Finally a Man U Arsenal game that means something. That's not to say that the games in recent years haven't been meaningful, but the Champions League semi final is something special. I think the team has made great progress in the last 6 months but I am disappointed that we can't really judge their progress against the current benchmark in the Premiership because of crippling injuries.
It makes me laugh how the written media in this country keeps banging on about our lack of strength in depth when the reality is that no team this season has had to suffer the number of injuries to key players and still Arsenal have been the form team in the Premiership in 2009. It's not only the number of injuries but the length of injuries. Practically everyone in the first team has suffered some form of long term injury: Fabregas, Gallas, Adebayor, Walcott, Clichy, Diaby to name but a few.
Our big problem is going to be in defence. Kieron Gibbs didn't train yesterday, and it looks like Silvestre will be fit so the back line could look something like: Sagna, Toure, Djourou, Silvestre which is a unit that hasn't played together and looks very vulnerable.
I expect that because of this Wenger will include more protection than normal in the centre of midfield with two holding midfielders in the form of Denilson and Song with Fabregas just ahead of them and Nasri and Walcott on the flanks and Adebayor up front.
Is it good enough? Time will tell. The key to both legs will be how Arsenal defend. If they can defend well, we have a great chance. I worry that the full backs will get little or no protection from the wingers ahead of them and I can't see Silvestre, if he plays at left back, coping with Ronaldo.
Positives are that Man U look vulnerable, and a score draw is the best result Arsenal can hope for at Old Trafford. I fear the result will be worse so I optimistically predict 2-1 to Man U but I remember the last time we went to Old Trafford with a makeshift defence and got hammered.
It is such a shame that Gallas is injured. This is the sort of game he relishes. He has been arguably our most consistent player and he might have made the difference today. I think Arsenal need to keep the tie alive for the second leg and then we will have a chance. Man U will try and kill off the tie tonight.
On a separate note, am I the only one who thinks a 0-0 at the Nou Camp is a dangerous result for Chelsea? You just can't see Barcelona not scoring at Stamford Bridge. They will get more space as Chelsea will attack, so I am going to boldly predict an away victory in the second leg and Barcelona to face Arsenal in the final. With a bit of luck!
Wednesday 29 April 2009
Sunday 26 April 2009
Man U 5 Tottenham 2
Manchester United cemented their position as champions in waiting with an emphatic 5-2 victory over Tottenham after Liverpool and Chelsea both won.
What can you say about that game? My two most hated teams playing against each other and in the end all the headlines surround the penalty award. Firstly, I am sick and tired of being told by the FA who our top referees are. We can judge that for ourselves and why Howard Webb is being touted as the UK's best referee is beyond me. He gave Man U a handball decision against us at Old Trafford which gave Man U their equaliser which was so ball-to-hand it's painful. Not to mention the softest of free kicks to Evra for running as fast as possible to the edge of the area and then falling over. But that's another blog. The bottom line is, Howard Webb is an average referee at best.
Having said that, I have watched that penalty decision again and again, and is it just me, or is it clearly a penalty? There are a couple of angles that make it difficult to decide, but one angle shows Carrick taking the ball away from Gomes and being caught by the goalkeeper who makes no contact with the ball at all. Believe me, I am the last person to favour Man U, but I call it as I see it.
Having said all that, a dubious penalty does not excuse the complete and utter capitulation of the Tottenham team. Pathetic does not begin to describe it. Keystone cops defending and when Man United players weren't squeezing the ball in the net, Tottenham defenders were obligingly giving them a hand.
If I were a Liverpool or Chelsea fan I would be spitting blood at the way teams go to Old Trafford and then melt into oblivion. It's not as if Man U need any more help, they already get the generosity of the referees as well as home advantage, and a great team to field, they don't need the opposition falling apart in admiration as well! Ah well, what do you expect from Tottenham.
And to think, they were telling us not too long ago how they were going to break into the top four with their heady signings like Darren Bent and David Bentley. I never understood why Tottenham fans have been so hostile towards Levy and the board. They have given managers an unbelievable amount of money to spend, and look at them now. They should hang their heads in shame after their performance yesterday, and it is very smart of Redknapp to divert attention away from that, and onto the referee.
From the Arsenal point of view, we should be encouraged that it looks like you can go to Old Trafford and score. However, our defence isn't looking too clever. It's all about how many we concede....More on that game later.....
