Arsenal vs. Manchester United Leg 2 Recap
After a 1-0 loss in Old Trafford, Arsenal was happy to be back home in London for the second leg of this Champions League semifinal against England’s best side in Manchester United.
The Gunners were able to slot Robin Van Persie back into the starting eleven to help solidify a much better attacking presence upfront, which was needed after a dismal performance in the first leg. But thanks to Arsenal’s keeper Manuel Almunia the Gunners were still right in contention going into the second leg as he was responsible for a handful of saves that could have buried Arsenal’s dreams of Roma.
Sir Alex Ferguson decided to field a much more passive lineup by keeping Berbatov and Tevez on the bench to start the match in favor of the scrappy Ji-Sung Park. Sir Alex must have had in mind that the Gunners were sure to play a completely different match style on their home pitch and this lineup would do a better job neutralizing their attack and scoring via the counterattack. Arsenal had to beware, as a lone goal from United would require three from the Gunners to advance, no easy task to say the least.
The action got under away in London with the crowd full of excitement and anticipation. The energy from the crowd gave Arsenal the bulk of the possession early on, until the 8th minute when United took advantage of a major slipup in the back from the Arsenal youngster Kieran Gibbs. Anderson slotted Ronaldo through in the area, where he preceded to slide a threat less ball across the box only for Gibbs to slip onto his backside missing an easy clearance. Park gathered the ball and easily chipped over Almunia for the opening strike. This was a devastating and costly error that will haunt Gibbs and clearly snowballed Arsenal’s conflict just minutes later.
In the 11th minute United basically applied the dagger to the Gunners final dreams as Ronaldo buzzed a spot kick from 30 yards out by the diving outstretched keeper. Almunia looked slow to react and read the balls trajectory, but this strike was yet another to add to Ronaldo’s highlight reel. This left Arsenal with the impossible mission of trying to score four unanswered goals from this point on in the match.
And in the 18th minute it almost got worse as Arsenal had been forced into attack and the Manchester United counterattack was working in full force as Rooney almost bent in an effort from just around the corner of the box forcing a tipping save from Almunia.
The rest of the first half consisted of no major chances or happenings besides the fact of frustrations continuing to boil from Arsenal. Whenever Arsenal was able to get in front of their oppositions net it was congested with United defenders and the space could not be found to create any real opportunities.
United went into the locker room with all the comfort in the world and could go on to worry about what substitutes to use to prevent any suspensions from the final.
The second half of the century was needed for Arsenal to have any hope for a Roma destination, but in the 52nd minute the half almost began in the opposite terms when Ronaldo easily rounded Djourou and blistered a left footed stinger to the near post where Almunia was able to show off some quick reflexes as he pawed it wide.
The 61st minute counterattack from Manchester United put an end to any slim hopes that Arsenal had for a historic comeback when Ronaldo sparked the counter with a clever back heal to Park, who proceeded to spring Rooney free on the opposite wing, who then calmly slid a perfect ball into the path of a racing Ronaldo who made no mistake in side footing a precise shot over Almunia and into the back of the net giving Manchester United a 3-0 lead.
The third strike was all the insurance Sir Alex needed as he felt free to use all three of his substitutions following Ronaldo’s second strike, taking off the two red devils on yellow card watch in Evra and Rooney.
The 75th minute presented United with an unexpected turn of events. A bouncing ball sent Fabregas in behind the Manchester United defense racing shoulder to shoulder with a physical Darren Fletcher who desperately gave a last ditch lunge barely getting a nick onto the ball while having his hand on the attackers shoulder giving a slight tug sending Fabregas down in the box. The referee quickly awarded Arsenal a penalty while also red carding Fletcher. The penalty was a necessary decision, but I must say the red card was harsh despite the fact that it comes with the territory of the decision. This obviously will prevent Darren Fletcher from participating in the final and is a devastating blow for United especially due to the comfortable lead that was in place. Robin Van Persie made no mistake in drilling home a perfect penalty in the upper right corner and setting the score line at 3-1 United.
Sir Alex was surely devastated by the decision and clearly frustrated that such an event had happened at this point of what was sure to be seen as a perfect United showing. Fletcher looked sickened as he paced off the pitch saddened to know that this was the end of his Champions League season.
