The Gunners' dynamic midfield duo will cut off the ammunition to United's free-scoring trio. Tomorrow's lunchtime match at the Emirates Stadium marks a true old-fashioned clash of the titans in England. Level on points, Arsenal host Manchester United in what promises to be one of the matches of the season. It is not often that two teams of such a calibre meet in domestic competition at the peak of their form. Arsenal are yet to lose this season, while United have won their last eight, having scored four goals in each of their last four games. So who carries the edge going into this game? I would argue that it is Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal. Arsenal have the edge because midfield wins games. Without there creative engine Paul Scholes, United will have to rely on their three greatest attack threats Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez. Though Rooney and Tevez both often fall back to win the ball, and Ronaldo is an excellent midfielder by trade, they will feel the hurt of their main ball winner and fighter Scholes. They need someone to fight and win balls and really take the game to their opponents. Since Scholes normally plays that role, it now falls to Michael Carrick and Owen Hargreaves. While both are competent, can they really win possession from the tenacious pairing of Cesc Fabregas and Mathieu Flamini, while still providing needed service to the dangerous front three? That is going to be the biggest issue for Sir Alex Ferguson's men. Their biggest threat comes from their forwards, and as good as Rooney, Tevez, and Ronaldo are, they can’t change the game without the ball. Arsenal, on the other hand, build attacks through their best players, Alexander Hleb and Fabregas, the creative engines. Since they attack from the back, always going through the same two players, their most dangerous weapons (though not quite as lethal as the Rooney-Tevez partnership) see more of the ball and can use it more effectively. For example, in Arsenal’s match against Liverpool, Hleb and Fabregas were virtually unstoppable, and that was against a team whose fans claim to have “the best midfield in the world.” If Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano can be dominated by the young Arsenal midfield, it will be hard for Hargreaves, lacking match fitness, to do any better. Additionally, with Gary Neville (if he plays) lacking match fitness, he will almost certainly struggle with the pace on the ball of Hleb, Tomas Rosicky or Gael Clichy going forward. Further, on-form Flamini should become a big factor in how the game turns out. If he can establish himself sitting behind Fabregas, he will allow Arsenal to set the pace of the game. Not only does his defensive nature improve the solidity of the Arsenal back line, it allows him to help the Arsenal midfield take the play into the Manchester United half, giving further options to Fabregas and Hleb to move forward. Thus, if Arsenal can dominate possession they can win this game. However, there is a set of circumstances which would be more favourable for the Red Devils. Arsenal have trouble starting on the right foot, as seen in the matches against Liverpool, Fulham and, most recently, Sheffield United. Manchester United are a team who can press relentlessly at any time in the match, so they could easily open with a quick goal. If they can score one early on, it’s hard to see them slowing down, as they have scored four in each of their last four. This game can easily balance on a knife edge, but I think Arsenal will be the ones to edge it. If the superb and on-form Gunners midfield can gain possession and create chances, United’s midfield, lacking Scholes, won't be able to cope. In the end, United’s superb strike pairing won't beat out Arsenal’s dominant midfield.
