The Artful Dodger wrote: Actually, I was starting to pull for a draw the last 15 minutes or so for Milan to equalize. It wasn't a particularly thrilling game, but I liked the tension and drama of the occasion. Really wanted to see extra time.
Anyhow, I've always had a soft spot for Tottenham, dating back to the time when Gary Lineker transferred from Barcelona to Spurs and when they landed one certain Paul Gascoigne. While Tottenham itself is not my favorite part of London, I love North London. Well, Islington is nice but that's where Arsenal are.
sounds like it's even nicer then. I've only been to London once and it was only for a few days, so I didn't get to see a ton of the city, aside form the touristy spots.
Either way, Arsenal's injury woes just got worse, which is a benefit for United. Cesc out about 2 weeks, and Scezney is out indefinitely. Both will miss the FA cap fixture vs. United, and they'll miss some games in the league in which Arsenal can not afford to leave points on the table.
London and Barcelona are my most frequently visited cities and they're my top two favorites. I'd live there (Hampstead ideally) if it wasn't ridiculously expensive. If I lived in the UK, it'd be Manchester; it's smaller, friendlier, more affordable, a university town, and they have a great football club (not City).
As far as the FA Cup match goes, I'd like to see United field close to a full strength side. It's tricky because we have the midweek CL match against Marseille and it's imperative to get a result there too. So, I can see Wenger perhaps resting a few players, as well as Fergie doing the same. Nani is out to up to a month and Antonio Valencia is still in the rehab process, playing with the reserves for the time being. Think both can play the next Premier League match vs. Bolton, if all goes well with the injuries. Pretty much a certainty they'll both miss Arsenal and Marseille.
Yup, both teams certainly do have their injury woes. The slight silver lining to Arsenal's defeat at Camp Nou is that they won't stretch themselves as thin now, and can have a more directed focus. Don't be surprised to see Arsene Wenger field the best team he can in the FA Cup, though. If I was him, I think I would. Keep in mind, if Arsenal can find a way to beat United, then they have a very good chance at winning the whole Cup, and if they tie, a replay really isn't the worst thing ever, since it would cause their biggest (and basically only) competition for the league title to play an extra game as well.
I can't see either team wanting a replay, especially United because it's at home and if they stick in the Champions League, it's going to be one crazy backlog of games to be played.
If I had to project the lineups, it'd be something like this...
I'll assume that VDS, Evra, Scholes, and Giggs get a rest in preparation for Marseille. Ji-Sung Park might be available off the bench and he's a pest whenever United play Arsenal.
I'll also say Arsenal play close to full strength, even though it wouldn't surprise me if Wenger rested a couple of regulars. Then again, Arsenal didn't show any real fight last Tuesday (except for Wilshere and Almunia) and they'll want to prove they're not big-game bottlers (also United at the Emirates in May). No Song, Walcott, Fabregas, and Szczesny.
That's pretty much what I was thinking as well. Taking into account who they have available, that's about the best lineup Arsenal can field...well, the best lineup that Wenger thinks they can field (I personally think any lineup with Diaby in it is not the best lineup they could field). I think the big question is going to be whether or not RvP starts. He was healthy for the Barca game, but he is still coming off of an injury, so don't be surprised if Bendtner/Chamakh plays in the game. I personally hope it's Van Persie though. I think the FA Cup is our best remaining chance to get some hardware this year (although the Prem title is certainly not out of reach). Also, I wasn't suggesting Arsenal would want a replay, but with that said, I don't think they would be upset with that result either. It would earn them a game at the Emirates, rather than having to win on the road, and the downside to having to play an extra game probably isn't as severe to them as it is to United.
A Fleshner Fantasy wrote:That's pretty much what I was thinking as well. Taking into account who they have available, that's about the best lineup Arsenal can field...well, the best lineup that Wenger thinks they can field (I personally think any lineup with Diaby in it is not the best lineup they could field). I think the big question is going to be whether or not RvP starts. He was healthy for the Barca game, but he is still coming off of an injury, so don't be surprised if Bendtner/Chamakh plays in the game. I personally hope it's Van Persie though. I think the FA Cup is our best remaining chance to get some hardware this year (although the Prem title is certainly not out of reach). Also, I wasn't suggesting Arsenal would want a replay, but with that said, I don't think they would be upset with that result either. It would earn them a game at the Emirates, rather than having to win on the road, and the downside to having to play an extra game probably isn't as severe to them as it is to United.
