How the bittersweet international break could sway the clash between two fading heavyweights

Arsenal and United face each other for the first time this season on Saturday, but how has the international break helped and hindered both teams? 

The first meeting between Arsenal and Man United in the 2004-2005 season is arguably the most renowned and memorable match in Premier League history, as the ‘Battle of the Buffet’ saw two English football giants going punch for punch, with United controversially running out 2-0 winners and ending the Gunners' 49 game unbeaten streak. Their feisty and heated encounters were the pinnacle of British sporting entertainment, personified in the dugout by the imperious Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger, and on the pitch by the midfield generals of Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira. Fast forward 10 years though, and we are presented with the first contest this season between these erstwhile behemoths; a contest that now smells more of desperation and fear than expectation and confidence. Both sides go into Saturday's match in poor form, as they have secured only two victories each in their last 4 league matches. It seems like the international break arrived at the perfect time for Arsenal and United, allowing them to lick their wounds and regroup for a fortnight. With the internationals now over, which of the two has recovered better for Saturday’s encounter?

English representatives from both Man United and Arsenal gave a good account of themselves in England’s 3-1 wins over both Slovenia and Scotland. Wayne Rooney found the net 3 times and seemed much more comfortable up front than he has been in recent times, indicating that he is finally getting used to holding the captaincy of both club and country. Louis van Gaal will be needing his captain at the top of his game to overturn their rivals in the hunt for a place in the top four. Luke Shaw and Chris Smalling also featured, but Shaw is a doubt for the weekend having sustained a knock against Scotland.

Rooney, Wilshere, and Welbeck have all returned to duty in fine form. Photograph: Sky Sports

The signs are even more encouraging for Arsenal. Danny Welbeck, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jack Wilshere were hugely influential in both matches, with Welbeck nabbing two goals and Chamberlain scoring and providing some much needed power to England’s attack. Significantly, Wilshere produced two man-of-the-match performances from the deep midfield position. After two encouraging displays from Arsenal's English contingent, Wenger will, most probably, choose to start all of these players on Saturday. It will be interesting to see though, as Daniel Storey speculates, whether Wilshere can be as effective for Arsenal in the deep lying role as he is for England. There seems to be increased pressure on Wenger to play Wilshere in the same holding midfield role preferred by Hodgson. With Arsenal continuing to look lightweight in midfield and leak goals against the more beatable teams, Wilshere has been touted recently by pundits as being a viable option in defensive midfield. Though Arteta will return to the squad for Saturday, Wenger may be tempted to let Wilshere sit alongside Flamini, protecting the back four, and allowing Ramsey, Chamberlain, and Sanchez more freedom. Though certainly aware of his side's defensive frailties, Wenger will no doubt be looking to capitalise on van Gaal's makeshift defense too, and Wilshere playing as a deep-lying playmaker may give the Gunners an advantage in this respect.

Outside of England duty though, United may feel like the international break for their foreign stars has been a hindrance to their preparation for the battle against their old rival. In spite of van Persie’s goal and assist in the Netherlands’ 6-0 drubbing of Latvia, United have been left with more problems than solutions as Shaw, Di María and De Gea are all awaiting late fitness tests for Saturday after suffering knocks in the last week. Furthermore, and perhaps most worryingly, is the absence of Daley Blind through injury, which van Gaal confirmed “will be a long story…but not six months or something like that”. Blind has begun his life at Old Trafford well, keeping things simple when in possession and, more importantly, protecting United’s fragile back four when not. Though it was Di María’s transfer from Madrid to Manchester that grabbed the headlines in August, the capture of Blind has worked well so far for van Gaal's side. Blind has gone about his business effectively, and United’s defense has most certainly benefited from Blind’s defensive contribution, with van Gaal’s side winning half the games Blind has started, and none that he hasn’t. Van Gaal did provide a silver lining for United fans though, as the vacant defensive midfield role left by Blind should be assumed by Michael Carrick, whom he declares "is ready to play".Though Carrick has not played too often this season, he should provide some much needed defensive support to Fellaini in the middle.

Daley Blind has contributed well to United's defensive stability. Infographic: WhoScored Photograph: Infographic: WhoScored

Unfortunately for United, Wenger will seek further encouragement from his south American superstar Alexis Sánchez who, after scoring for his national side yet again, has 8 goals in his last 6 matches for club and country, and 14 already for the season. The indefatigable Sánchez seems to show no signs of losing his goal scoring form, and Wenger will be looking to his star player to take advantage of Blind's absence.

The only worrying development from the international break for Arsène Wenger is the continued poor form of Arsenal's star player of last season. Once again Aaron Ramsey failed to make an impression this week, this time for Wales, as they drew against Belgium in qualifying for the 2016 Euros. Having recently admitted to a lack of fitness, and having suffered a minor injury earlier on in the season, Ramsey hasn't produced the same confident performances as last season, even after a promising start to the campaign that comprised two goals in the first two games. It is possible to attribute this poor form to Ramsey's position on the pitch and this point is discussed in Wenger's recent interview on beIN Sport. Arsenal fans last season saw Ramsey score 16 goals, the majority of them often the result of late surging runs from deep. This season, however, Ramsey has been too eager to get further up the pitch, often ending up next to or past the striker, in an attempt to create goals and get on the end of moves. Incidentally, Arsenal fans saw earlier in the season how a change of position can affect the form of a player. After making the switch from his preferred number ten role to the left wing, Mesut Özil received much criticism for his dip in form. Though confidence and fitness undoubtedly have something to do with Ramsey's underwhelming season thus far, maybe so does playing slightly out of position, where it is easier for him to neglect his defensive duties.

Wenger has noticed Ramsey's increased tendency to push forward. Photograph: beIN Sports

It has already been a physically difficult season for Arsenal and United, and it will be revealing to see how both sides deal with the unfit Ramsey and the absent Blind in a bid to get back up the table. It seems that the international break has swayed the bout in Arsenal's favour, as they appear better equipped to deal with their problems thanks to their on-song Englishmen. As Chelsea and Man City kick off two hours before them on Saturday, at home to West Brom and Swansea respectively, it is likely that more pressure will be heaped upon what is an already vital match in the battle for a top four spot. The local bragging rights held by Arsenal and United for so long may have passed over to the blue side of their respective cities, but they will both give their all this weekend to come out victorious and kick start their campaign to once again become the footballing giants they were a decade ago.