Arsenal 2 - 1 Manchester United
0 - 1 Rooney (53)
1 - 1 van Persie (83)
2 - 1 Henry (90)
It is true; the later the winner, the more of a choker for the opposition. When they happen to be the League Leaders, it feels better. When they are Manchester United, it feels ten times better than that. A good win following not the best performance of the season in terms of fluid football; on days like these though the former is more important than the latter. Arsenal’s excellent record against the “bigger clubs” continues with another victory over Manchester United, their second of the season and their first “double” in, I think, six years. It is a win that has increased the pressure on Chelsea, for second place is now only six points away with their visit to The Emirates still to take place.
The match itself was tight; either side could have won it. United started the first half the better, their passing more cohesive but as the half wore on Arsenal enjoyed more possession. There were few clear chances in the opening half hour, Henry should have scored but headed directly at van der Sar. Le Captain was denied what to me looked like a clear penalty; Neville failed to get any of the ball and Henry went down. No penalty, so the Referee must believe Neville got some of the ball or Henry would have been booked for diving. With Arsenal in the ascendancy, and looking the better team as the half closed, United upped a gear and Rooney and Larsson brought good saves from Lehmann. The second period started the same as the first, United the better team except this time they made that dominance pay. Evra ran from inside his own half in support and received the ball on the United left, his cross appeared to deflect off of Toure and Rooney finished with a stooping header.
Rosicky and Adebayor had opportunities to equalise but it appeared to be heading for the first home defeat when a manic final ten minutes ensued. Rosicky crossed to thefar post and van Persie stole in behind Neville to level with what is now known to be a high price; he will be out for several weeks with a broken foot (metatarsall’s once again coming to the fore). The phrase, No Pain, No Gain, is the short term view but it should mean more first team action for Baptista and Walcott in the meantime, RvP’s goals will be missed.
Which should have set up a quiet last seven or so minutes. But it did not; credit to the team, they were not settling for a point and three minutes into stoppage time, Eboue sent in a cross from the right, Henry rose to head home emphatically which resulted in a loss of voice for yours truly and one pair of misshapen specs in the ensuing melee. Worth it? Absolutely. Another three points gained which relied on character and the will to win, as opposed to steamrollering the opposition.
That Arsenal went for the win is as much borne by confidence as it was desire. A winning run does wonders for the former and re-awakens the latter. Henry won Man of the Match probably for his late effort. Personally, I would have given it Fabregas; the expectations placed on his shoulders never faze him; he appears calm all of the time and the range of his passing is unbelievable. I suspect Paul Scholes probably wishes he could be Fabregas as much as the latter wants to be Scholes.
Adebayor is another who deserves singling out for praise. His first ninety minutes since returning from injury could not have been harder for him, the quality of the opposition saw to that yet his workrate was selfless. Flamini worked hard to make up for the absence of Gilberto. He is a busier player than the Brazilian - perhaps, not yet able to see the danger as early as Gilberto? - and his coverage of the pitch enabled Fabregas to have time. Clichy dealt with Ronaldo well as did Eboue (that boy needs to seriously stop the theatrics although I am sure Rooney appreciated his advice on the matter). The defence as a whole did well despite some nervy moments with Jens still not able to command his area as he once did. But as a shotstopper, the German has few peers at this level.
A welcome three points that makes second place attainable, especially if Chelsea continue their implosion. It will set the club up nicely for Wednesday’s clash with Tottenham, as we wait to find out how long RvP will be out for.
Posted in Arsenal, Football, Premiership, Soccer