Manchester United’s Champions League season will continue though as they are on to the Final after eliminating Arsenal with a 3-1 victory. The Red Devils did well to outplay Arsenal and take advantage of the opportunities that they were given. Yes, the Gibbs’ mistake was vital and Almunia should have done better on the free kick, but Arsenal barely showed life and the will to battle back was non-existent. It could have all been different if Arsenal prevented this early mistake, as they had the control early on, but that’s not how the action went.
Manchester United’s dominance in the midfield proved to be the x factor and the ability to counterattack the shaky Arsenal back line proved vital. Carrick and Fletcher did the dirty work and Ronaldo provided the flare in this comfortable 3-1 victory for United.
Arsenal’s attack was non-existent. Their big four of attackers were barely involved in play and could hardly produce a half chance throughout the match.
The better more deserving side is on to the Final, but congratulations to Arsenal for making a run to the semi finals with a side that many doubted could accomplish this much.
Player Ratings
Arsenal
Almunia- 5.0 Didn’t bring his golden gloves from the first leg. Was not at fault for the first goal, but I cant help but to expect better on the Ronaldo free kick goal.
Gibbs- 3.0 An atrocious early mistake in his own box that directly lead to not only a goal but basically the elimination of the Gunners. A deflating slip up that will shame the youngster for sometime. Subbed out at the half.
Djourou- 4.5 Wasn’t up to pace with his competition. Too easily beaten when faced with one on one confrontations.
Toure- 5.5 Solid match in the back breaking up a few dangerous balls.
Sagna- 5.5 Lively in the back and brought a punch up the wing sending in numerous balls.
Song- 5.0 Was outplayed and overmatched in the midfield again. Showed some signs of survival in the early going, but eventually was overwhelmed.
Nasri- 6.0 Was the lone Gunner that looked to have the hunger to win and leave his imprint on the match. Forced Arsenal into the attack dribbling through the midfield and spreading the ball to his teammates. Faded in the 2nd half.
Fabregas- 4.5 Failed to live up to expectations once again, but could be thanked by tomorrow’s semi final winner for the suspension of Darren Fletcher.
Van Persie- 5.0 Clearly wasn’t in form, as he in no way was involved in the match until it was out of hand. Nice one touch ball to slip Fabregas in and did well to smash home a perfect penalty though to break up the shutout.
Walcott- 4.0 Once again couldn’t use his speed to breakthrough the United defence. Evra had him shackled up for basically the entirety his stay on the pitch.
Adebayor- 4.0 Another non-existent attacker from Arsenal. Couldn’t create any threats and looked lifeless on the pitch.
Substitutes-
Eboue- 5.5
Bendtner- 5.0
Vela-
Manchester United
Van der Sar- 5.5 Hardly threatened by his opponents, beaten on the penalty.
Evra- 7.0 Did extremely well to cancel out the speedy Walcott. Was subbed out to secure no suspension for the Final.
Vidic- 6.5 Solid composed performance from the centerback. Was never at ease and never shows signs of nerves when clearing balls from his defensive area.
Ferdinand- 7.0 Completely locked down Adebayor. Was always the winner of every ball sent his way in the air. Sharp physical performance.
O’Shea- 5.5 Played his role in defence, but was hardly ever challenged or seen throughout the match.
Anderson- 6.0 Worked hard and did all the simple things throughout his time on the pitch.
Carrick- 7.0 Sharp performance in the midfield. Dominated Song throughout and was sharp in his link up passes.
Fletcher- 6.5 Did well and worked hard his entire time on the pitch, but was red carded after a dangerous desperate challenge in the area as the last defender.
Park- 7.0 Was on the spot to capitalize on Gibbs’ horrific error. Did well to keep his composure to chip Almunia for the goal. Gave maximum effort as usual and linked up well with his fellow attackers.
Ronaldo- 8.0 His ball across the area led to the Gibbs mistake and the first goal. And another stinging free kick found the back of the net to beat Almunia and all but eliminate the Gunners early in the first half. Started the counterattack with a splendid back heal and finished it with an accurate finish. 2 goals and numerous scares forcing a handful of saves out of Almunia. Clearly the Man of the Match.
Rooney- 6.0 Was average all match until his great run and perfect ball to Ronaldo in the counterattack to secure Manchester’s route to the final. Was subbed twenty minutes into the second half to secure his place in the Final.
Substitutes-
Giggs- 5.5
Rafael- 5.0
Berbatov- 6.0
[...] Original post by pete1020 [...]
Arsenal vs. Manchester United Leg 2 Recap said this on May 5, 2009 at 10:13 pm |
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