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Manchester United will cuff a team soon

It’s tempting to say that Manchester United won without getting out of second gear but we have recently been reprimanded for abuse of cliches. I won’t name names but you know who you are. The game was rightly described by many as ‘strange’. It was bereft of the fire that we have become accustomed to in this fixture over the years. It almost seemed that a narrow United win was agreed by both sides before the game. Manchester United created plenty of good chances and, although there are signs of real crispness returning to their passing, The Red Devils were really wasteful on the whole. But this Manchester United team is coming together beautifully. They have eased into 1st place in the Premier League and only require one more point to qualify for The Champions League knockout phase, with three games remaining. They are in rude health and it’s only a matter of time before they batter some poor opponent. Aston Villa and Norwich beware.

Arsenal need another striker

In many ways this current incarnation is typical of an Arsenal team. They look nice, pass the ball well but have a slightly soft centre. The defence was dire on Saturday but their best back five is decent enough. The midfield of Cazorla, Wilshere and Arteta will control many a game. But what is a little worrying for Arsenal is their apparent paucity of quality in attack. With RVP swapping the red of Arsenal for that of Manchester, The Gunners lack an elite player up top. Podolski and Giroud are decent but, against United they were unable to affect the game or force their opponents onto the back foot often enough. And despite Walcott’s rumblings of discontent, he’s not the answer at centre forward. Surely Wenger needs to think about splashing any available cash on another front man. Why can’t Arsenal make a serious bid for Falcao or Llorente, for example?

Best equipped United side in years?

Apart from Shinji Kagawa, who is only a nominal midfielder, Manchester United haven’t spent money on the area of the pitch that many thought of as their achilles heel over the last few years. Instead, Tom Cleverley has come to the fore, adding much needed mobility and zest to the engine room,  Micheal Carrick has raised his game again, Anderson is playing his best football since coming to the club and Paul Scholes can still do a marvellous job when his team doesn’t have to chase the ball. Suddenly the midfield looks more than capable. Defenders are returning to the squad after injury and Evra and Ferdinand look imperious again after wobbles. In attack, United will scare any team in the world. In short, Manchester United fans should be very excited about this team and squad.

Wilshere and Walcott must stay

I have never been completely convinced by Theo Walcott. He does however possess a priceless asset for the modern game – pace. Arsenal shouldn’t pander to his every desire – he’s not that good. But a place should be found for him in the side as Arsenal need that raw speed going forward. As for Jack Wilshere, his allegiance to Arsenal will surely be tested over the next few years. He not only has rare skill but also that hunger and nastiness which is required to be a player of the highest echelon. Wenger needs to keep him sweet and keep improving the squad.

United refuse to clip their wings

Fergie’s love of width has been cited by some as the reason for United’s failure to bring more European Cups home in the modern era. Many top sides these days prefer to go with three midfielders and play through the middle more. United can look outnumbered there sometimes but, with RVP in their ranks, this problem is now minimised. With van Persie up top, Rooney can now drop deep in the big games, without changing the shape or personnel of the team too dramatically. So Fergie can now sate his desire for wingers and pack the midfield at the same time when necessary.

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