Morning:
14°c
Arsenal down, but definitely not out
Tom Collomosse at Old Trafford30.04.09
Cesc Fabregas has insisted Arsenal's home advantage at Emirates Stadium will carry them through to the Champions League Final.
The Gunners will have to overturn a 1-0 semi-final, first-leg deficit against Manchester United next Tuesday if they are to reach the Rome showpiece but will be heartened by the fact that the reigning champions have failed to win at their new ground.
In three visits since the switch from Highbury, Sir Alex Ferguson's team have managed to earn only a point and have been beaten there twice.
United had enough chances to bury Arsene Wenger's team last night, but their 1-0 win — achieved thanks to John O'Shea's early strike — means the semi-final is wide open going into the second leg.
To add to the home side's frustration, skipper Rio Ferdinand was taken to hospital last night for x-rays on a rib injury, and could be a doubt for the return match.
The Gunners beat United 2-1 in the Premier League in November, and although the same result would send the reigning champions through on away goals, skipper Fabregas is confident that Arsenal can progress in front of their own passionate support at Emirates Stadium.
The Spain midfielder said: “How much stronger are we at home? We showed that in the League, by beating them and scoring two goals.
“Let's think about the League, and the tie is still open. You look at the 1-0 scoreline, and we have seen worse things than that in the Champions League. Man United deserved to win, but now it is up to us to play well at The Emirates and beat them.
“We have to be more clinical in front of goal – that's for sure. We passed the ball a lot and combined very well, but we were not clinical enough. That is what we have to improve.”
Goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, who impressed with a string of saves, echoed his captain's upbeat assessment. He said: “If we can keep the ball, we can beat them. One-nil at Old Trafford is not that bad a result because there are not that many teams who play here and go away with a clean sheet.
“We have to be more or less happy and look forward to the second leg at The Emirates.”
Reader views (17)
As an arsenal fan I hate to see my team capitulate on the field.
They have lost the ability to challange and fight for the ball. Arsenal players with the exception of Denilson, Nasri,Van Persi and Gallas stand and back even walk away from an opponent just feet away with the ball!
They need a leader of men and a motivator - Give the armband back to Gallas or even Arshavin and drop Fabregas. Walking around the pitch acting as a conduit for a series of passes looks great, but little else.
Arsenal used to own the midfield now they dont even look like they want to be there.
Arsenal are like a car running on three cylinders, capable of 200 MPH but just tick over at 30! They can sweep all before them if only they played with more tenacity. Arshavin and Gibbs; the finds of the season!
I hate man united with a psssion, but grudgingly have to admire their desire to win every game.
Arsene - take heed, don't be complacent.
Arsenal - start playing like you WANT to win!
- Elche, elche Spain
ManU will prevail against Arsenal with 2-1 second leg at the Emirates. I dont want to be verbose, thats it.
-Paul Rengen, Uganda
- Paul Rengen, kampala Uganda
As a United fan, there's no way I think Arsenal are out of it, far from it. The had an off day but they are different kettle of fish at home. How we didn't finish them off at Old Trafford is beyond me, but thats been our problem this year. I'm looking forward nervously to next tuesday, it should be a cracker.
- James Hennessy, london england
Love Theo Walcott - but what a plonker last night! Does he want the ball or not? Crikey Moses! I've never seen such an inept pansy-ish, pussy-footing display by the gunners! - All one touch, two-inch slide rule passing getting nowhere! Drove me round the bend(tner)! So ineffectual I turned it off with ten minutes to go and watched Little Dorrit!
- James Murphy, Petersfield
Well here we are again, Wrong Formation. Hopefuly Walcott had a good chat with the fans because he didnt do anything else. Hugging the white line is not going to win games at this level.
SELL: Bendtner,Adebayor,Gallis,Silvestre.Eboue.
BUY: 2 X Centre back, 1 x holding midfielder. 1 x forward
all need to be of class. as we need them now and not in 2 years time. A.W. If you want a project buy Weater from Middlesbrough. He will be a force in 12 months or so in the right team.
- Rgj Durch, GERMANY
THE arsenal supporters are very negative check how much the MANUTD SQUAD COST IN COMPARISON TO ARSENALS 100MILLIONK MORE
- J Windsor, LONDON ENGLAND
I am sorry - but I have no slightest doubt that Wenger himself is the cause of failure at Arsenal - believe it or not.
His decisions in important games (especially with top English clubs) have been consistently very poor. Talk of the formation, not playing players at their right position, not knowing when to replace a player who is not performing ... are all there for us to see.
And that, obviously, can create a lot of doubt in the mind of the players (especially if those players are not yet established & experienced players).
Wenger has proven that he is either too cautious or simply too hesitant and that really very bad for a coach.
