| Dunleavy |
02-16-2008 05:12 AM |
The Big One. Arsenal v Man Utd FA Cup 5th Round Game Thread
alright i'm paying 16 bucks for this i might as well my own thread :D sorry for the tease as this game is PPV but i'm sure there some crazy asian feed on the internet somewhere
there's a preview below but Man Utd HAVE to win this one. as Carlos Tevez said in the build this game could have Title ramifications (after a loss last weekend Man Utd now trail Arsenal by 5pts, Arsenal still have to return to Old Trafford later in the year)
it looks like Arsenal will be without about a dozen players and there is talk in-form striker Adebayor will be rested for a potentially/debatedly even bigger game vs AC Milan on Wed in the Champions league, what lineup Wenger puts out there is the most intriguing part of the pre-game talk. as an Arsenal fan the key to all the injuries, and the game, is at RightBack and LeftBack, i'm really concerned that ManU's very talented wingers are going to cause all sorts of probelms
oh, and everytime Arsenal has beaten United recently it's b/c we've dominated the midfield so Cesc needs a cracker game and if it's Gilberto to replace Flamini he better come to play like a veteran fighting for place should
p.s. please Mr. Wenger dont play a 4-5-1, please...preview below...game kickoffs off at 12:15pm est
Quote:
Rooney returns, Arsenal down to 'bare bones'
Injury-plagued Arsenal are down to the 'bare bones' ahead of the FA Cup fifth-round clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday, manager Arsene Wenger said.
Wenger, who will make a late decision on his starting line-up, said on Friday only 14 players were to travel north for the weekend's outstanding tie.
But he rejected all thoughts of fielding a weakened team to save his senior men for next Wednesday's Champions League clash with AC Milan.
'It is a priority (this game) because it is the next game and we want to keep our good run going and we want to try to win the trophy,' Wenger told reporters. 'I am down to the bare bones of just 14 players so everybody travels.
'It will be a late decision tomorrow morning to see who I may give a breather to. So, tonight I will check the medical people.'
Wenger said he was doubtful about the fitness of defenders Gael Clichy and Philippe Senderos, striker Emmanuel Adebayor and midfielder Matthieu Flamini with various 'joint and muscle' problems.
Arsenal lead the Premier League by five points and have lost just once in their last 16 outings, a League Cup defeat at Tottenham last month. Arsenal are also unbeaten in their last three meetings against United.
Wenger said he is definitely without midfielder Tomas Rosicky, forwards Theo Walcott, Robin van Persie, midfielders Bacary Sagna and Denilson.
He said Jens Lehmann would continue in goal and that he would select the best available side for the game.
'We have a tricky week with Milan on Wednesday and then Birmingham on Saturday, plus Manchester United and we want to win this game - so I will pick my strongest possible side,' he said.
'There are only six Premier League teams left in the competition, so the winner tomorrow has certainly a big chance to win the trophy. It could be a decider for one of these teams to go through to the final.'
Meanwhile, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson welcomes back Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra return to the squad.
Both players sat out the derby defeat by Manchester City last weekend because of suspension.
Louis Saha also comes into contention following a knee injury after training all week but Gary Neville and Mikael Silvestre remain sidelined.
Ferguson will make changes with a Champions League first leg match to come on Wednesday against Lyon.
He said: 'I think both myself and Arsene Wenger will make changes tomorrow as we have massive games ahead.
'I am sure it will still be a match of great commitment, so fasten your seat belts!
'It is an interesting season. Ourselves and Arsenal are talking about three trophies while Chelsea are after four. That is fantastic.
'In the time I have been here Manchester United and Arsenal have been competing for trophies most of the time.'
'Both clubs are run in the right way. What you see at both clubs now will still be much the same in five or six years' time.'
PREVIOUS FA CUP CLASHES
Arsenal 3-2 Man Utd
(1979 final)
One of the most memorable finals was actually an unremarkable affair for the first 85 minutes. Arsenal lead 2-0 but dramatically,Gordon McQueen and Sammy McIlroy levelled for United. With extra-time looming Alan Sunderland nipped in at the far post to seal an amazing win for the Gunners.
Man Utd 2-1 Arsenal
(1999 semi-final replay)
The last ever FA Cup semi-final replay. With the score at 1-1 United had Roy Keane sent off before Peter Schmeichel saved Dennis Bergkamp's last-minute penalty. In extra-time United were struggling until Ryan Giggs seized on a loose pass, raced from his own half and smashed a rising shot past David Seaman for one of the great FA Cup goals.
Man Utd 0-2 Arsenal
(2003 fifth round)
Giggs wasting an early chance to score with the goal gaping and the Gunners recovered from that scare to win with goals from Edu and Sylvain Wiltord. Sir Alex Ferguson was furious and in his anger kicked a stray boot across the dressing room, accidentally striking David Beckham just above the eye. Beckham left for Real Madrid that summer.
Arsenal 0-1 Man Utd
(2004 semi-final)
Arsenal arrived at Villa Park still on course to match United's 1999 treble, but United got their tactics right, hounding Arsenal in midfield as Paul Scholes grabbed the only goal in the 31st minute. By the end of the week Arsenal were also out of the Champions League.
Arsenal 0-0 Man Utd
(5-4 on pens - 2005 final)
With both teams trophyless the 2005 FA Cup final took on added significance. Ferguson's men rose to the occasion, completely dominating proceedings. Wayne Rooney hit the post and Freddie Ljungberg deflected Ruud van Nistelrooy's header on to the bar but Arsenal somehow clung on to take the game to penalties.
from fox sports
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