The head-honchos at Nike will be rubbing their hands with glee this weekend as the eyes of the football world will be fixed on the Emirates Stadium as Manchester United take on Arsenal on Saturday. Or rather, one team ‘so-heavily-endorsed-by-Nike-they-could-have-giant ‘Swoosh’ logos-on-their-backsides’ taking on another, equally emphatically branded ‘Arse’.
But the main reason for the heated palms of the Nike boardroom? Nike has recently been running the rather un-succinctly titled "Their Game, Your Finishing Touch" contest. This involves those red replica shirt wearing teens (that you often see suspiciously close to your car,) given the chance to design the match-day boots of the stars. Yes anybody could head to the Nike website and fiddle with the limited colour and template selection (in the vain hope that the company hasn’t already pre-selected their finest boots for such a mammoth showcase) and Rooney, Tevez, Ferdinand, Fabregas, Gallas, and Walcott will pick their favourites. These six are already down to a possible 3 starting the match, with Walcott and Gallas facing late fitness tests for Arsenal and Tevez unlikely to be preferred to Berbatov up front for United.
It is very likely that Sir Alex Ferguson will be sharing the joy of the Nike suits at the moment. There could not be a better time to play Arsenal, and all the pre-match signs point to a tricky path ahead for Wenger’s men. With the two aforementioned stars doubtful, Arsenal fans would already be apprehensive about Saturday lunch-time, but when the names Adebayor, Van Persie, Sagna, Silvestre, and Eboue are added to the list of ‘unlikely contenders’ and with Eduardo and Rosicky still long-term absentees, the Gooners faithful can be forgiven for their apprehension. With Berbatov, Rooney and Evra all nicely rested for the draw against Celtic in midweek, United fans will show no such fear. The record books support this confidence, with the Red Devils having lost only 2 of their last 12 matches against Arsenal, and only 1 of their last 6 on the Gooners’ home turf.
It is very likely that Sir Alex Ferguson will be sharing the joy of the Nike suits at the moment. There could not be a better time to play Arsenal, and all the pre-match signs point to a tricky path ahead for Wenger’s men. With the two aforementioned stars doubtful, Arsenal fans would already be apprehensive about Saturday lunch-time, but when the names Adebayor, Van Persie, Sagna, Silvestre, and Eboue are added to the list of ‘unlikely contenders’ and with Eduardo and Rosicky still long-term absentees, the Gooners faithful can be forgiven for their apprehension. With Berbatov, Rooney and Evra all nicely rested for the draw against Celtic in midweek, United fans will show no such fear. The record books support this confidence, with the Red Devils having lost only 2 of their last 12 matches against Arsenal, and only 1 of their last 6 on the Gooners’ home turf.
Footie Frog realises that there is always something to be said for being the underdog in a high-pressure situation, and knows that Arsenal’s kids have frequently been impressive when called upon this season. However, a relatively fresh, injury-free United, who are on top form and snapping at the heels of Liverpool and Chelsea, could tear the young Gooners apart tomorrow. Still, thanks to Nike, at least they will go down looking good. Arsenal 0-2 Manchester United.
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