Arsenal 1/ Manchester Utd 3 (Manchester Utd progress 4-1 on aggregate)
It usually takes Cristiano Ronlado ten minutes to apply lashings of gel to his carefully-coiffed cranium - approximately two minutes more than it took his side to deflate the nervous atmosphere at The Emirates last night. The tricky winger’s two goals were brilliant (just look how far he runs for his second), and helped to give United the kind of scoreline they deserved at Old Trafford last week.
It’s too bad Arsenal forgot to turn up - it says a lot when your best player is an out of position substitute who couldn’t hit a cow’s backside with a banjo. Yes Nicklas Bendtner, we just gave you some heavily-disguised praise. Enjoy it.
As long as Rio remains fit, tonight’s Utd defence pretty much picks itself, while Anderson and Fletcher earn a place on the strength of their performances in the first leg.
The Spoiler’s controversial picks come up front: Rooney is on a yellow and played the whole game against Middlesbrough, so we feel he may start on the bench. Carlos Tevez, of course, is also on a yellow, but he is less likely to go batshit crazy, and arguably, less of a blow to lose for the final. We put the Argentinean ahead of Dimitar Stropotov because he is more able to defend from the front - chase down lost causes, feed off scraps etc. Park makes the cut so he can double-up (DOUBLE TEAM! OH YEAAAH!) on Theo Walcott and Evra.
The team can switch shape to 4-4-2 with Ronaldo up front and Fletcher moving out to the right if needed.
With this food for thought in mind, let us know your selection ideas below…
The Spoiler doesn’t profess to have a bulging brain like Professor Wenger, but we’ve had a go at selecting the team tonight all the same.
There’s no real surprises except for the inclusion of Nicklas Bendtner, who will come into the game with confidence after netting twice at the weekend. We feel he deserves a place ahead of Emmanuel Adebayor; he was poor in the first leg, and has demonstrated unprofessional conduct by harping on about AC Milan all the time.
Like our selection? Let us know who you would start below…
Arsenal have underperformed in their two previous semi-final matches this season but Arsene Wenger is confident that his side will deliver tonight and the statistics support him. And if Emmanuel Adebayor can keep his head out of the Milanese clouds for just 90 minutes, his partnership with Robin van Persie could make the difference. Our friends at chickendinner give five reasons why Arsenal could do it…
1. Arsenal have won two and drawn one of their three home games against Manchester United at the Emirates.
2. The Gunners are currently enjoying their best home form of the season having won six straight matches there.
3. Arsene Wenger’s side have conceded just one goal
Cesc Fabregas’ spitting games, Mike Riley’s green day and William Gallas’ massively offside winner anger defeated Hull
During last night’s FA Cup quarter-final between Arsenal and Hull, referee Mike Riley decided it would be appropriate for both goalkeepers to wear green - the same colour as the officials. This contravenes the laws of the game, but Mike Riley will undoubtedly use the St Patrick’s Day defence to escape punishment.
This colour confusion, however, was the least of the controversial incidents last night at the Emirates. Perma-tanned Hull manager Phil Brown was incensed by William Gallas’ 84th minute winner, which was clearly offside. “We lost the game unfairly. But I didn’t use the word cheat, you did,” said Brown to a reporter, clearly using the word “cheat”.
PB was also angered by the actions of Cesc Fabregas, who allegedly spat at the feet of Hull assistant manager Brian Horton after the game. It’s unclear what the Spaniard was doing on the pitch in his civvies in the first place, but he has thus far vehemently denied parting with any saliva.
Is the Professor finally running out of time in north London?
Liverpool fans had every right to express disapproval at their team over the weekend, but the loudest boo boys were found elsewhere. Aston Villa, Hull and Newcastle fans all filled the air with negativity, but the loudest derisive sounds were heard at full time at The Emirates. Before 2009, Arsenal’s new stadium had never hosted a 0-0 league draw, but frustrated fans were made to witness their third consecutive goalless match.
After Arsenal’s humiliating defeat to Manchester City in November, many fans began to question the man who supposedly had the safest job in the Premier League, and now we are starting to hear similar grumbles. When Wenger’s predecessor Bruce Rioch failed to secure fourth spot in the Premier League, he was dismissed. Will the huge-brained Frenchman suffer the same fate, or will we see him at the Emirates for many seasons to come?
The Gunners threaten to actually win something this season
Arsenal 4/ Cardiff 0
In the most touching example of overcoming adversity since Forrest Gump snapped off his leg braces to outrun some bullies, Eduardo scored twice in a game that came 359 days after Birmingham’s Martin Taylor shattered his left leg.
The last time there was such a good atmosphere at the Emirates, Bruce Springsteen was headlining.
The Emirates doesn’t get to host much entertaining football these days, so the football loving folks of north London were delighted to see a thoroughly entertaining friendly between the World Cup holders and Brazil. With no Kaka to steal the limelight, Elano and Robinho lead proceedings, and the Italians could only respond with a selection of disallowed chances.
Enjoy the highlights above, made all the better by the American commentary and awesome soft rock soundtrack.
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