Arsenal vs. Manchester United

We were excellent attacking wise in the first half but were a little sloppy in the second. Arsenal could have had two themselves if they were clinical. We need to reorganize and make sure to patch all the holes in defense.

Also, was Nani's shot a handball? If so, we should have had a penalty.
 
This is always the best 'footballing' game of the season.
 
Not over by a long shot this. They are skinning Brown for pace at will.
 
redspoony said:
Did someone leave a big bag of skill in Nani's locker at Carrington?

Great first half from the lad.
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I don't think it has ever been about skill, it has been about when to use it correctly. His decision making has been world class.
 
Nani's been brilliant and Carrick's been bossing the game. Great stuff. Hope we keep attacking them in the second half.
 
It was a great half in terms of finishing and controlling the game. But we actually made many mistakes in midfield and defence unpunished, when defending especially. Good thing Arshavin is not having one of his best games so far. We have to keep the errors down. One goal and that's all it takes to bring Arsenal back into the game.
 
How is Nani playing?

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A really intelligent half of football from us. Don't know about Nani having a skill transplant - I think he's had a bionic brain fitted; his decision making has been so much better. Just great stuff. Ruud bigging up Carrick on Sky btw.
 
olesmyhero said:
Not yet. Keep it how it is and try to get a 3rd. 2-0 is always a tricky lead. They get a goal, who knows what could happen.
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Surely they say that about 1-0?

You can't be saying we need a 3 goal cushion before it's not tricky?
 
2-0 is a great scoreline so far, but Arsenal may yet benefit from getting away with Vermin's handball. That would have made it 3-0, and surely game over, but he stopped it going in with his arm and now it's all to play for.

They've not really attacked our backline yet, despite the fact that it's very weak, so we'll have to watch out for that. I can see us really sitting back in the second half, and if Arsenal spend that time just consistently coming at us - especially with the crowd getting behind them - then I can see them getting something here. We have to be very, very careful.
 
From the Beeb


From optajoe on Twitter: "Nicolas Anelka was top scorer in the Premier League last season with 19 goals - Rooney has 20 already in 2009/10. Golden."
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BBC Radio 5 live's Lee Dixon: "United have flooded the midfield and hit them on the break - the gameplan is perfect so far. That second goal really is one to remember and Wayne Rooney was just brilliant in it."
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1648: Half-time Arsenal 0-2 Manchester United
What an incredible period of play that was. Arsenal had looked the likelier to score, but they are going to have to produce the performance of the season to get anything from this. Two-horse race?
1647: Nice run forward from Alex Song and he's set up by a flick from Cesc Fabregas, but the Cameroon midfielder drags a left-foot shot wide from 12 yards.
1644: NO I'M NOT A UNITED FAN BUT THOSE GOALS WERE STUNNING.
BBC Sport's Phil McNulty at the Emirates: "Manchester United have just taken Arsenal to the cleaners in two moments of brilliance - and Nani has justified his selection with a blistering display, forcing Manuel Almunia to palm into his own net after a run Cristiano Ronaldo would have been been proud of and setting up a second for Wayne Rooney. Nani has been erratic so often, but this is end product par excellence. And Rooney sprinted from deep inside his own half to finish the second. Arsene Wenger is slumped back in his seat - and no wonder."
1641: Has to be 0-3. Wayne Rooney does brilliantly to persevere down the United left and eventually beats Alex Song to get a cross in. Paul Scholes keeps his cool to tee up Nani 12 yards out and he drills wide of Manuel Almunia's right-hand post. Should've scored. United are electric.
1641: See 1638 - I meant Champions League semi-final. I was over-excited.
1640: Wayne Rooney has just scored his 100th Premier League goal and Arsene Wenger looks like someone has just punched him in the stomach. Hard. Andrey Arshavin has a great chance 14 yards out, but fires wide. Mountain to climb.
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United goal: Sometimes you have to just stand up an applaud. That is as magnificent a goal as you could wish to see. United break with alarming pace - it's like last season's Champions League final all over again. Wayne Rooney starts it just outside his own box, feeds Nani and then the pair both sprint forward - they get to just outside the Arsenal box and Nani tees up Rooney to sweep a devastating blow past Manuel Almunia. What. A. Goal.
1638: GOAL Arsenal 0-2 Manchester United
1637: Arsenal take a quick corner and Cesc Fabregas hammers the ball across the face of goal from their left - Wes Brown gets a crucial touch at the far post.
1635: What a goal. That's the inspiration this game was waiting for - and another surprise selection from Sir Alex Ferguson is vindicated.
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United goal: That is genius. Move over Ronaldo, there's a new wing king in town. Nani keeps the ball in down the right and beats two players with a majestic flick between his legs. He dummies his way past Cesc Fabregas who cannot make a tackle in the area and lifts the ball to the back post, where Manuel Almunia can only tip it into his own net. Not great keeping, but stunning from the Portuguese.
1633: GOAL Arsenal 0-1 Manchester United
 
Even 2-0 does not feel like a secure lead with that defence I'm afraid. Oh man, if only Rio hadn't fecked up.
 
Richio's usual pre-match capitulation.

RedRichio said:
Heap of shit that I'm afraid. That's a team not to lose, which isn't good enough. Valencia, giggs or the berb should be playing. feck knows what's happened to vidic but we will struggle to keep them out with that back four.
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45 minutes later.

RedRichio said:
That half was astounding. Absolutely astounding. Nani is a fecking god.
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Sorry mate, I've called you out before but you are the epitomy of the matchday thread idiot.
 
swooshboy said:
Surely they say that about 1-0?

You can't be saying we need a 3 goal cushion before it's not tricky?
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To be fair mate if they get a goal soon we'll probably become pants for a few minutes where anything can happen. Its tricky alright.
 
fantastic match so far. nani has been electric and rooney has been rooney. his goal reminded me of his cl goal against ac milan. running through to his right and a one-touch shot for a goal. raf and evra have less than good. carrick and fletch their unusal. park's been good.
 
feck yeah, dominating them more or less the entire half at their own turf! One of the best halves I've seen from us this season, no doubt! And Nani? I'm speechless, but it's hardly a surprise if you saw our last two matches.

Job halfway done, 45 more solid minutes and we should still be psrt of what will then be a two horse title race!
 
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