rydersonthestorm
01-11-2007, 03:45 AM
Ex-United and Arsenal striker Frank Stapleton admits there is little to choose
between his two former sides ahead of their clash at the Emirates Stadium.
The Irishman is convinced that, unlike other high-profile matches, Saturday's huge
encounter will be an unabashed feast of attacking football.
"With these so-called 'matches of the season' you get asked: 'Is it going to be
cagey?' It isn't a case of even considering that on this occasion,"Stapleton told
the Manchester Evening News.
"You just know there are going to be goals and it will be an open football match.
It certainly won't be 0-0. It cannot really be anything else the way United and
Arsenal are playing."
With no visible chinks in either side's armour, Stapleton concedes that neither
team has a distinct advantage over the other.
"It really is hard to split them at this time," he admitted. "I look through every
department of both teams and there is nothing in it.
"You think of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic in United's defence and how well
they are playing but then Arsenal have Kolo Toure and William Gallas not
conceding many.
"In midfield, despite United's injury problems they still have Anderson coming to
the fore and now Owen Hargreaves back plus wingers like Ronaldo, Giggs and
Nani.
"Then you look at Arsenal's engine-room and you have Cesc Fabregas in
sensational form scoring plenty of goals as well.
"Up front, Arsenal have Emmanuel Adebayor and others weighing in while United
have Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney on fire. It is fascinating. It is maybe up
front where United might have the edge."
Stapleton feels that, contrary to previous years, Arsenal have the wherewithal to
enter into a physical battle with Sir Alex Ferguson's side, if required.
"United and Arsenal play wonderful football," he said. "That's how United won the
title last season and it is how Arsenal have got to the top this campaign. I don't
see either side ditching that to get involved in anything.
"But the one thing that I think hasn't been noticed too much about Arsenal this
season because of the great football they are playing is that they don't lie down
like last season. Last year they were bullied out of too many matches. They were
too nice as players. But I think they have added steel to their game.
"United have always had steel about them. I think that aggression from United in
the past has given them the edge in these games.
"But I don't think Saturday is going to be a day when that is going to be called
upon too much. I think the entertainment value at the Emirates is going to be
excellent."
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between his two former sides ahead of their clash at the Emirates Stadium.
The Irishman is convinced that, unlike other high-profile matches, Saturday's huge
encounter will be an unabashed feast of attacking football.
"With these so-called 'matches of the season' you get asked: 'Is it going to be
cagey?' It isn't a case of even considering that on this occasion,"Stapleton told
the Manchester Evening News.
"You just know there are going to be goals and it will be an open football match.
It certainly won't be 0-0. It cannot really be anything else the way United and
Arsenal are playing."
With no visible chinks in either side's armour, Stapleton concedes that neither
team has a distinct advantage over the other.
"It really is hard to split them at this time," he admitted. "I look through every
department of both teams and there is nothing in it.
"You think of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic in United's defence and how well
they are playing but then Arsenal have Kolo Toure and William Gallas not
conceding many.
"In midfield, despite United's injury problems they still have Anderson coming to
the fore and now Owen Hargreaves back plus wingers like Ronaldo, Giggs and
Nani.
"Then you look at Arsenal's engine-room and you have Cesc Fabregas in
sensational form scoring plenty of goals as well.
"Up front, Arsenal have Emmanuel Adebayor and others weighing in while United
have Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney on fire. It is fascinating. It is maybe up
front where United might have the edge."
Stapleton feels that, contrary to previous years, Arsenal have the wherewithal to
enter into a physical battle with Sir Alex Ferguson's side, if required.
"United and Arsenal play wonderful football," he said. "That's how United won the
title last season and it is how Arsenal have got to the top this campaign. I don't
see either side ditching that to get involved in anything.
"But the one thing that I think hasn't been noticed too much about Arsenal this
season because of the great football they are playing is that they don't lie down
like last season. Last year they were bullied out of too many matches. They were
too nice as players. But I think they have added steel to their game.
"United have always had steel about them. I think that aggression from United in
the past has given them the edge in these games.
"But I don't think Saturday is going to be a day when that is going to be called
upon too much. I think the entertainment value at the Emirates is going to be
excellent."
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United !!!
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