Man Utd triumph over indifferent Arsenal

May 5, 2009

Manchester United progress on to defend their Champions League crown at the expense of Arsenal following a 3-1 (4-1 agg.) victory at the Emirates Stadium.

The tie was poised for an explosive night between the rivals but seemed all but over after a relentless start by the Red Devils with goals in the 8th and 11th minutes for Ji-Sung Park and Cristiano Ronaldo respectively.

Arsenal started the first few minutes at a frantic pace, realising they had to take the game to United in order to overturn the one goal deficit from Old Trafford. However the opening dominance was rendered useless as the 18 year old Arsenal fullback Kieran Gibbs slipped while attempting to clear a low cross from Ronaldo, leaving an opening for Ji-Sung Park which the South Korean put past Manuel Almunia excellently.

The misery continued for the Gunners three minutes later as Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up and converted a free kick from approximately 40 yards out. A free kick that looking back on replays Arsenal stopper Almunia will realise he really should have saved.

With the crowd silenced United continued to pile on the pressure with an impressive curling effort from Wayne Rooney on 18 minutes being the highlight that prompted a testing save from Almunia. Arsenal had really seen to have lost their spark and it seems that the youthfulness of the side was beginning to show. The rest of the half played out rather uneventfully, with a Cesc Fabregas header being the only real Arsenal attempt on goal.

Following half time Arsenal were beginning to gradually mount increasing pressure on United, but the visitors were calm and solid, consistently and confidently dealing with a barrage of corners, free kicks and throw ins. But as the Gunners pushed further forward they left themselves open for a United counter, which gaffer Sir Alex Ferguson clearly planned for by playing darting winger Ronaldo in a striking role aiming to stretch the injury weakened Arsenal defence.

After an Arsenal corner, United cleared quickly with Ronaldo passing with a great flick on to Park who then found Rooney out wide on the left. Rooney, who was in deserts of space, linked back up with Ronaldo with a low squared cross which the 24 year old coolly placed over Almunia. This third goal prompted a mass exodus of home fans from the Emirates Stadium with a further 30 minutes of football still to be played. This abandonment by the home fans was a real shame for the spectacle of such a high profile European semi-final tie.

The main controversy however, happened on the 74th minute when Scot Darren Fletcher, who had been exceptional for United throughout the night, was sent off for a challenge on Cesc Fabregas. Replays showed that Fletcher just tipped the ball away from the Arsenal skipper but Italian referee Roberto Rosetti issued both the penalty and then the red card. This will mean Fletcher will not be available for selection for the Rome final and Uefa have no policies to hear appeals against the decision. After the incident though, Robin Van Persie stepped up to the penalty spot and fired a powerful left footer, high into the top corner.

The Gunners dream of European success under Arsene Wenger will have to wait another year, whereas United go on to try and become the first team to successfully defend the Champions League trophy.

Gregg Hobbs, FootballNewsBlog.co.uk

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