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!
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