We'll batter them

I'm usually optimistic, but not for this.
3-1 loss, but Hoilund scoring giving a glimpse of better times to come.

I'll be delighted with a draw but with half our defence out and probably still no fit striker I'm not expecting much. We'll have to play McTominay over Eriksen just for added mobility, maybe even Bruno as a false 9 to give us extra numbers in the middle and hope one of the wide players can get a goal or we get one from a set piece.

I think we'll get battered. 4-0.

One thing united do well is counter attack, and we look quite susceptible to those. Could be an interesting game if we don't deal with it.

We've been defensively poor at the start of the season but actually creating a lot of chances (I think I read we're 3rd in the league for chances created from open play and similar for chances from set pieces). Putting Rashford where he belongs on the left made us much more penetrative. Eriksen's lack of mobility vs Arsenal's pressing is definitely a weak point. As is the absence of Varane. I'm a bit less worried about the drop-off at left back as Dalot has always performed quite well there.

Arsenal are comfortable favourites but if we sort out the team's defensive structure we have a chance of making it a competitive match.

3-0 or 4-1 Arsenal is the logical result. A draw for United would be massive

If we go there and do what SAF used to do and sit in then, of course, we have a chance of a result.

Absolutely dreading it

United are a counterattacking team and have been for many years.

You will cause us problems

I’m predicting an absolute breathtaking game with plenty of goals and the ref allowing a free flowing but tough game……..

Nah, 3-0 to them with us being denied 2 stonewall penalties with the new levelling up system now being used by refs, and Bruno and Casemiro getting sent off. Should be a decent alternative comms though.

We were really good there last season and unlucky to lose. If we actually turn up for once and take some chances early on instead of wasting a million, we might do ok.

But yeh, like most I expect a comfortable home win

We were really good there last season and unlucky to lose
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Really? I thought we were quite lucky to keep it at 3-2.

Shaw being out might not be the worst thing in this one. He normally performs horribly against Saka and has a tendency to back off and back off and back off...

Dalot being right footed up against the Saka's left might be helpful as Saka coming onto his stronger foot will also be coming onto Dalot's stronger side, too.

If ETH wants us to come out and press high then we'll get slaughtered. Our high press very much looks a work in progress and has been exploited again and again throughout preseason and the first few games by teams not as good as Arsenal. If we play a little more pragmatic and compact then there's no reason we can't hurt them.

I'm resigned to Arteta using Havertz. This will be his sink or swim game - because in theory we should control midfield against Utd, but they will be a threat in transition.

comment by Afc1989 (U21076)
posted 1 minute ago
I'm resigned to Arteta using Havertz. This will be his sink or swim game - because in theory we should control midfield against Utd, but they will be a threat in transition.
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Is Jesus fit to start?

comment by BerbaKing11 (U6256)
posted 10 minutes ago
Shaw being out might not be the worst thing in this one. He normally performs horribly against Saka and has a tendency to back off and back off and back off...

Dalot being right footed up against the Saka's left might be helpful as Saka coming onto his stronger foot will also be coming onto Dalot's stronger side, too.

If ETH wants us to come out and press high then we'll get slaughtered. Our high press very much looks a work in progress and has been exploited again and again throughout preseason and the first few games by teams not as good as Arsenal. If we play a little more pragmatic and compact then there's no reason we can't hurt them.
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I wouldn't be 100% against AWB starting at LB either to counter the Saka threat. It could be Cucurella by then though I suppose!

"I wouldn't be 100% against AWB starting at LB either"

That's a stupid idea isn't it? When has AWB ever played on the left?

Arsenal have looked pretty crap themselves. No more convincing win against Forest than ours.

Stick Johnny Evans at LB

comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 2 minutes ago
Arsenal have looked pretty crap themselves. No more convincing win against Forest than ours.
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Arsenal dominated Forest and only let them back in when they took their foot off the pedal whereas we reverted back to Momentchester United to sneak past them

comment by Robb Matilda (U22716)
posted 33 seconds ago
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 2 minutes ago
Arsenal have looked pretty crap themselves. No more convincing win against Forest than ours.
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Arsenal dominated Forest and only let them back in when they took their foot off the pedal whereas we reverted back to Momentchester United to sneak past them
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We had a horrendous start but we created loads of chances against Forest. I'm not carried away by the performance because Forest look defensively poor, and poorly organised. But from 0-2 to 3-2 we dominated the game and carved out far more opportunities than those three 'moments'.

comment by Robb Matilda (U22716)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 2 minutes ago
Arsenal have looked pretty crap themselves. No more convincing win against Forest than ours.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Arsenal dominated Forest and only let them back in when they took their foot off the pedal whereas we reverted back to Momentchester United to sneak past them
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Forest should’ve been 2-0 up before Arsenal flopped that goal. The skill was nice but unintentionally wound up at Nketiahs feet, who they scored via a deflected shot.

I think we’ll get tanked tbh.

Fear for us if we concede early tbh.