Half a Game Not Better Than None

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By Boris Mellor
February 5 2005

Arsenal played a brilliant first half, and after seven minutes a subtle Vieira header, from a well taken Henry corner, put them in the lead. Although the rapid conceding of an equaliser, after a poor clearance by Campbell, for Man U did not bode well.

Pires most certainly should have had a penalty in the first half, and the action replay on MOTD confirms it. Man U got desperate with nasty tackles and Poll bottled sending off the obnoxious Rooney. For a while it looked like Man U were losing it.

On another occasion Man U players chased Poll around the pitch, and no doubt the noble Sir Alex will be having words with them.

However Bergkamp scored a brilliant goal, from a well weighted Henry pass, ten minutes before half time, to restore the lead.That proved to be as good as it got. Man U composed themselves in the second half and started to use long balls effectively on the wings. Arsenal proceeded to self-destruct as the defence provided Man U with a second equaliser. Four minutes later they presented Man U with the lead. Again and again slack defending, poor passing and goalkeeping gave it to Man U on a plate. The lack of strength in depth has come home to roost; Almunia had an extremely poor second half. Campbell and Cygan rarely cleared their lines clearly.

 At 3-2 down and with Man U down to 10 men (For his thuggish head butt of Silvestre against Freddy. I expect Sir Alex will have serious words with him and an apology on its way) Wenger decided to copy Ranieri at Monaco, but without the benefit of a lead. He took off Flamini, the main ball winner for Reyes. Arsenal immediately lost their shape and played in an even more disjointed manner. Campbell was injured 10 minutes before the end and the defence became more ragged. Even though Man U were down to 10 men it was Arsenal who were chasing the game. The fourth goal was inevitable – Gary Neville rushed to the Clock end to jeer at the Arsenal fans, and made come on if you are hard enough gestures. There were several offers, but the Police arrested them before they could take up the invitation. I am sure Alex will tell him that this kind of behaviour is unacceptable and could cause dangerous crowd scenes.

Arsenal had slightly shaded possession and shots on goal. Man U had the edge on finishing; Giggs and Ronaldo were clinical. It had been a pulsating and exciting match that actually exceeded the hype.

 Arsenal will do best to forget all the old nonsense surrounding the match, and get on with sorting out the defence. The defence clearly undermined the ability of our forwards to keep up their confidence with such a leaky bucket in the rear. Clearly this is the worst defence Arsenal have ever had in the Premiership. A team without goalkeepers that can perform at the highest level, and has inadequate cover for centre backs cannot expect to contend for the Premiership. Wenger failed to act in the transfer window, it may be a missed opportunity he will regret.

ARSENAL 2

Vieira 8
Bergkamp 36

MANCHESTER UNITED 4

Giggs 18
Ronaldo 54, 58
O'Shea 89