Arsenal Vs Manchester United: The final litmus test

Arsenal host Manchester United on Saturday evening. It is a game in which the Gunners can establish themselves as contenders in the Premier League; it is the final litmus test for a team that traditionally struggles against the big boys.

In recent seasons, Arsenal have had a problem. It has been a recurring one, an undermining one, one that everyone can see, but few can offer a solution. It has a myriad of different reasons, with a prolonged influence, year on year undermining the team’s endeavours. It is also a well-publicised one, that is brandished for the world see, making it all the more challenging to the psyche of the squad. I am, of course, talking about the Gunners’ problems in the big games, especially away from home.

And this season started poorly for them in such fixtures. Arsene Wenger took his team to Anfield and allowed naivety and innocence to reign. A blistering Liverpool side carved open their visitors, running out 4-0 victors, exposing the same old vulnerabilities that have evidently not been addressed.

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However, since that day, Arsenal have played Chelsea, at Stamford Bridge, Manchester City, at the Etihad, and then Tottenham Hotspur, in the North London derby, at the Emirates. In those three games, they have won one, lost one, and drawn one. But the loss, to City earlier in November, was an unfortunate one. Although City were the better side, they benefitted from wayward refereeing and a little bounce of the ball at times in the second half.

On Saturday evening, Arsenal welcome Manchester United to North London in their final match against the top six in the first half of this season. They have the chance to both establish themselves as contenders in the Premier League, pulling to within one point of Jose Mourinho’s side with a win, and prove that they are at least beginning to dismiss the hoodoo that has engulfed them against the other top teams in the country.

And there are two individuals that will be especially scrutinised if their performances do not match the levels that they have been playing at in recent weeks. Arsenal’s improved play since the international break has been built on an increased vibrancy and vigour from the midfield pair of Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey.

Ozil, playing in a more advanced position, has pressed onto the defensive line of the opposition, hounding and harrying, forcing errant long passes that can easily be recovered, while Ramsey, in his ever-energetic manner, has played with a greater discipline, especially in his positioning, making him more efficient in his effort.

But both have gone missing in the big games. Against Liverpool, neither helped the forays of the team, with Ramsey being hauled off at halftime after deserting Granit Xhaka in the middle of the pitch, allowing Liverpool to surge through an exposed and unprotected Arsenal midfield.

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If they again go quiet against United on Saturday, then the questions of their mental ability to perform when it matters most will again be asked. This is the final litmus test for the Gunners, for Wenger, and for Ramsey and Ozil. Pass it and pass it well, and it sets them up for a promising season.

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