Roy Keane used to savor this sort of occasion when he wore the famous red shirt of Manchester United. For him, the greatest opponents were the Arsenal. His duels with Patrick Vieira added spice to he rivalry. It is not as keenly contested as it used to be, but it is the one of the most anticipated clashes in Football.
On Monday night, Arsenal will look to end a horrendous sequence of results against the red devils when they visit the Theatre of Dreams, They will however, as always, be wary of Wayne Rooney. The NO 10 has scored a bucket load of goals against the gunners and he was at it again earlier in the season when both sides met at the Emirates. History has him in good stead to add to his tally but you never know. Arsene Wenger's men are in a good run of form, albeit domestically. Alexis Sanchez was back among the goals last week at Loftus Road and Mesut Ozil has been imperious since his return from injury. But the French managerial legend will know that form goes out of the window when it is Manchester United on the other side of the pitch. Something extraordinary has to happen.
United did just enough to remain in the top four last time out. An Ashley Young finish in the final minute was the difference between the sides but Jonny Evans had to spit on Papiss Cisse to ensure he sits out the next six games through suspension. The Senegalese also got his own dose as a result of retaliation. Both stupid misdemeanours that has left their respective teams depleted. Carver will be embittered to no end. The level of performance has to improve tremendously for Arsenal to be concerned but trusting United, the ante will be upped. The FA Cup trophy has eluded them since 2004 and they last made a final eight years ago. Besides, there's an axe to grind with the gooners after 'that painful' loss a decade ago. Judging by past meetings, United should sail through but this season has been one of uncertainties and on paper, the tide may turn in Arsenal's favour.
Both teams lack the leaders of past times. Players like the aforementioned Keane and Vieira, Emmanuel Petit, Paul Scholes, Rio Ferdinand, Gary Neville, Tony Adams etc have called it a day leaving the likes of Blind, Ramsey, the OX, Herrera, Bellerin and Shaw to slug it out. According to the Roy, that period when the rivalry was feisty is gone. Situations like the 'pizza gate' and that 'tunnel fight' may never be re-enacted again. The burning ambition to fight with all you have has been taken away by the retired goons but there is still a fight that exists in this new generation players and that we will witness when the old bulls lock horns.
For the red army, the likely eleven soldiers who will be sent to the battle field by General LVG are-
DDG, TonyV, Smalling, Rojo, Shaw, Blind, Herrera, ADM, Mata, Young, Wazza
Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao have been disappointing all round, World class footballers who haven't exactly hit it at United. The former was awesome when he first arrived but has gone cold since he returned from injury. The abysmal displays lately are inexplicable. Falcao, nicknamed the Tiger, has been no more than a mouse since he arrived. The ACL damage suffered last year took its toll on the Colombian marksman. Only 4 goals to show for his efforts thus far. Hardly a beautiful picture. I have this feeling that Michael Carrick may be brought into the team because of his experience and class. Fingers crossed!
Arsene will definitely recall Wojciech....others are Hector Bellerin, Kos, Per, Gibbs, the OX, Cazorla, Ozil, Alexis, Welbeck, Groud.
Danny Welbeck returns to his old stomping ground on Monday. The England striker was deemed surplus to requirements by LVG but has improved since he was taken under Wenger's wings. Some spirited displays customary of him have yielded the right results but he has done nothing to suggest that he is the long term solution Arsenal need in attack. Jumping and hopping like a frog hardly gets you 30 goals in a season. Messi and Ronaldo have 30 league goals this season already and we are still in March. Danny has a dream to become as potent as both of them but the journey is still very far.
This is the best chance of a title for both teams and defending champions Arsenal will want to get one over the hosts in a bid to go ahead in the hierarchy of all time FA Cup wins. They are currently tied on 11 apiece in first place.
The magic of the FA Cup is set to serve us another treat
OHIREIME P EBOREIME
@lordbaruda1987
