Red Devils ‘will be ready for showdown with Gunners’
Even at this early stage of the season, the clash is developing must-win proportions for the hosts, whose title aspirations are being hindered by a glut of draws.
Sunday’s 1-1 stalemate with Middlesbrough was their fourth in eight Premiership outings so far and while it actually took United into fourth spot in the table, they are nine points adrift of Arsene Wenger’s side and seven adrift of second-placed Chelsea.
Alex Ferguson may insist he is not unduly concerned about the size of the gap but unless his team can help themselves, they already require a side who has not lost in 48 domestic games to suffer three defeats in their next 30 outings and then go on a lengthy unbeaten run themselves.
The stakes are already high but the encounter will have added spice anyway seeing as the Red Devils camp know they blew the best chance anyone had of beating Arsenal last season when van Nistelrooy blazed a last-gasp penalty over the bar which would have settled a stormy Old Trafford encounter last September.
The plaudits that continue to be heaped on the Highbury outfit also rankle given United have won eight Premiership titles to their major rivals’ three and with an increasing likelihood that Arsenal will head north looking to make it 50 matches without defeat, the game of the season is looming.
“There is still a long way to go,” warned Smith. Arsenal come here in three weeks time and we will be ready for them. I know they are still unbeaten but we have only lost once ourselves, even if we haven’t won as many as we would like.” By then, Ferguson should also have Louis Saha back, supplementing an already fearsome strikeforce containing Smith, van Nistelrooy and Wayne Rooney.
It had been widely anticipated that Smith would be the man squeezed out by Rooney’s arrival but while the blunt-speaking Yorkshire man has started just one game out of the last five, he clearly has no intention of playing second fiddle to anyone. The £7m summer arrival from Leeds has already scored the match-winner against Norwich and a last-gasp equaliser at Blackburn. Sunday’s ferocious header was his sixth goal of the season, two more than van Nistelrooy and David Bellion.
It is not a bad return for someone whose goalscoring record was derided when he made his controversial switch across the Pennines, although the 24-year-old was not entirely content with his contribution. “Having got one, I was looking for another,” he grumbled. “I thought I was going to get it too when Rio Ferdinand put in a superb cross but one of their defenders got in to block it.”
Smith faced a storm of protest from Leeds fans after making it clear his preference was a move to Old Trafford after informing his hometown club he would not be accompanying them into the Football League.
Many proclaimed the striker to be a Judas given the long-standing antipathy between the Roses rivals and the hero-worship of Smith as a lifetime supporter of the Whites.
The forward refused to buckle and insisted all along he had the right to play for any side he chose if he felt the move would enhance his career.
After missing out on selection for Euro 2004, Smith has already been rewarded by a return to England colours and, even with Rooney back, should be on the bench at least at Old Trafford next Saturday as Sven-Goran Eriksson’s men tackle Wales.
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