I posted something about this on the "preview" but being as most of the comments on highlights and previews are asinine and ill-informed I thought it would be best to open this discussion to the normal users of FR.

In short, what I said is I think this could be a season defining match for the following reasons:
#1- There is a 2 week international break after this match and it will set the tone for the rest of the season.
#2- IF United lose they will be 11 points off the top from mid-November and
it will be statistically highly improbable that they will win the
league.
#3- IF Arsenal were to win, they'd maintain a 5 point lead at
the top of the table and will be going into the international break
having beaten Spurs, Napoli, Liverpool, Dortmund, and United. In short,
they will officially be serious title contenders at that point.
#4- IF there is a draw, things will still kind of remain in the air.
United will continue their non-losing form and Arsenal will still be top
of the table no matter if they win,lose, or draw.
#5- IF United Win it may be the impetus they need to come back in old school United
fashion and correct the poor start to their season. Just as
significantly it may plant that SEED of Doubt in the Arsenal players
minds and they may begin to question themselves and crumble as they have
in the past.

I sincerely hope we can beat United at their home, a feat we've failed
to accomplish in recent seasons. But even more importantly, I think
whatever happens, we CANNOT LOSE. It will be a devastating blow to
whomever loses. I am not EXPECTING a win but I am hoping for it. I do
not underestimate united and neither do I overestimate my own team. I
just hope it's a fair match and that we do our very best. That is all I
ask.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

11-0 To Arsenal

Am I the only one who sees that before the matches today, United were only 3 points behind 2nd place. That's not a lot. Just saying.
Even if it is the case we lose, even though we're 11 points off, it's not improbable for us to win the league. We've been down by more in 11-12 to City BEFORE THE WINTER, but we still caught up, only to lose in goal-difference. I still don't think the international break coming up sets the tone for the season.
If we win, great! Then we'll clime up the table if it's the case city or tottenham loses. It just looks like we're really low because there's a lot of teams in the 20~23 point gap.
We are ALREADY on our road to making up for our poor start to the season. A win is what I am expecting and hoping for and this could be the turning point for our season.

I think a win is absolutely NECESSARY.

man_utd has a point. At the moment Man U are only behind by two wins and some change. Arsenal is also known to slip in the worst situations possible. The carling cup final vs. Birmingham, that 4-4 tie against Newcastle when they were up 4-0, etc. One slip-up by the gunners and the title race is wide open again.

Let's go GUNNERS!

A draw would be a good result for Arsenal, i just hope we dont see the remake of Man utd - Chelsea: 0-0, and see an open play game.

I think the pressure is on Man Utd tomorrow. We are full of confidence right now, and they have their back against the wall. I agree that this could be our defining moment as it could be a defining moment for united as well.

It's the perfect chance for us to exorcise our Old Trafford demons (I'm thinking about the 8-2) as we are playing our best football in years. Winning this game would boost our confidence even more, and we would come back from the break with a 5 points gap over second as definite title contenders. On the other hand, losses at Old Trafford have something traumatic about them, that makes them extremely hard to swallow. If we were to lose, there is a chance that the momentum and confidence we have been building since the villa game might crumble. Although I don't think it would happen as our side seems way more solid mentally than before, and we would still be top of the table.

For United, a win would show their fans that their bad start to the season was just an oddity (not certain about this word). They would narrow the gap and be only 5 points from the top. The trend United have had to dominate Arsenal these last few years would remain, and being better than the team at the top would give them confidence.
On the other hand, if they lose, they are 11 points behind the top, and their recent unbeaten run would end. The break would leave them no chance to bounce back until the end of november.

I would love a win tomorrow, it would be the sweetest win in a very very long time (I'm thinking the same kind of sweet as the 2-1 win over barcelona a few years back). But realistically it's still Man United and Old Trafford so I would still be happy with one point.

btw we should do threads like this about big games. The preview section is just like the comment section, it's impossible to have a conversation over there

@man_utd I agree that you wouldn't be out of the title race if you lose, but you wouldn't be taken as seriously as last season that's for sure.

@ikoiko I don't think a win is as crucial as you think. Our current side is much less prone to fuck ups. You could see against dortmund last night that our players can remain focused for 90 minutes and they simply don't want to give anything to the opposition (something we lacked in prior seasons)

Believe! We ll give 101% for this and we will win!!

@KingHenry, that 2-1 win against Barça was out of this world. I have faith in my gunners don't you worry. I just can't help but think back at those losses. But you're right, our squad has come a long way since then, tomorrow is a greater time than ever to prove it.

@mladen, I see your extra 1 and I raise you 10!

If there is no controversial decision by the ref i can see Arsenal getting away with a win. Perhaps 2-1 or 2-0. Arsenal are playing better than ManU after all.

@raimondo oh god don't tell me about it. A loss would be even more traumatizing if it were because of a dodgy penalty call in favor or united

I want Arsenal to win (because they're my favorite team in the EPL), but all I really want this match to be is f**king entertaining. LOL.

YES please yes make it entertaining. I trust our players for that. We have be spectacular at times this season.

We are no longer friends, Dynast.

Hahaha, yes Dynast!

United will come at us really aggressively. They wont make this easy.

2-1 either way. I cant call it.

I'd love for an Aaron Ramsey hatrick :D and even though Arsenal winning will increase the gap between them and us, I really want them to win so all those egotistical united fans will shut up.

1-1. It will be a cagey affair.

I'm most afraid of Young dives and getting penalty for United.

I hope I can find a good stream to watch this! I'm rooting for Arsenal, but I think it will be very close. maybe 1-2 or 2-3