Tomorrow, Louis van Gaal looks to taste victory in what could have been his first trip to the capital with Manchester United but Arsenal will come to Old Trafford with renewed fight in them. After all, you wouldn’t want to part with this silverware. However, being a certain Dutch striker light, The Red Devils missing their second highest top scorer through an ankle injury is always a big blow, particularly when the opposition are his former employers. Additionally, the spitting controversy between Newcastle’s Papiss Cisse and Jonny Evans means the latter faces a spell on the sidelines, unable to return until serving this six match duration. Not only does the rival boss not expect ‘any weakness from Man United’ but van Gaal too suggested his desire to achieve ‘the goals we (Manchester United) have set’ has not wavered.
Thankfully, The Gunners won’t have a full squad at their disposal either. Gabriel Paulista will be unable to play any part in denying the home side from scoring due to straining his hamstring. Current second choice keeper, Wojciech Szczesny is flagged as a concern but is more likely than the previously mentioned defender, at least able to partake in a fitness test to determine whether possible for selection. Nacho Monreal and Mathieu Flamini have also left boss Arsene Wenger sweating over their availability, with back and hamstring niggles respectively. An injured quartet claim a new member in Gabriel for a three week period, he joins Wilshere for the same reason, Abou Diaby (calf) and Mathieu Debuchy (shoulder) are also there.
This is the second competition in which the two sets of reds are fiercely facing one another – the Premier League top four race being the other. For both gaffers also, it may not quite be winning the Champions League but a title nonetheless. It would prove simply a bonus, as both clubs European hopes are heading in positive directions at present. An exhilarating match is most definitely expected, as the two hope to restore the anticipation that once bestowed this fixture. Wenger reinforced this in a recent interview, saying: ‘For years it was always the game of the season that decided the Premier League, at this moment it is not the case, but it is still a big game.’
Comments.
Loading comments…