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Will United live to regret missed chances?
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Arsenal played poorly at Manchester United on Wednesday but escaped with a 1-0 defeat that leaves them still in with a chance of reaching the Champions League final.When you consider that they haven’t conceded a goal at home in the competition all season, the situation doesn’t look half bad. After all, they have already beaten United in north London this season and there is no reason why they can’t do it again.First though, their big performers need to turn up, because they went missing at Old Trafford. Theo Walcott barely got a kick, Emmanuel Adebayor was subdued and Cesc Fabregas was overwhelmed in midfield.It will also help if Robin van Persie is fit after missing the first leg. Without the Dutchman, and the ineligible Andrey Arshavin, they looked lightweight in attack.United were not at their best either and will be frustrated at not putting the tie to bed. However, they did not allow Arsenal an away goal and so will start clear favourites to reach Rome and a possible re-match with Chelsea.Remember, they were in far worse shape after drawing 2-2 at home with Porto in the quarter-final, first leg. And with such a plethora of attacking options, Alex Fergsuon’s side will be confident of breaching Arsenal’s Emirates fortress.PHOTO: Manchester United’s John O’Shea (C) celebrates with Darren Fletcher (L) and Rio Ferdinand (R) after scoring during their Champions League semi-final, first leg against Arsenal at Old Trafford, April 29, 2009. REUTERS/Nigel Roddis
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No, to answer your question. Man u just too strong at the moment. arsenal might give them a fright but they just don’t have enough goal in them.
Arsenal played poorly is a bit of a sweeping statement, only Adebayor and Diaby let Arsenal down. Fabregas didnt get overwhelmed in midfield he saw sooooooo much of the ball, not many teams go to Old Trafford and have that much possession he just didnt have anything in attack to help him and Evra and Rooney did a good job on Walcott keeping him quiet, Van Persie is the key, if he is fit, in the second leg
Arsenal will feel luck is on their side after they got away from OT with just a 1-0 deficit and have every chance of prevailing on home turf next week.IMHO – Wenger should put Fabregas back in to his preferred role as the central midfield ‘quarterback’ rather than in the more advanced semi-striker position he played in, to no great effect, at Old Trafford. If Van Persie is fit and the team is more balanced with Fabregas playing where he plays best this tie is far from over.
Arsenal got outta jail but you need a bit of luck to win the champions league. Think first goal at the emirates will be crucial. Whoever gets it will probably go on and win the tie. These ties are all about goals. Utd got one but could’nt build on the momentum. Utd also may be without Ferdinand and this could possibly swing the pendulum in Arsenal’s favour.Intriguing game ahead on Tuesday. Up for grabs as they say!
“When they’re playing in your town, get your self to that Football ground, take a lesson you will see, Football taught by Matt Bubsy! Oh Manchester, Manchester UNITED!”With that said, Arsenal doesn’t stand a chance @ the Emirates.
Rome, here we come. FC “Next Season” did well to concede just one at OT but they have no chance of overhauling the deficit.
Ilove the way man u played their game,they could even afford to catch a breather by slowing the game.
I do think it’s a bit early to award the tie to United, as some seem to be doing. Yes, they have a clear advantage but Arsenal have kept it really tight in Europe this season and a 1-0 or 2-0 win at the Emirates is not beyond them.
It’s not over yet, unfortunately. Most teams who win the first leg of the CL semi-finals do go on to the final (about 80%), but of the 4 teams which didn’t, one was Manchester United – they beat AC Milan 3-2 at home but lost 0-3 at the San Siro in the second leg in 2007.Arsenal have a fighting chance and they know it. United should have killed them off but they didn’t, and Arsenal may well punish them for their profligacy and wastefulness in front of goal.That said, the referees were quite poor as well, with two dubious offside calls and a pronounced inability to acknowledge blatant fouls. Hopefully they’ll be better in the second leg.
I sure hope United live to regret the missed chances. Talking about luck, Arsenal certainly is been unlucky with injuries to Gallas, Clichy, Roscisky and Van Persie.Image Man U without Ferdinand, they would be leaking goals like a sieve. Lucky Man U, if Arshavin was not cuptied, he would have caused them a few problems? Ugo.