By Tony Alvarez
Only in the FA cup can you start following by Torquay United at home to Carlisle United and fin yourself previewing the fixture that has been the biggest in English Football over the past 15 years. Manchester United vs. Arsenal.
Both team are coming off the back of major set backs and United will be looking to get one over on the side who currently look like the only real challengers to them snatching the Premier League title back from Chelsea.
United currently look somewhat shaky after suffering back to back defeats against champions Chelsea and bitter rivals Liverpool, the Liverpool game was filled with talking points none more so than United’s media black out following the defeat but the club are expected to talk to the club this weekend.
Another incident in that game was Jamie Carragher’s horror tackle on Nani which has ruled the winger out of Saturdays fixture with Arsenal, I personally believe this is a massive blow for the Red Devils as without him and long term absentee I feel they lack creative spark although veteran Ryan Giggs is always capable of producing some magic as Arsenal an FA cup fans will know all too well.
United are however boosted by the return of Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic who missed the Liverpool game through suspension, he adds a lot more steel to their backline and for me is the best centre back in the World.
United are not the only ones suffering, Arsenal saw their Champions League dreams ruined in somewhat controversial fashion in midweek at the hands of Barcelona, although the Gunners were outclassed they had to play over 30 minutes with 10 men due to Robin Van Persie’s ridiculous sending off, which would presumably leave their team extremely fatigued for their visit to Old Trafford.
They are also without skipper and influential play maker Cesc Fabregas due to a reoccurrence of a hamstring injury he picked up at Stoke a few weeks back.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has however vowed to field the strongest possible side from the players he has available which hopefully sets us up for a cracking cup tie at Old Trafford.
United overcame non league side Crawley Town 1-0 in the previous round in a fixture that was not as comfortable as the Manchester outfit would of planned.
Arsenal also had problems in round 5 needing a reply to see off league one side Leyton Orient.
My prediction for this fixture would be a score draw as I said above I don’t think much of United’s creative side without Nani and Valencia but Arsenals defence is very shaky As neither side will want a replay the game is more likely to be settled by the odd goal and despite me being an Arsenal fan if I had to name the odd goal winner it would be United due to Fabregas’s absence and the return of Vidic.
Who do you think will progress? Is there and major reason for this? Will the winner of this go on to list the famous trophy? Is Vidic the best centre back in the World? Leave a comment below and let us know your thoughts.
