NOTE: If you are not a soccer fan stop reading now. Please don't post about how much you think soccer sucks, this isn't the thread. Since I know there are quite a few fans of both teams here, I thought I would go ahead and get the thread started. For those of you who don't know, these have been the two best teams in English soccer over the past 10 years, and both teams absolutely hate each other. Both teams are basically playing for second this season in the Premiership, as Chelsea sets on top of the table by a double digit margin. The game will be aired live at 2:00 on Fox Sports World and replayed tonight at 7:00. Prediction: The Gooners haven't been the same since we ended their unbeaten streak. We'll play our secret weapon, Phil Neville, and he'll keep Henry scoreless once again to make it 8 straight games without a goal against United. Big game Rooney gets on the scoresheet. 2-1 United.
I don't know, they are itching to get back at us red devils because of ending their streak at Old Trafford. Man U is just not great this year, I think Arsenal wins 3-1. DD
They are unbeaten in 20 of their last 22, and one of those losses was last week to Chelsea, who got a FREAK goal in the 86th minute. We are one of the hottest teams in the world right now, behind only Chelsea, and possibly Barca. We're in the knockout stages of the Champions League, and just advanced to the 5th round of the FA Cup. We currently sit in third in the Premiership, the same place we finished last season, but the same position we finished last year. I'd say we're playing pretty well right now, better than Arsenal at the moment.
I want United to win. I like them because of Timmy and have been following them closely ever since he got there. But the way the press has been treating him there makes me pissed !! every goal he gives up is a howler. he's too much of an american, he needs to learn to play our way ,blah blah blah. If there is one thing he has struggled with since his arrival is his defence of crosses. He has to go in there and be more physical, knock some f@#*ers down Tim! Anyway back to today's game, it should be a good one as usual with someone getting a yellow card in the first twenty minutes. I just hope Carroll doesn't frock it up. Talk about a howler. No Ruud either. His fellow dutchman bergkrap all but called him a dirty player. This coming from a guy whose team has been penalised more than the 74-76 Philadelphia Flyers in the past several years. United 2, the Arse 0 The game is supposed to be on Fox sports world 3pm eastern.
To be honest, I have zero confindence with Howard in goal. He is the reason Porto knocked us out of the Champion's League last season, easy save that he couldn't catch, and they scored on a rebound in injury time to advance. If he catches that, we advance, Mourinho doesn't coach Chelsea this season.... but I digress. He made two huge errors early this season, one against Lyon, can't remember the other one, thus he lost his place. Carroll did make a horrible blunder against Tottenham, but at least it didn't cost us the game. Howard has the ability to make the amazing save, but if you watch him closely, he makes a mistake every game, it doesn't always lead to a goal, but it's there. I really think we'll go out in the summer and bring in a world class keeper. BTW, that goal against Chelsea was NOT Howard's fault.
Geez, to think Howard is to blame for Chelsea being so good (ie Morinho's arrival)! Doh! United got extremely lucky in round 1. 1-0 to the Arsenal.
Actually Abromivich and his millions are the reasons Chelski are so good. And how great is the Arse? Did they get the treble? Did Henry get player of the year? They did get the premiership and Blatter's tag of best team in the world for whatever that's worth . Luck was the arse not losing 44 in a row or whatever it was.
49 in a row is pretty damn good. And if you've seen them play during that streak it was some of the all time best football. Total football. Luck was Rio not getting sent off in the first game. Arsenal strike first with Viera's header. 1-0 to Arsenal.
That first Manchester game at Trafford was luck, Ruud missing a penalty kick at the last minute. Then the arsenal players in Ruud's face after. the luck part was that arsenal players got off easy regarding suspensions.
Looking like a game. edit: There ought to be some good Wengerisms after this one, O'Shea just ended the match
Going a season unbeaten and playing beautiful football speaks for itself. Well done to United. Maintaining the fight when down twice is typical and admirable. Sadly at 3-2 only Bergkamp seemed to be still going all out. Ironically (with all the foreign players), Arsenal have the English (national side) quality of not taking advantage of ten men opposition.
I went home for lunch and was watching the last half hour or so of Arsenal vs. Newcastle. It was an old game from last weekend I think but it was really entertaining. Hopefully I'll get to watch the Man-U vs. Arsenal game. I like the way Arsenal plays but I will be routing for Man-u b/c of Van Nistelrooy (I think he is still out on injury though, right?). This is 2nd soccer thread this week!!! WOW!!! Lets's keep it up. MORE soccer threads
I really am starting to like this Heinze guy. He looks like a real hard charger. Arsenal needs a couple of those.
Did anyone notice if Arsene and Ferguson shook hands? It looked as if they did, but it was pretty crowded near the entrance to the tunnel. Even though I support United, I have to say that Henry has no equal in the premiership. His pace, his passing (he assisted on bergkamp's goal) , his presence and especially his shooting are all top notch. Now if only he can show it at the international level. And congrats to Carroll for not botching it up. He had some good saves, but I think his problem is when he leaves his line. In the first half he went out to get a ball that Silvestre could have cleared and instead Carroll catches it and steps out of the box giving Arsenal a free kick. It's true the Tottenham "goal" didn't hurt United but it should have counted. Hell, even the English bookies paid out on the goal because it was a yard inside before Carroll knocked it out. Let's not forget that the great Dane was not that great when he first started, give Timmy time.
Great result, for United. Every team in the world needs to take a look at how we play Henry, that's 8 games in a row we've kept him off the scoresheet. He was invisible all game, only had the one half chance and that was when we were down to ten men. He is absolute class. One of the few recent signings by Fergie that have been worth the money.
