By Ian Grant
Arsenal 0 Manchester United 0
Forget Chelsea. They are as Peter Kenyon says, in a league of their own – an unethical and unsporting league.
This was about the unofficial title, between real footballing sides with rich historical traditions and the eleven point gap to second place. Liverpool and now
Tottenham can be included in that league.
“UEFA Cup – you’re ‘avin a larf,” sang the United fans. “Champions League you’re ‘avin a larf,” was the retort. There was a mutual respect between players and fans, not there when Chelsea played.
Although Arsenal needed to win it more than Man U, Wenger fielded a five man midfield, the same formation as the Cup Final – with Reyes, Hleb, Pires, Fabregas and Gilberto. He said he put a lot of offensive players out and needed to strengthen the midfield physically. Fabregas and Hleb were the ones to come forward in the inside channels and make it 4-3-3 on the counter, with Reyes and Pires on the left and right, giving width. Gilberto played a classic holding role, in front of the defence, and also to track Rooney.
Arsenal missed the injured Van Persie’s directness and it was a night set up for one little piece of magic to change the game – which he is capable of. Scholes and Smith were out for United, with O’Shea and Fletcher in their place. But nevertheless Man U’s side cost nearly twice as much as Arsenal’s [or £40m more]. [Chelsea’s was six times more.]
It was a wet surface which needed instant first time control.
The early sparring – indeed the first half belonged to Arsenal, who had the majority of possession. Fabregas sent a good through ball, but Pires bottled out of the tackle.
Neville clipped Reyes, bringing back memories of the ‘buffet’ game.
Pires nearly found Hleb but he missed a difficult first time shot.
Reyes nutmegged Neville, and from the free kick, Fletcher headed straight to Fabregas who bent his half-volley just wide.
Fabregas then set up Pires who opted for the near post not to fire across Van der Saar with Henry in waiting. Strangely, it was only one of two shots on target in the half.
On 30 Henry sent a free kick two foot wide.
Cygan threw the ball directly across back four and then sent a blind pass putting his colleagues in trouble, but overall, defensively he was quite sound.
Several times there were sixteen players inside the width of the six yard box in United’s area – and as in previous games – it was too narrow and intricate to fashion a clear-cut chance.
Lauren fouled Ronaldo and was booked.
On 44 minutes, United had the first real chance when Van Nistelroy found space and fired a fierce shot which Lehmann parried. Ronaldo opened his body and should have scored but blasted over.
United upped the pace in the second half. However Toure ran forward making something happen – resulting in Henry firing a volley goalward with Ferdinand blocking. A good pass by Hleb, was not read by Henry.
Ronaldo sent a long diagonal ball to Giggs who blasted over.
Cygan had a chance from a free kick but headed in the wrong direction. The ball fell to Gilberto who swivelled but it was blocked by Brown.
Neville sent a dangerous through ball and caught Toure and Campbell out of sync. Van Nistelroy was clear, onside but the Dutchman blasted over.
Reyes sent a ball to Henry who put it inside the area to Pires, but van der Saar saved.
Now Campbell ran forward, Henry back-heeled and Neville bundled Fabregas over in the area from behind. A 50/50 claim, but Poll was unsighted by Fletcher.
On 69, Van Nistelroy should have scored from a corner knock-down, but Hleb saved a goal.
Bergkamp replaced Hleb and later Flamini for Fabregas.
Man U took control in the latter stages, going for a winner. Lehmann sent three wayward kicks to his left. Ronaldo and Neville fired dangerous crosses from the right.
Rooney sent a diagonal ball to Neville who fired wide into the netting.
Reyes sent a free kick into the wall.
Brown had a towering goal-bound header in injury time, but Eboue, on for Reyes, cleared off the line.
Man U were the more direct and fashioned more clear-cut chances – which may have been taken but for mental and physical fatigue.
Arsenal had more possession which earned half chances here and there.
Alex Ferguson said: “The players have had 4 games in 8 days and both sets of players showed great quality of human resources. We had best chances. They had more possession. A draw was a fair result.”
He added: “No one can match Chelsea at the moment.” [Except Richard Caborn and the Leipzeg Group of FIFA, UEFA and European sports ministers, of course].
Arsene Wenger said: “We wanted to win. The game was a high pace. Both teams wanted to counter attack. We created a few chances. I thought it was a penalty on Fabregas. I think we can still improve, but we lost the ball where we didn’t want to lose it.”
Arsenal now face a battle for 4th, 5th or 6th – Champions League, EUFA Cup, or maybe no European football for the first year at Ashburton Grove at all.