the sides

Park and Evra both are very good defensively especially Park  with his endless energy keeps running for 90 minutes.Nani’s good form this season should peg back Clichy and Rafael this season looks like he is matured and ironed out his defensive mistakes

Having said all this,Arsenal have a very creative bunch of players who can create chance from thin air,but whether they can do it in the big games and can they defend resolutely remains to be seen.