Kevin Whitcher
It’s interesting to look back sometimes and see if we can learn anything from what has gone before. I will admit to a lack of optimism about this evening’s visit to Old Trafford, and admire the many thousands of those travelling to the match willing to risk what could be a very long journey on the way home in the event of a defeat to Manchester United.
There is no doubt that in the visits since the Gunners’ last victory there, in late 2006, Arsenal have rarely performed well. There is an argument that the law of averages gives the visitors a chance of success this time around, added to serious doubts about the quality of Louis Van Gaal’s side. Regards the latter, that they were able to beat the Gunners in North London this season counters that particular argument somewhat.
I read again my pieces after Arsenal’s two FA Cup visits during the poor sequence to refresh my memory, in 2008, when they were hammered 4-0, and 2011, when the defeat was only half that margin.
In 2008 there was no doubt that Arsene Wenger was only too delighted to exit the competition. He fielded a scratch team, with the following days bringing the first leg of a Champions League game against Milan, and the visit to St Andrews to play Birmingham City in the game that saw the Gunners’ best chance of a title since 2004 begin to unwind. Both of these matches were drawn, and although Arsenal did progress in Europe by winning in Milan, the damage done by the 4-0 defeat in the FA Cup could surely not have done any good for the team’s general confidence. What ultimately undid that season were three things. The inability to hold onto leads, the struggle to win games against poorer opposition, and injuries to key players. If Arsenal had gone on to win either the league or the European Cup, then the sacrifice of the FA Cup may have been viewed on in a different light. Now, it looks like a mistake. Wenger had also thrown the League Cup not long before, with a humiliating defeat of another scratch line-up at Tottenham in the semi-final second leg, the game in which Adebayor and Bendtner came to blows.
Fast forward three years and we see a different approach. It was United that rested more players, fielding a line-up with defenders making up three quarters of the midfield quartet. Arsenal played a much closer to full-strength team, but were simply not at the races defensively and United won comfortably enough. Arsenal did play much better in this game, but were simply less clinical in front of goal than Alex Ferguson’s team. It is intriguing to see that Johan Djourou was enjoying a purple patch at centre back and his injury in this game seen as a real blow to Arsenal’s prospects for the remainder of that season.
What has seemed to develop is a psychological barrier for Arsenal when it comes to playing at Old Trafford. The other notable aspect of these defeats is that where defensive errors occur, they are pounced upon. Perhaps the Gunners do not play any differently from normal, but simply that when those mistakes happen, United are a team that will exploit them.
With reality dictating that this is the only trophy Arsenal have any chance of winning in 2014-15, this viewer is hoping for a disciplined performance from a switched-on, motivated, full strength side. Not the usual dirge we have witnessed from Wenger’s teams since 2006. To begin the game from a standpoint of not losing it would be a good way to approach things. I doubt that Louis Van Gaal will be resting anyone. Arsenal have to return to United in the league for a game that might prove critical in determining which of them can take part in next season’s Champions League, and tonight’s result might condemn the visitors in that game long before the date of the fixture. And for the sake of the travelling fans, it must be hoped that the Gunners buck the trend and come away with a place in the semi-finals at the end of this evening’s proceedings.
If you want to relive some dubious memories, including why Eboue and Denilson should never have been indulged as Arsenal players, happy viewing… the 2008 game is here, whilst the 2011 version is here. To end on a positive note, let’s go back 45 years to a 4-0 Arsenal win over United I stumbled across while looking for the videos above on YouTube. What we’d give to have a few players with that kind of character and determination on the pitch tonight…