What can you say about that game? My two most hated teams playing against each other and in the end all the headlines surround the penalty award. Firstly, I am sick and tired of being told by the FA who our top referees are. We can judge that for ourselves and why Howard Webb is being touted as the UK's best referee is beyond me. He gave Man U a handball decision against us at Old Trafford which gave Man U their equaliser which was so ball-to-hand it's painful. Not to mention the softest of free kicks to Evra for running as fast as possible to the edge of the area and then falling over. But that's another blog. The bottom line is, Howard Webb is an average referee at best.
Having said that, I have watched that penalty decision again and again, and is it just me, or is it clearly a penalty? There are a couple of angles that make it difficult to decide, but one angle shows Carrick taking the ball away from Gomes and being caught by the goalkeeper who makes no contact with the ball at all. Believe me, I am the last person to favour Man U, but I call it as I see it.
Having said all that, a dubious penalty does not excuse the complete and utter capitulation of the Tottenham team. Pathetic does not begin to describe it. Keystone cops defending and when Man United players weren't squeezing the ball in the net, Tottenham defenders were obligingly giving them a hand.
If I were a Liverpool or Chelsea fan I would be spitting blood at the way teams go to Old Trafford and then melt into oblivion. It's not as if Man U need any more help, they already get the generosity of the referees as well as home advantage, and a great team to field, they don't need the opposition falling apart in admiration as well! Ah well, what do you expect from Tottenham.
And to think, they were telling us not too long ago how they were going to break into the top four with their heady signings like Darren Bent and David Bentley. I never understood why Tottenham fans have been so hostile towards Levy and the board. They have given managers an unbelievable amount of money to spend, and look at them now. They should hang their heads in shame after their performance yesterday, and it is very smart of Redknapp to divert attention away from that, and onto the referee.
From the Arsenal point of view, we should be encouraged that it looks like you can go to Old Trafford and score. However, our defence isn't looking too clever. It's all about how many we concede....More on that game later.....
Home against the Boro: team selection
Now the FA Cup horse has bolted, the harsh lessons of team selection will have been hopefully learned. I am still bewildered by Arsene's decision to leave Nasri, Arshavin and Song on the bench against Chelsea, but still, I'm confident he will rest key players today.
It is a no brainer. Man U on wednesday, Everton and Villa both dropped points yesterday, we should coast into the Champions League places. He does keep going on about getting third place which would mean automatic qualification into the Champions League, but I think that will be a bonus rather than a realistic expectation.
So, as for today, the one area sadly he cannot rest players is in defence. Djourou has resumed full training but I suspect he will at the least get a sub appearance, we can't afford to lose any more defenders before wednesday. He may well rest Sagna as well.
So I am guessing Fabianski, Gibbs, Silvestre, Toure, Sagna/Eboue
In midfield, I wouldn't be surprised in Fabregas, or Nasri and/or Theo are rested, Arshavin will definitely start. So dont be surprised to see Arshavin, Diaby/Denilson/Song/Ramsey even Vela and if not playing in defence, Eboue might start on the right wing.
Up front, you might see Eduardo and Bendtner but expect Adebayor to feature as a substitute at some stage.
I really hope Arsene doesn't risk some of the big names to guarantee victory in this game. A draw, whilst annoying, is perfectly acceptable in the grand scheme of things. We cannot leave Old Trafford with the tie being out of sight. It is imperative that we are still in the tie approaching the second leg at the Emirates. More on the Champions league game later.
My prediction for today's game: 2-1 Arsenal.
Enjoy the sunshine...
It is a no brainer. Man U on wednesday, Everton and Villa both dropped points yesterday, we should coast into the Champions League places. He does keep going on about getting third place which would mean automatic qualification into the Champions League, but I think that will be a bonus rather than a realistic expectation.
So, as for today, the one area sadly he cannot rest players is in defence. Djourou has resumed full training but I suspect he will at the least get a sub appearance, we can't afford to lose any more defenders before wednesday. He may well rest Sagna as well.
So I am guessing Fabianski, Gibbs, Silvestre, Toure, Sagna/Eboue
In midfield, I wouldn't be surprised in Fabregas, or Nasri and/or Theo are rested, Arshavin will definitely start. So dont be surprised to see Arshavin, Diaby/Denilson/Song/Ramsey even Vela and if not playing in defence, Eboue might start on the right wing.
Up front, you might see Eduardo and Bendtner but expect Adebayor to feature as a substitute at some stage.
I really hope Arsene doesn't risk some of the big names to guarantee victory in this game. A draw, whilst annoying, is perfectly acceptable in the grand scheme of things. We cannot leave Old Trafford with the tie being out of sight. It is imperative that we are still in the tie approaching the second leg at the Emirates. More on the Champions league game later.
My prediction for today's game: 2-1 Arsenal.
Enjoy the sunshine...
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