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Thursday, February 19, 2009

Untouchables v Invincibles: The best XI from the great Man United and Arsenal teams

So who would win what some might consider the ultimate contest?

Who would emerge triumphant in a mouth-watering encounter between Arsenal's Invincibles of 2003-4 and Manchester United's all-conquering Untouchables of 2009?

Arsene Wenger would no doubt give the obvious response. His team were unbeaten for an entire Barclays Premier League campaign and they won the title.
Manchester United, while five points clear and the reigning champions of England, Europe and the world, have already lost two league encounters and still have some way to go before Sir Alex Ferguson can celebrate an 11th title.

The statistics tell their own story and suggest that, goal for goal, Arsenal provided the better entertainment. In their 38 games they scored 73 times.

An average of 1.92 goals per game, compared to the average of 1.76 taken from the 25 games United have so far contested.

In terms of points per game, they are almost identical. Exactly 2.36 for United and a marginally better 2.368 for Arsenal.

But for all Arsenal's apparent invincibility, United's record breaking defence would appear to be superior.

While Arsenal conceded 1.05 goals per game, United's incredible clean sheet run leaves them with an astonishing average of just 0.4. Just 10 goals in those 25 games, which is all the more impressive for the fact that Ferguson has used eight defenders in those 14 games without conceding a goal.

A contest between the two would indeed be fascinating. But imagine if Ferguson and Wenger could pick one team from the two squads. Would they consider the mother of all selection headaches or a managerial dream?

Goalkeeper: Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United)

Jens Lehmann was in the form of his life that season but Van der Sar has to get the nod for his 14-game clean sheet record as well as his brilliant distribution. Ferguson should have bought him when Peter Schmeichel retired after the Champions League final in 1999.

Right back: Lauren (Arsenal)

This has been a difficult position for United this season, not least because of Gary Neville's continued injury problems. Wes Brown, Rafael da Silva and John O'Shea have all impressed as deputies but Lauren gets the nod for consistency and availability.

Centre-backs: Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United)

Tough, tough call, and one that would probably divide Ferguson and Wenger. In 2004, Kolo Toure was among the finest centre-backs in Europe. A wonderful combination of pace, skill and athleticism. And remember how effective Ferdinand and Campbell were as a partnership with England, not least in the 2002 World Cup.


Left back: Ashley Cole (Arsenal)

Again, a difficult call when Patrice Evra has been so consistently excellent for United. But Ashley Cole was magnificent that season. Probably better than he has ever been in all his time at Chelsea. Remember, for instance, his performance against Cristiano Ronaldo in Euro 2004.

Right wing: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)

A no-brainer. The world's best players and, with Thierry Henry, the best player we have ever seen in the Premier League. Ronaldo definitely gets the nod ahead of Freddie Ljungberg. He would probably even claim to look better in a pair of underpants.

Central midfield: Patrick Vieira (Arsenal) and Michael Carrick (Manchester United)

Vieira was the best central midfielder in the world at that time and probably the captain of this team. The temptation to select Paul Scholes would be considerable but Carrick has developed into a terrific player at Old Trafford and his composure on the ball, as well as his youth, earns him selection alongside Le Grand Saucisse. No room, therefore, for Darren Fletcher or Gilberto Silva.

Left wing: Robert Pires (Arsenal)

A younger Ryan Giggs would have earned instant selection but Pires gets the nod here. He scored 14 Premier League goals that season and made 33 starts as well as three appearances as a sub. On his day, he was also terrific and developed a real telepathy with Henry.

Strikers: Thierry Henry (Arsenal) and Wayne Rooney (Manchester United).

What a combination they would have been. Henry, for me the most entertaining player in Premier League history, was at the peak of his powers, scoring 30 league goals that season. While Rooney is in ahead of a 34-year-old Dennis Bergkamp and a marginally less gifted Dimitar Berbatov.

Total score: Manchester United 6 Arsenal 5.

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