Super subs Fraizer Campbell and Theo Walcott defeat Spain
England are through to the semi-finals of the Euro Under-21 Championship with a game to spare after beating pre-tournament favourites Spain 2-0.
It looked like Stuart Pearce’s side might have blown their chance when James Milner missed a first-half penalty but the 62nd minute introduction of Theo Walcott, to a ridiculous roar from the crowd, turned the game.
Fellow substitute Fraizer Campbell opened the scoring five minutes later before Walcott set up Milner in the 73rd minute to guarantee victory and a place in the semi-finals.
The Aston Villa winger then picked up a rather convenient yellow card for a needless foul late on which means he will serve a suspension during the “nothing” clash with Germany - words you would never expect to hear uttered - rather than missing either the semi-finals or final.
Arsenal/Villarreal, Champions Lge QF L2, 7.45pm, Sky Sports 3
Arsenal’s biggest worry tonight is how their defence will cope without Manuel Almunia, Gael Clichy, William Gallas and Johan Djourou. It is with that in mind that we have decided to stick with the 4-2-3-1 formation from the first leg, ensuring that the patched-up back four are adequately supported:
Emmanuel Adebayor was isolated at times in Spain but with Villarreal needing to commit bodies forward, there should be more space for Samir Nasri, Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott to exploit, while Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner will be ready to do damage off the bench if the visitors score.
Do you agree with our formation or do you think Arsenal should start with two strikers? Let us know who you would pick with a comment below.
Patrick Vieira will line up against Manchester United again tonight
Jose Mourinho has decided to start Patrick Vieira and Mario Balotelli against Manchester United tonight while Walter Samuel returns to the Inter Milan defence. Carlos Tevez’ reward for scoring twice against Fulham is a place on the bench while Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes both start in midfield.
Arsene Wenger has named the same eleven players for Arsenal that started the 1-0 win over Roma a fortnight ago. As well as indicating that the Frenchman doesn’t intend to adopt a safety-first approach, it means he has Theo Walcott and Eduardo waiting in the wings to make an impact of the bench.
Melanie Slade will appear in the next* Harry Potter flick
Melanie Slade burst on to the WAG scene in 2006, when she and the rest of the country’s finest supporting ladies did their best to distract England from winning anything. Since she started romancing weak-shouldered Arsenal favourite Theo Walcott, Miss Slade has been passing the hours with a physiotherapy degree, but according to The Mirror, the Southampton-based beauty has also found herself some gainful employment:
WAG Mel Slade - the girlfriend of England and Arsenal star Theo Walcott - has landed a role in the next Harry Potter film. Mel, 20, appears with Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One.
In the movie, set for release in November 2010, Mel plays a pal of Hermione (Watson) as they watch a game of Quidditch - and she even gets to say some lines.
Mel may thank her fine acting talents for landing this role, but a healthy dollop of nepotism also had its part to play. The film’s director David Yates just happens to be the partner of Theo’s aunt Yvonne.
The Daily Mail have published a rather lengthy interview with Theo Walcott’s beau, Melanie Slade. The WAG reveals that the couple met at the Southampton branch of Claire’s Accessories, and that their first date as sixteen year old was a thoroughly romantic screening of Land of the Dead.
She also revealed an excellent method for away fans to irritate the weak-shouldered forward:
We were at a petrol station and when he came out of the shop after paying, his face was like thunder. I said to him, “What happened?” and he said, “They asked me if I was Lewis Hamilton!”
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