ManU v. Arsenal

Some time has passed since Monday but my thoughts on the match haven't really changed. To go there as table-toppers and not show any fight or desire to remain there (at the top of the table, not OT) is symptomatic of Arsenal's lack of belief. An incredible nervousness coupled with a lack of real leadership on the pitch means that this Arsenal team, for all its technical prowess, does not have the mental strength to be a really successful side.

There are reasonable match reports at http://arsenalcolumn.co.uk/?p=7515

and http://www.zonalmarking.net/2010/12/13/manchester-united-1-0-arsenal-tactics/

A brief word on the substitutions, in particular the introduction of RvP. AW seems to believe that he can play in the middle of the 3 in a 4-2-3-1. In this match, in this role, he offered nothing. It is all the more puzzling as AA remained wide on the left when his most influential half this season was in the second period at Villa when he played just behind the main striker. To me, it would have been better to move AA centrally and to play RvP wide, say inside-out on the right where he could cut-in on his left, stronger, foot.