Arsenal v. Man Utd 1-3 31/Jan/09

Almunia, apparently a Man Utd fan.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet]


When a vengeful, full of hatred response from Wenger's team was expected today at the Emirates, the matter ended again in a sort of cameo of the last three matches sustained against the Red Devils: a powerful demonstration of which team is better equipped to challenge the title. According to the French manager some "massive individual errors" were made throughout the ninety minutes. If we think of responsibles it would be easy to pick a few (Almunia, Clichy and Denilson) but the problem extends to the point of a whole team.
Almunia's mistake prevented the upperhand in what was already a pretty fair and tough contest. The fact that no real attacking threat was shown highlights the importance of a top class striker and also, a top class goalkeeper. Even if Wenger keeps showing endless faith in the sloppy hands of the Spaniard, behind him are two young keepers that are far from being the best candidates to replace him.
Next match for the Londoners is another test of character against rivals and leaders Chelsea. As of today, the mistake seems an unsurmountable task, and another crash at Stamford Bridge should end each and every chance of local silverware next May. With one competition left - the least likely to win - the Gunners' focus should remain in strengthening the squad after the World Cup. Next season remains a coherent date for setting sights in a tournament of any kind. Again speculating, the title chance is still on and with some points dropped by the two leaders the interesting part of the tournament could approach faster than we expect.



Opposite angle, same misery.
[Photo: Tom Jenkins via Guardian]


The beginning of the match was tense: in fifteen minutes the Russian international made two approaches for the Gunners; Song saved from the line one effort by Rooney. Even when the Gunners staged both Vermaelen and Song, the actual feeling that the team would concur into the same defensive quarrels was showing with each minute passing. The Mancunian team made several mistakes of simple passing due to the tense and tough atmosphere. Cesc marshaled several counterattacks which all lead to nothing due to the marvelous intervention of the visitors centre-back.
Just when the Devils were at their worst, another defensive misjudgement arrived; Nani provided a magnificent run to escape from Nasri and Clichy in the right wing, to later cross. What followed is really in the realm of non-sense when Almunia palmed in the Portuguese's effort into its own goal. Minutes later another goal came, when Rooney finished a Ronaldo-esque job in front of Almunia. The similarity with the Ronaldo goal in last May was scary, although scarier is the defending and most probably, the way in which the Gunners failed again to provide some cover.



The South Korean scores in front of the Gunners again.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet]


If there was thin ray of hope in the supporters and players in the pitch, a quick assertive reaction should come as lighting. The Arsenal illusions for contention were fading away with the passing of the minutes, as the home team could not reach solid possession. The offensive-less Arsenal went on with the game posed by the Mancunians to find themselves in another trap as Park Ji Sung scored with an accurate finish. With ten minutes already into the present half, the matters were not as bright as wished.
The prospect of a comeback was hard to follow but the audience at the Grove were keen on their team to battle through. Cesc provided several chances, particularly from long range, and Song from close. The spirit of the Spaniard to go for the equalisers was unbequeathed; the skill to break the deadlock was not strong enough against a team that challenged far too beyond their lines.
After the risky substitutions, there was the feeling that with ten minutes remaining the Londoners could nail a swift move in order to put the Red Devils against the wall. Vermaelen did it, when the pressure was piling against van der Saar's goal, with a low volley that encountered Evans' leg. With this eventual outcome, the Gunners went on with all their little strength although there was pure intention and no real threat.