'Van Gaal must find next Vidic; Chambers Arsenal's answer in midfield'
Friday 21 November 2014 18:48, UK
Jamie Redknapp is expecting plenty of goals on Saturday Night Football when Arsenal and Manchester United meet...
Arsenal and Manchester United have been involved in some great contests over the years – and this weekend’s Saturday Night Football could be another one to remember.
However, that’s more likely to be down to each team’s defensive problems, rather than because both are battling for the title this season, as they were in the past.
Manchester United spent a lot of money in the summer and they should be in a better position than they are, but defensively they’ve not really solved their problems.
Louis van Gaal’s CV is taking some of the pressure off him. Another manager, with less experience, doing what he's doing would get a lot of criticism.
Louis van Gaal has struggled to find a system that works for his team. They started with 3-5-2 and they didn’t get results, then they switched to four at the back and conceded five goals at Leicester. They can change it as much as they want but the players have to be happy with what they’re doing and know their roles.
Like Liverpool last season, United, by not being in the Champions League, have had time to address their defensive problems but it hasn’t happened yet.
Instead, Louis van Gaal’s CV is taking some of the pressure off him. Another manager, with less experience, doing what Van Gaal’s doing and saying he needs three years to sort things out would get a lot of criticism. But because it’s Van Gaal, we’re saying ‘that’s ok then’.
We shouldn’t forget – this is Manchester United, who won the title fewer than two seasons ago. They won it by nine points from a City side that was incredibly strong. Winning the title again this season seems a long way away, but it can’t be that far. They have a lot of quality players and a frontline of Radamel Falcao, Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie, which is sensational.
The problem is, Van Gaal signed a lot of midfielders and forwards but defensively they missed a trick this season. He needs time to find the next Nemanja Vidic or the next Rio Ferdinand. It’s not easy because a lot of defenders now prefer to attack. He has Daley Blind and Marcos Rojo, who will be absent on Saturday, but long-term, are they the answer?
On Saturday United travel to the Emirates to face an Arsenal side who are also having problems in defence.
Jack Wilshere has thrown his hat into the ring to be their defensive midfielder but I don’t think he’s the answer to their problem there. Arsenal need someone who puts a coat on when they leave their house, who looks both ways ten times when they cross the road. Someone who expects the worst in every situation and is ready to deal with it.
I don’t believe that’s Jack Wilshere. He has a lot to offer going forward, so why restrict him to defensive midfield?
Their answer is right in front of them – Calum Chambers.
The 19-year-old is currently playing at right-back, while Mathieu Debuchy is out injured. But I’m convinced he’ll end up playing that holding role for Arsenal. He’s so well suited to it.
Previously I would have said he was too young for that position but the requirements have changed and he’d have no problem slotting in there.
He’s not lightning but he’s quick enough, he’s comfortable on the ball, he’s a good passer, he organises his team-mates well, he can tackle and he loves defending. Plus, with his height, he can also slip into defence if Arsenal lose the ball. He’s tailor-made for that role.
When I look at these two sides, both of them are full of attacking quality – Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott, Olivier Giroud, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Aaron Ramsey, Angel Di Maria, Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Radamel Falcao. But when you look at the defenders you think, ‘there aren’t enough good defenders on this pitch’.
There have only been five 0-0 draws between these two in the Premier League since it started in 1992, so I’m expecting goals. It doesn’t always work out like that. It may be that both teams might try to suffocate the midfield because neither of them can afford defeat. But I can see it being a scoring draw.
Arsenal are without Debuchy and Laurent Koscielny, who are big losses for the team, while United are missing Rojo and Blind. So neither team will be going into this full of confidence in their defence and I can see it finishing a 1-1 draw.
Watch Arsenal v Manchester United on Saturday Night Football, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 4.45pm.
