By Myles Palmer
The Sun says Adams has a knee injury and Bergkamp has been rested.
Arsenal will miss Tony’s leadership and Dennis’s vision.
But Keown is a rugged stopper whose vast experience will help to stop Giggs – and crosses from Giggs, perhaps.
Many Gooners regard Kanu as a circus act these days. So their hearts will sink at today’s team news.Kanu has only scored four goals and many fans wish he had been sold last summer.
Will the Nigerian be inspired to produce a bit of magic in the Theatre of Dreams?
Flick a five-yard pass into Freddie’s run? He does that well, but Kanu needs players making runs close to him.
Interestingly, Roy Keane has given another of his abrasive where’s-your-pride? interviews.
It’s the usual stuff from Roy: We’ve got to look at ourselves, performances haven’t been good enough, it’s time to stand up and be counted, etc etc.
He said, “We shouldn’t have to demand it from the players, they should be proud to play for Manchester United and give 100%.
“We’re not asking the players to perform miracles, we’re
asking them to do what they should be doing.
“When they don’t do that it’s bloody frustrating. We’re going to find it hard to win the league now, and if we end up with no trophies there’s something wrong.”
I was optimistic last night, less so today.
Because United could now do what Chelsea did on Saturday. Push up and play the game in Arsenal’s half, knowing that Arsenal lack the pace of Henry, the craft of Pires and Bergkamp.They can catch Wiltord offside again and again.
If Freddie Ljungberg goes through on his own again, Barthez will tackle him outside the box.
Suddenly, I’m not in the mood for this game.I don’t think Arsenal can win without a big game from Vieira and he looks unlikely to play a big game.
Last night I thought Arsenal were the irresistible force and United were the immovable object.The upcoming contest had a kind of drama.
But this morning I’m steeling myself for 90 minutes of frustration
I’ve been optimistic so many times, so I hate to admit this : my bottle has gone.
But maybe I will get it back at 8 p.m. tonight.
8th May 2002.