I remember him replacing Flamini and Reyes, who both had played so well prior to the UEFA final (in 2006), with Ashley Cole and Pires. Even the all impressive Senderos (in that run - I mean) got relegated to the bench.
Or speak about the FA Semi against Chelsea? No - Wenger is becoming a liability at least to the fans.
- Tim, London
I wonder if Wenger has employed the same "rope-a-dope" tactics as he did in the cup final where United were all over them but still managed to loose.
Man Utd were the stronger and dominant team last night. BUT, will they fret over the missed chances to put this tie out of reach?
The Emiorates is a different proposition. Arsenal are at home now and I suspect they will edge it, possibly going to penalties. We all know the angst SAF and his team will be going through. They have an excellent goalie in van der Saar,but will he match up to Alumina?
We will wait and see.
- Nev, Washington UK
How can Wenger make the same mistake twice with Diaby ? He played him in the FA Cup semi final at the expense of Arshavin, which possibly cost Aresenal the game. Last night he played wide left to presumably give Gibbs some cover. Diaby just gives the ball away and gets caught in posession too often to be relied on in a big game. Arsene loves banging on about mental strength but it seems that in the big games he doesn't have the mental strength himeself and goes into them too cautiously. Possibly this will cost us at the end of the season. He must now sell Adebayor who now looks like a one season wonder !
- Mike Perry, Dartford
Adebayor thinks he something he's not. We should sell him ASAP. i think he brings the team down with his negativity, plus his touch is shocking, we must play 4-4-2 on tuesady night with fab in the middle
- Nick, reading
I am sorry but Wenger has again played the wrong formation. The same as when they lost to Chelsea.
Wenger should have played the same team as when they drew with Liverpool and replacing only Arshavin with Edwardo.
I hope that finally Wenger will admit that we don't have a good central defender and it is a MUST BUY for next season.
Wenger should have replaced Adebayor at half time.
A.Messina
- A.Messina, Malta
Was theo walclott playing last night?? ALL THE HYPE,NO PRODUCT,he didnt even go hunting for the ball,as for adebayor,one great goal and then he becomes totally pointless,although Gibbs and Almunia were superb,Utd will defo score at the library as the Arsenal defence is nowhere near as strong as the Utd backline...the away goal could be king,
- Tom, uxbridge
United were superb last night & unfortunately Wenger played the same odd formation that he put out against Chelsea in the F A Cup semi. With Man Utd having a tough away fixture against relegation threatened Middlesboro, while Arsenal can rest a few players for their match against Portsmouth. Taking into account Ferdinand's possible rib injury & Uniteds poor record at the emirates, if Wenger gets his selection & tactics spot on, there is every possibility we c an progress to the final. Team should be set out in a 4-4-2 formation, as follows: Almunia, defence: Sagna, Toure, Sylvestre & Clichy (if fit), Midfield: Walcott, Fabregas, Song & Nasri, with Adebayor & Eduardo up front. Bentner & Abu Diaby could bring some drive to the team from the bench if necessary.
- Rob Gooner, North London
United might not have won at the Emirates, however they have scored in each of the three games they have played there. If Arsenal want to get through, they will have to score at least 3 goals and I can't see that happening.
- Lorraine, Oxford
Arsenal looked tired and jaded last night,we were lucky we only conceded one goal,Almunia made three great stops tha kept us in the game,all in all the result of 1-0 is not a bad result and Arsenal are still in this semi,the game at the Emirates will see a much fresher team,and i think Arsenal wiil suprise Man Utd.I agree that Adebayor was poor and needs to liven his self up,but remember on his day he can be a matchwinner.Theo Walcott was also missing and needs to get hiself in the game more,we missed Arshavin last night and it is a shame he cannot play in the semis.
- Jim Ex Pat, London N.1, thailand
The gooners should have been put too bed,but for Almunia being in top form..i cannot see Utd failing to score though,the Utd defence is stronger than the Gooners`..Also ive heard a lot of disgruntled fans going on bout Adebayor,this guy is all talk and no action..80,000 a wk for a guy with the strength of a pixie at holding the ball and looking dis-interested most of the time..Gibbs was superb at keeping the stroppy Ronaldo in his pocket,he and the keeper were the only stars who showed up last night,but deep down i think Utd will get the away goal and the goons will need 3..maybe a tall order,but at least one of these true FOOTBALLING sides will be in the final.its a pity they met in the semi.
- Phil, HERTS
To say that Almunia was Arsenal's best player is a reflection on their performance. All the hard work from the midfield players was wasted as Adebayor was not playing for Arsenal last night. He clearly has sights elsewhere and needs to be allowed to go. He is not worthy of the shirt he wears.
- Spanish Gooner, Pego,Spain
