Manchester United v Arsenal..Just Another Fixture

When the team list was being announced at old Trafford,there was a massive roar when the number 20 was called. The United fans chanting oh Robin Van Persie,oh Robin Van Persie,so loudly that the players name on the list after him could not be heard.It is hard to believe that this is the same man that was insulted and cursed by these same fans less than a year ago.You could say,he has been welcomed and accepted by the United fans or you could also say the roars were to remind the arsenal fans that Podolski,and Olivier Giroud probably can't even lace his boots.Before the players walked out on the pitch,Van Persie was being friendly,hellos all around as he greeted former team mates but as we all know the friendship always ends as the whistle blows..
 

It was a good game of football especially as nothing other than football is being discussed(post match),the referee had a good game,no racism just 90 minutes of spectacular play.On my way up to Manchester with the lads..there was a particular discussion that went on,and it wasn't about the pretty girl sitting in the other coach but rather how over the years Sir Alex and Wenger have  become friends(kinda).With all the possible reasons that may have created this friendship,the major reason is simple...There simply is no competition between both clubs anymore,Wengers Arsenal no longer goes for the title but only contributes to the league play.The satisfaction of a top four finish,champions league and a good profit margin yearly seems to be the platform of success at the Arsenal . So it is safe to say that the fixture of Manchester United v Arsenal is no longer a rivalry..just another match in the Epl.
 
From the kickoff,United dominated play and went 1-0 up when the ball was put in the 18 yard box,Vermalean failed to clear it and his mistake set the ball for Robin Van persie who made no mistake putting it in the left hand corner with his right foot...he scored in front of the travelling Arsenal supporters. He respectfully did not celebrate the goal even if it would have been good to see him do an Adebayor ...maybe at the emirates...
 

Arsenal in their usual way,held the ball and maintained possession but nothing was created.Jack Wilshere and Santi Carzola are wonderful players but haven't been able to blend wonderfully.I know it only their 2nd game together but there is no understanding for who is meant to command the midfield and so far since Jack's return,Carzola  seems to have calmed down but time will tell...Arsenal had no shot on target and their major highlight was a reckless challenge on Cleverly by Wilshere. United continued to dominate and got 2 saves from Mannone ,shot from Wayne  Rooney and Van Persie. United would have been 2-0 before half time but a missed penalty from Wayne Rooney left it at 1-0. Carzola handled the ball stopping a cross from Ashley  Young.

The second half started brightly and United continued with their dominance.Van Persie continued to probe the Arsenal defence and only failed to double his lead after another fine save from Mannone. From the resulting corner,United  doubled their lead after a Wayne  Rooney cross found Patrice Evra,making it 2 goals in the league for the defender. A better tally than his french team mate,Mr Giroud. The  united fans were singing cheerio cheerio cheerio to Wilshere after he was sent off following a harsh tackle on Patrice Evra. Now Arsenal down to ten men,United dominating,game over. Arsenal did score with a fine shot from Santi Carzola,his shot was the last kick of the game.

 
It was a better result for Arsenal seeing as they were beaten 8-2 last season but 15 points from 10 games,the worst start to a season Under Wenger and no positives can be taken from this weekend. The Arsenal Man United games have lost its spark,maybe because there's no Keane or Viera ,maybe because there's no Ashley Cole and Ronaldo,maybe because Keown  stopped bullying Van Nistelroy or probably because Wenger just failed to build on his previous success that made Arsenal a top team in England. Tactics maybe questionable, why Ramsey is on the right with Walcott on the bench,why Mertesacker  and no Kocielny. left Wilshere on the pitch knowing he was one tackle from a red card but I believe he knows what he's doing. He's  been doing it for over 15 years.Besides this was a weekend that  there was no victory for any of the London clubs.. But United players and fans don't mind that over the years they have had the upper hand,United have won 9 of their last 11 matches against Arsenal,lost 1 and drawn 1 in all competitions and even  took their best player from them(Arsenal)..I wonder if the small boy in him was screaming on Saturday.The United fans were definitely singing.."oh Robin Van Persie,Oh Robin Van Persie" 

In more words to come..Sabi Boi