Arsenal flying, Gunners alone can shoot them down

It was twelve months ago this weekend that Arsenal effectively sowed the seeds of their own destruction in the English Premiership. By beati...

It was twelve months ago this weekend that Arsenal effectively sowed the seeds of their own destruction in the English Premiership. By beating Manchester United in the fifth round of the FA Cup — in front of a stunned Old Trafford and after Ryan Giggs’s ‘‘miss of the century’’, they not only freed their rivals of an additional focus but stung them out of their ennui.

The scenario now is in some ways the same, in some ways very different. Arsenal are currently in the same imperious form as they were 12 months ago, leading the table by five points (it was three last year) and ahead on goals scored, the lot. United look shaky, a shadow of the team that strode to the title in May.

So that much remains the same.

What’s changed is the relative strengths of the two sides. Last season, and for the first half of this one, United had a solid defence; Rio Ferdinand and Silvestre appeared to be the long-awaited successors to Bruce and Pallister, the formidable pairing of the first years of the Premiership. All the problems seemed to be Arsenal’s, as Sol Campbell looked increasingly uncomfortable alongside a clutch of journeymen defenders.

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But a moment of high stupidity from Ferdinand — missing a dope test — could have its consequences as far away as May. United’s back four are jittery at the best of times, even conceding a headed goal to the diminutive Juninho; only Howard, whose bones could be made of rubber, has stood between the team and greater disaster. Arsenal? Well, they’ve conceded just 16 goals against United’s 23; that tells this part of the story.

	UNITED’S OTHER HALF

			• What’s the latest on Man United PLC? The London Stock Exchange’s Takeover Panel have placed Man U in an “offer period” • What prompted this? A statement from Malcolm Glazer, who owns 16.3 per cent of the club’s shares, that he wasn’t ruling out a takeover • What does it mean? Essentially, that anyone holding more than 1 per cent of the club has to make public details of their dealings • Who is Glazer? Owner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers football team, a Very Rich Man • Can Glazer take over? Only if Magnier & McManus, who own 29 pc, choose to sell their stake • Will they? Actually, they could opt to buy out Glazer. That depends on how badly they want to hurt Ferguson. And that, in turn, depends on how badly Ferguson wants to fight with them • Where does that fight stand? Both in their corners, while mediators are mediating…Ferguson, having seen he’s bitten off more than he can chew, may just give in and take what’s offered • Who’s the money on? Arsenal, who may send M&M a bottle of bubbly if they win the Premiership

At the other end, both are running neck and neck — in quantity (49 each), if not quality. Though they’ve re-learnt the art of the scoreline that they made famous (1-0), Arsenal still appear unable to countenance scoring scrappy goals. Not that they need to, with Henry and Reyes threatening a duet the Premiership has rarely witnessed: lots of goals, and lots of beauty too.

United’s goals aren’t pretty; Van Nistelrooy, the poacher par excellence, specialises in knocking them in, any old way. It’s still a treat, though, to watch his lightning reflexes and sheer hunger, and his all-round play.

Which brings us to the future. This time last season, the pundits were saying that omnipotent Arsenal could be beaten only by themselves. In a way, that’s exactly what happened. The difference this time is that United currently don’t look a side able to take advantage of any slip-up by the Gunners.

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The Old Trafford club have far too much off-field stuff on their plate (see box) and some of it is bound to be a distraction. One example of this is Ferguson’s inexplicable decision not to buy a defender in the January transfer window, knowing Ferdinand would be out for the rest of the season.

Their rivals appear to have come to terms with the confusion surrounding their new stadium, and its financial implications. Henry, possibly the most popular footballer in England, has loudly voiced his loyalty to his club, who have reciprocated by saying he’s not for sale.

What happens in summer, when Senor Perez flies in from Madrid with his chequebook, is another issue altogether but Henry’s contentment with his current lot augurs well for the club’s immediate future.

With 13 matches to go, Arsenal don’t look like they can be beaten. Unless, of course, they beat themselves. Either way, the key to the Premiership lies in Highbury; all Old Trafford can do is sit and wait.