From the stands, receiving the abuse from Manchester supporters.
[Photo: Soccernet]
Without Arsenal's talismanic captain Cesc Fabregas, the Gunners lost today at Old Trafford due to a set of defensive mistakes, to call it in the best and less harmful way. Obviously the uncalled penalty kick and the moronic amount of bookings among many flaws by the three referees were among the points in which the Gunners were completely edged out . If by some means this match could be considered as a revenge for last year's events, certainly this episode leaves bitter taste in the mouths of many Gooners. After this fall, many question the validity of the visitors title credentials, after such a difficult proof it seems likeliest that with the following matches could prove this point wrong.
[Photo: Soccernet]
After the ludicrous and hopeful midweek win at the Grove and the strange, yet restful draw, the waters seem relatively calm for today's clash. Even though midweek chat was vigorous with Champions League previews, reviews and Group draw, the United match still had the expectation required of such a high stature game. The problem is that the previous encounters, all three left but a horrible deficit for the north Londoners. In pursuit of the League among many other pieces of silverware it appears that this clash has come when both teams are still accommodating in the beginnings of the league.
[Photo: Soccernet]
Unfortunately for many people (or at least one single soul in a 120 million country) Sky Sports Mexico decided to broadcast the live match, and English commentaries of Liverpool's match instead of Arsenal's. That meant, that I had again to sallow the dismal comments of Juan Carlos Gabriel de Anda.
Moving to fairly more important topics the Gunners shared a fair amount of possession with the Devils, as the ten-minute mark passed. A couple of shots were exchanged form each side while Arsenal played yet again a sharp display without the ball. With the pressure piling on the Devils' shoulders, Arshavin nearly scored as a series of rebounds went in to the box.
The performance from the Ivory Coast international Eboue was far from being outstanding as previous matches. The one that standed out was Abou Diaby: his physical presence as well as his tackles and the display shown, practically from box-to-box, were among the best in Arsenal's game.
After a great deal of struggle and battle, the lead came from another stunner by the Russian wizard. A thunderous half-volley reached Foster, who without a chance, saved to put the ball in the back of the net. Aside from the fact that Mike Dean skipped the hideous decision to grant Arsenal an obvious penalty the final minutes were yet again a medieval siege form the home team.
Wicked?
[Photo: Reuters through Straits Times]
Certainly for neutrals, the match could not have gone better and before the horrid decision of Dean in the 54th minute, Arsenal showed a great deal of outstanding plays and Foster became a hero, saving twice clear chances. In the afore mentioned minute Dean committed the hideous error and gave Utd a penalty. Whether it was a dive or not, the kick from the spot was converted and Rooney levelled things.
Still Arsenal led the way by the time that Ferguson's men got their second goal after the in-form Diaby headed in the opposite side of the pitch. If the morale was low at the time of Man Utd's lead, now it seemed an unsurmountable task. Even though the Gunners made fiercest attempts to regain the lead the match was already defined.
The final moments saw a few introductions and Ramsey could have not made an impact as any other of the substitutes that were brought in. The circus began when an offside goal was disallowed and then, Dean's show began as he sent off Wenger, who was receiving all kinds of flak from the stands. Maybe the two-week break could settle things down, as we all hope for.
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