Two weeks ago Arsene Wengers side had the chance of winning the quadruple. Now, after defeats to Birmingham City, Barcelona and now Manchester United all Arsene Wengers team have to fight for is the Official Premier League title.
It all looked to rosy for the Gunners a couple of weeks backj, playing there famous attractive football they were brushing teams aside at ease but since the Carling Cup Final its all gone a bit, well, wrong really.
The defensive mix-up between Koscielny and Szcz ... Sx.... the keeper cost them their first cup of the season and they were outclassed by a much superior Barcelona who I feel would've knocked Arsenal out even if RVP hadn't been sent off but I felt they could beat a Manchester United side that fielded SEVEN defenders.
The beginning of the match would've given Arsenal fans a lot of hope playing some decent football but it was United that opened the scoring. Arsenal pushed forward but United won the ball and hit the Gunners on the counter attack. A lovely floated ball from Rooney found Hernandez who's header was parried by the returning Almunia but the ball only went as far as Fabio, or was it Raphael, no definately Fabio who slid in and put the ball into the roof of the net.
Arsenal were still attacking and if it weren't for the heroics of veteran goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar maybe the score line would've been different but at half time United were leading 1-0.
The second half couldn't have started better for United. Antonio Valencia made his return after a long absense recovering from a broken leg. Again it was an Arsenal attack that led to United extedning their lead. Koscielny twice denied by the outstanding van der Sar was out of position and as United attacked Hernandez shot was again blocked but Wayne Rooney, who is getting back to his best, was there to nod home.
From here I felt the game was over.
With Arsenal trying to get back into the game they left spaces at the back and United tried to get the third. They almost did with eight minutes remianing, Hernandez shot was blocked by a combination of Sagna and Djourou. Djourou stayed on the floor for over five minutes where he recieved oxygen and was stretchered off. Later it was discovered the defenders season was over suffering a dislocated shoulder.
Wenger had used up his three substitutes so Arsenal for the second game running finished with 10 men. Now the game was over.
Verdict on the game: Very entertaining. I can see why Ferguson wants Van der Sar to stay for another season at United. Even though he is now 40 he showed today he is still the best keeper in the Premier League, maybe even Europe.
United head into the semi-finals, where they were joined today by Bolton Wanderers, looking forward to maybe another treble while Arsenal can concentrate on their Premier League ambitions (as well as keeping the more important unofficial title!!)
United fans, do you think you can repeat the feat of 1999, and Arsenal fans, do you think Wenger will get that ellusive trophy or will it be another year of what if's and maybe, let me know by emailing us at jaymoe26@gmail.com or twitter #jamiemason76
Line Ups:
Manchester United: 01-Van der Sar, 03-Evra, 06-Brown, 10-Rooney, 12-Smalling, 14-Hernandez, 15-Vidic, 20-Fabio Da Silva, 21-Rafael Da Silva, 22-O'Shea, 28-Gibson SUBS USED: 11-Giggs, 18-Scholes, 25-Valencia
Arsenal: 01-Almunia, 02-Diaby, 03-Sagna, 06-Koscielny, 08-Nasri, 10-Van Persie, 15-Denilson, 19-Wilshere, 20-Djourou, 23-Arshavin, 28-Gibbs SUBS USED: 07-Rosicky, 16-Ramsey, 29-Chamakh
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