Arsenal Vs Manchester United: The central midfield solution

Arsenal face an excellent counter-attacking Manchester United on Monday night. The solution to the problem is not in defence, however, but rather in central midfield.

For Unai Emery and Arsenal, the chance to make a real statement has presented itself. While this has been an extremely turbulent season for the club, simultaneously enjoying rousing victories and lacking performances, there seems to be a general feeling among the fan base that Monday night’s trip to a weak and flimsy Manchester United is a must-win game for Emery.

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There are not too many arguments for him to be fired. Not yet, anyway. But with turgid football persisting from last season and some results that seem more empty than predictive, there is a growing desire to be impressed by Emery and his team. Arsenal fans have become judges, not just supporters.

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And if they are to avoid those dreaded buzzers and sail through to the next round, the Gunners must not only beat Manchester United on Monday, but they must do so emphatically, unequivocally proving that they are the superior of the two teams.

For Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his United team, the gameplan is simple. It is something that they have been excellent at under his management: counter-attack. Arsenal should attempt to dominate possession, even at Old Trafford. The fans will demand an offensive approach that seeks to hurt United and play in attacking areas of the pitch. As we have seen time and time again, they are extremely vulnerable to the counter-attack when they play in this manner, as United have exploited before.

With Marcus Rashford back in the squad and pace in the likes of Daniel James, as well as a strong, imposing backline, world-class goalkeeper, and line-breaking Paul Pogba, who should also return, United have proven themselves extremely adept at playing on the break. So what must Arsenal do to contend with that threat?

Well, it all stems from the central midfield. First and foremost, they must not commit silly turnovers in dangerous areas that creates chances for United to attack an exposed defence in transition. The pass completion rates must be very high, up towards and even above 90%, and the match must be controlled through extended periods of possession.

But when United do force turnovers, and they will, it will be on Arsenal’s central midfield to prevent disaster from striking again. They must be aware of United’s threat, organised in a manner that prevents vast spaces on the break, even when in possession. They then must be quick to re-structure themselves, recover their positions, and return to a strong defensive shape.

United likely do not have the technical and creative quality to break the Gunners down. But they certainly have a cutting edge that can slice through an unprepared and unbalanced defence, as Arsenal have found themselves after turnovers throughout the Emery era. These are the type of situations that Solkjsaer will try to create for his team.

Emery and his team have an opportunity to establish themselves as the favourites for a top-four finish. They can go to Old Trafford and dismantle a limping United team. But they must be wary of the counter-attack, especially in central midfield. This is their audition. Now they simply have to shine.