Ah, but Arsenal have already played more midweek/extra games than United have, especially those of the needless variety (i.e. Leeds, Leyton Orient). That will take a certain toll on Arsenal too, if it hasn't already.
Anyhow, there was Europa League action today. Didn't bother to watch the games, but Liverpool lost at Braga in the first leg, 1-nil. Manchester City in a deeper hole, as they were outclassed by Dynamo Kiev, 2-0. Looks like Citeh will come up empty if they don't outscore Dynamo by three goals at Eastlands in the second leg. If they fail to do that, then all hinges on FA Cup to end the 35 year trophy jinx.
That was a funny old game. I never would have thought United would win with a first-half lineup sporting 7 - count them - 7 defenders in the starting XI. Reading through the team news, I got bad flashbacks about John O'Shea being a CM option, circa 2005-06.
Weird, experimental lineup but somehow it worked for at least the first half. Thought the shape of the formation was inconsistent and that allowed Arsenal some space to exploit. On the whole, it was surprisingly effective as Arsenal were able to retain the ball, but the pressing as usual was solid from United. Both Da Silva twins, Fabio and Rafael, were terrific as primary wingers and although Arsenal missed their chances, United were deserved leaders.
Second half, I think when Antonio Valencia (a pleasant surprise) and Ryan Giggs came on, United were able to look more threatening in the second half. Valencia looked better than I thought he'd be and Rooney's passing/first touch were for the most part, spot on. Should have been 3-nil with Paul Scholes delivering a couple of fantastic long through balls, had it not been for less than clinical finishing.
While Arsenal had their chances, I'd say Smalling and Vidic defended well. Arsenal were better served crossing into the box than creating through the middle, since the lads were just waiting for them to give it away or stay relatively stationery enough to get dispossessed for a challenge (what Smalling typically does). Arsenal's inability to hit on the counter (they're not that good at it) also hurt them, as it just allowed United to build that wall outside of their box.
Obviously, Edwin Van der Sar made some terrific saves and it's days like this where I'd say United would miss him when he retires at season's end. He's 40, going on 41, but he can certainly go on for at least a year or two. VDS' form is still tremendous and the Man of the Match on this one.
So, the FA Cup semifinals are in place. Bolton v Stoke and now that an unconvincing Manchester City put away Reading, 1-nil... the other semi is a Manchester derby: United v City.
April 17, bring on the bitter berties. Would love to see United personally keep City from winning anything for 35 going on 36 years. In '76, oh this is true...
The Artful Dodger wrote:So, the FA Cup semifinals are in place. Bolton v Stoke and now that an unconvincing Manchester City put away Reading, 1-nil... the other semi is a Manchester derby: United v City.
April 17, bring on the bitter berties. Would love to see United personally keep City from winning anything for 35 going on 36 years. In '76, oh this is true...
The Artful Dodger wrote:So, the FA Cup semifinals are in place. Bolton v Stoke and now that an unconvincing Manchester City put away Reading, 1-nil... the other semi is a Manchester derby: United v City.
April 17, bring on the bitter berties. Would love to see United personally keep City from winning anything for 35 going on 36 years. In '76, oh this is true...
cheers, AD.
I found a high quality clip of Mike Summerbee's bitter rant (although match footage is censored):
Sky Sports News sources understand former goalkeeper Jens Lehmann is holding talks with Arsenal regarding a possible return to the club.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is considering bringing in keeping cover after Wojciech Szczesny joined Lukasz Fabianski and Vito Mannone on the sidelines.
The injuries have left Manuel Almunia as Arsenal's only senior keeper and Lehmann has been linked with a return to Emirates Stadium.
Lehmann is due to spend six weeks at his old club to work on his coaching badges and was remaining coy on the possibility of being part of Wenger's squad when asked about a possible deal on Sunday.
Positive talks
"I am in London and so far have heard nothing of such plans, but you never know," Lehmann told Bild am Sonntag.
However, it is believed the club have held 'positive talks' with Lehmann, although a deal has not been done and Arsenal declined to comment.
The 41-year-old spent five years with Arsenal and made almost 200 appearances for the club after his 2003 arrival from Borussia Dortmund. He returned to the Bundesliga with Stuttgart in 2008 before the former Germany international called time on his playing career last summer.
Yeah, I heard about the Lehman talks. He certainly doesn't excite me, but given the options we have, I'm not horribly opposed to it. At the very least, he could hopefully provide some veteran experience and leadership.
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by sounds like it's even nicer then. I've only been to London once and it was only for a few days, so I didn't get to see a ton of the city, aside form the touristy spots.
