In the short history of Deviations there have been three posts (counting this one) of Arsenal facing Man Utd, away or at home. The balance following the numbers of this blog is positive for the Manchester side and this match resulted more of the same with Utd crushing their opposition. Arsene's men showed no decorum nor even an ammount of talent against the current World Champions. What is striking yet normal is the fact that this was the first encounter between both legendary sides in Europe's elite competition now that the spree of current match between English sides is nearly mandatory at least for the last four years.
Next week is decisive for Arsenal's season, all can be saved next match at the Emirates, despite the outcome in late May. Last away post (against Utd) did not occur, but if you remeber well, dear reader, it was Mr. Hargraves who buried the remaining title hopes for the Londoners. Of course now in a different context and with the Canadian-born in a long spell but the distraction of Arsenal's defense commanded by the ex-Red Devil, who paid a little hand to his partners, it was Almunia who saved the night.
As if it were not enough misery, the transmission in ESPN's Latin America stream tagged off English SAP option. So due to the 5-second delay in the American channel I recurred to Televisa's 5, where Paco Villa, head of Televisa's Sports Internet site, narrated the first forty five minutes. The horrid commentaries by his fellow partners, Hugo Salcedo and Pietrasanta, were stressed by statistics: Utd has now the impressive quantity of twenty four matches unbeaten in European competitions. With this as a burden the Gunners went on and the fears of many Gooners as well as 1979 gooner became true: again 4-5-1.
Obviously the incompetence to see the failure of this tactical build-up has by Arsene has been the burden of the team. It is obvious, from over a year ago, that this system does not work and stupidly enough the best example was not that far: Chelsea at Wembley last week. I join supporters belief that this tactic is idiotic and that its usual deploy has not proved anything more than absolute failure.
With these awful and apocalyptical previews the match started in the same fashion: Almunia saved Rooney header in the second minute of game. More woe fell under Wenger's men with the following ten minutes when Utd tormented Arsenal in each arrival. Gibbs did not receive any help to cope with Ronaldo or Tevez. This was reflected on the home lead. O'Shea, unmarked, shot past Almunia in the far post. Following the goal Arsenal's demise to equalize was reflected on the general possession that put the Gunners number to 36. When the London side appeared to recover the ball, childish plays like Cesc shot at 28', reminded the lack of order in Arsenal's mind. Amid Londoners lack of defensive prowess it was Gibbs who kept Ronaldo far from the wing. The futile attempts by Wenger's side were not a threat to the Mancunians. Villa's comment epithomized the game: "Atrás Arsenal es un desastre." ["In the back Arsenal's a mess."]
The following period was a continuation of the torture that Utd held. The following fifteen minutes saw one of the poorest and childish Arsenal sides of all times. Utd simply battered towards the goal, and each time seemed that the lead could have extended by two or even three. The match equalized in possession at 65' but again Ferguson made a move that showed his will to win the game, unlike his counterppart who brought Bendtner in. The change was obliged since he is the striker who is fitter in the bench and indeed he was a disaster, having the leveller in his head with five minutes to go. The final minutes, again, were full of futile attempts towards Utd's goal. To add to the terrible and awful match by the Gunners Hugo Salcedo mistook Dennis Bergkamp name for 'David' twice. Peláez in his sole, yet obvious and obliged comment of the evening stated that what was Wenger thinking, regarding bringing on Eduardo for Adebayor. Believe me Peláez, and you too dear reader, I still do not know it even after a year of competition.
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