EPL Game 12 - Arsenal 2: 2 Man United

It's taken me quite some time to decide to write this blog. Honestly, it makes me sulk to think about what happened at the Emirates. Playing against the so called hi-flying gunners at their backyard, we had the match in our hands at 2-1 and yet they scored in the injury time to level the scores. At the end of the match Arsenal were celebrating like they had won the Premiership, while honestly they had lost 2 points as it was they who went in as favorites. Even the most ardent United fan would have settled for a draw before the match, but certainly not the way it happened. But then such things can only happen in football.

Come to think of it, it was a great advertisement for football. Two of the most attacking clubs in the world playing against each other, and in attacking fashion. As expected, Arsenal started the match with nothing but goal-scoring intentions. They kept attacking. But United seemed to have thier defensive strategy on target. Though Arsenal enjoyed a lot of possession, almost for the whole of the first half, they didn't seem to create a single clear-cut chance. And lot of credit for that should go the pair of Anderson and Hargreaves, who dented their attacks from going any farther into United penalty area. The seeming strategy of "defend and counter attack" payed off perfectly for United as they tasted the first blood at the fag end of the half. Rooney deflecting a Ronaldo cross past Almunia - though it did take a slight deflection of Gallas.

It didn't take long for Arsenal to come back into the game. But it was the most convincing way to get a goal. As Van der Saar was distracted off the goal from a cross, Fabregas found an empty net to plug the ball into to spark wild celebrations. United did keep pressing forward through the second half. With Saha coming on for Tevez, the game took a turn. A beautiful pass of Saha saw Evra making ground on the left to find an unmarked Ronaldo, who tapped in gleefully. That was in the 82nd minute and United were all set to avenge their home defeat to Arsenal last season.
But fate would have it different. Arsenal scored off what I can only call a freak goal - A barrage of shots at the goal with United defenders scampering around to block them and suddenly the goal is awarded by the linesman. The scores were level and United were denied a much deserved victory. Overall taking the chances into consideration, it was United who looked the better side. Arsenal survived, thanks to 2 unconvincing goals. And supporters like me were left to rue a historic let gone by.
Nevertheless, it was a good game for United, specially for keeping the Gunners at bay and almost snatching a victory at their home. We'll wait for Arsenal to come to Old Trafford!