Cautiously Optmistic About Sunday

There are many reasons to be optimistic about the game tomorrow and this is what worries me the most. Usually when Man United go into a big game expecting to win, we end up taking it easy.

Nonetheless, it's hard to look forward with relish at seeing Rooney in his current form against Sol Campbell. The last time the two clashed, United spent the first half hitting long balls over Campbell for Rooney to run onto. The tactic didn't yield goals, but it gave Campbell some trouble. That was Portsmouth, this is Arsenal.

William Gallas will do his utmost to be the man tracking Rooney. So a lot will depend on how much support Rooney gets, whether down the middle, in the form of Berbatov or Fletcher, or from the flanks - from Nani, Giggs or Valencia. This is where the game will get truly interesting.

Arsenal like their wingbacks to join the attack as often as possible, and Man United enjoy their best play by exploiting the wings. This, I think is one of the key areas where the game will be won or lost.

Nani has suddenly displayed glimpses of great form, which include a miraculous repression of all his bad habits. In the last two games, he put in excellent stints on the right wing, where he displayed good footwork and control, frequently got past players, and provided probing crosses all game long. He defended well when he had to, and released the ball early. Is this the new Nani? Or just another fleeting moment of excellence before the return of Nani the wasteful? Tomorrow's game against Arsenal will be his biggest test.

Rafael is still United's weakest defender - as he isn't super-fast and can get caught out of position. Man City tried their best to use Bellamy's pace against him and it almost worked. Rio's absence will not be as keenly felt if Vidic can slot in and do the job. Arsenal's frontline don't have the kind of searing pace that tends to trouble Vidic. Evra, arguably the other player of the season so far, had another great game against Man City and his performance against Sagna will be one to watch.

Of course, the big battle in the middle of the pitch will be Fabregas the creator v Fletcher the destroyer. Song should start, though Diaby is injured. How Man United tackle Arsenal's midfield will define the quality of chances that fall to either team. Against City, Scholes, Fletcher and Carrick did extremely well by pushing up in the second half to give Rooney much more support.

It's rare that Man United and Arsenal meet so late in the season, with just a point between them (50-49) and nothing between their respective goal differences (34 for each). Winning this would give Man United a huge boost for challenging Chelsea and would leave Arsenal a mountain to climb in their next 2 games. I'll be at the emirates, and will report back from tomorrows game. Till then, here's hoping for the first Man United win at the Emirates stadium.