With Arsenal hosting Manchester United at the Emirates on Sunday, the two respective supporters’ clubs in the UAE have their say on the match.
If you are interested in joining the clubs or popping along to watch the big game with like minded fans, you can contact them via the social media accounts linked below.
To have your say on the likely line-ups, predictions and share your favourite moment from the rivalry through the years, use #360fans across social media.
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RICHARD D’CRUZE – ARSENAL SUPPORTERS CLUB UAE
Arsenal-Manchester United showdowns are one of the most exciting fixtures in the Premier League, the rivalry fierce between the two given the history and tradition of both clubs. It means indulgent bragging rights for the victor and heartbreak for the defeated.
Arsenal’s record against United – both home and away – is not the best. Apart from a win in the FA Cup last year, the North Londoners have not beaten United since May 2011 in the league.
The midweek Champions League fixtures will have a major bearing on the players’ mentality, Arsenal coming into the match after being humiliated by Olympiakos at home and left on the verge of being dumped out of the competition and United having enjoyed a hard fought win over Wolfsburg.
A win over the Red Devils would see Arsenal draw level with table topping United and the players really need to step up and prove they are serious about challenging for major honours.
Alexis Sanchez and Wayne Rooney both seem to have found their shooting boots after ending their respective goal droughts, albeit in more impressive fashion by the Chilean than the Englishman, and they will be keen to make the difference. The same will go for Antony Martial at United. The teenage wunderkind has taken the Premier League by storm so far and will take some stopping.
For Arsenal, Laurent Koscielny is the latest player to pick up an injury, pulling his hamstring against Olympiakos. Also absent are Mikel Arteta, Mathieu Flamini and Francis Coquelin.
Favourite moment: January 21, 2007: Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United (above)
After a goalless first-half, Rooney hand United the lead and just as all seems to be lost, Robin van Persie finds the equaliser in the 83rd minute after Thierry Henry’s splendid back heel.
Deep into injury-time, Emmanuel Eboue’s cross finds Henry who heads home the winner. Beautiful.
Score prediction: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United
Likely Arsenal line-up: Cech; Monreal, Gabriel, Mertesacker, Bellerin; Cazorla, Ramsey, Chamberlain; Sanchez, Ozil; Walcott
Arsenal player to watch: Theo Walcott – He is currently the most experienced player in the Arsenal-United rivalry for the Gunners. The team will need the rapid striker to unsettle international teammates Chris Smalling and Phil Jones.
Manchester United player to watch: Juan Mata – While Martial will be largely seen as the danger man, eyes should actually be on Mata. The Spanish midfielder has been superb so far this season, with three goals and three assists to his name.
Watch @ManUtd midfielder @juanmata8 take on the @TheGlobalGoals dizzy penalty challenge. #FletchAndSav http://t.co/b8w8vpW7nZ
— Fletch And Sav (@FletchAndSav) October 3, 2015
Where to watch: ArsenalUAE’s Dubai branch gathers at Velocity Bar JW Marquis in Business Bay. For Gooners in the capital, the ArsenalUAE Abu Dhabi chapter gather at Harvester’s in Holiday Inn Downtown.
For more information on how to become an ArsenalUAE member contact [email protected] or www.facebook.com/ArsenalUAE.
ZIAD AL JAMAAN – MUSCUAE
The two teams go into this game in fairly decent form however United might have the edge after Arsenal’s shock loss in the Champions League.
There has been a lot to feel good about at United since David de Gea committed to a new contract and the arrival of Martial, which has culminated in Van Gaal leading the Reds to the top of the Premier League table.
Not many people knew much about him Martial before he arrived but he has silenced his critics with the goals he has scored.
What is most impressive is his all round play, which is impressing fans at Old Trafford early on. While it’s still early days, he really does have the makings of a fine striker and comparisons with Arsenal legend Thierry Henry are not without merit.
Is this @AnthonyMartial effort your #mufc Goal of the Month? See all the contenders here: https://t.co/ek4KARSlWC https://t.co/RuqBCWs4a3
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 1, 2015
The Arsenal game is the start of a very tricky few games for United and the fixtures will put our squad depth to the test.
If we come out of the next 5-6 games at worse 3-4 points off the leaders then we should stand a very good chance of glory come the end of the season.
Arsenal have not been at their best this season, bar some flashes of brilliance.
Sanchez was impressive last week but that counts for nothing when you follow it up with a demoralising loss in Europe against a team you should be beating.
The big question is whether Arsenal have the mental toughness to come back from that defeat. I doubt it, and with Koscielny out it will be a real test for their back four against the very lively MMM – Martial, Memphis and Mata.
Rooney has been frustrating to put it nicely but he loves a goal against the Gunners so may come good.
United have the upper hand when it comes to head-to-head meetings and will look to capitalise on midweek’s horror show for the hosts.
Favourite moment: February 2, 2005: Arsenal 2-4 Manchester United (above)
My most memorable moment during a game between the two sides has to be the infamous Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira battle in the tunnel. Ah, the good old days…
Likely United line-up: De Gea; Darmian, Smalling, Blind, Valencia; Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger; Mata, Memphis, Martial; Rooney
United Player to watch: Martial – Sitting on the shoulders of defenders he will look to exploit any uncertainty at the back with his direct running and dribbling.
Arsenal Player to watch: Sanchez– Outstanding last week, he might be coming back into form after Arsene Wenger admitted rushing him back too soon.
Predicted Result: 2-1
It will be close but a Martial 80th min winner is on the cards…
