BY ANTHONY PALMER
The red devils Manchester United versed the Gunners Arsenal with their 11-11 line up which set for an exciting match for the viewers and it didn’t disappoint. Kick off started at 7.45 with managers Louis van Gaal and Arsene Wenger looking for the teams to progress to the next round of the FA Cup finals. Manchester united had a list of world class stars but had to play without a few key players on the night. Manchester United’s striker Robin van Persie was missing from the FA Cup quarter -final against his old team mates in Arsenal, this was all due to an ankle injury he endured. Johnny Evans also missed the game after being brutally handed a six- match ban for spitting at Newcastle’s top man Papiss Cisse. The gunners and the red devils have been drawn together 13 times in the FA cup with Arsenal winning six and Man Utd winning seven. Both Arsenal and Manchester United have met twice in the finals. The Gunners came out on top both times and three times in the semi-finals, although United progressed each and every time.
Manchester united won 7, drew 2 and Arsenal won 5. This game was set from the start to be a game of the bold and the brave.
The game started off with Manchester United playing at their home ground “Old Trafford”, giving them the advantaged. The holders Arsenal had 9000 traveling fans. During kick off it was apparent Arsenal had made 5 changes prior to the match. This match was a tough one to call, even the bookies takings went up rapidly. There has been epic battles between the blues and the reds in the past, both teams always play with purposeful charge Ready to play stirring and professional football which is very much in there DNA.
LIVELY AND EVENTFUL
Both teams played a lively, eventful and intense game, just as I had envisaged before the match. The old manager Alex Ferguson was present in the crowd keeping a watch full eye over the team he loves and had managed for many decades.
Manchester United’s captain, Wayne Rooney led his team with Arsenal kicking off the start of play. The crowd was very much in high spirits. In the 2nd minute Arsenal had a chance courageously blocked by Chris Smalling. Which saw energetic Bellerin receive a yellow card for tackling Ashley young. Wayne Rooney tried to bring his team back in the game by taking a free kick which was headed away Welbeck.
In the 19th minute, we saw a beautiful pass to midfielder fellaine which was passed briskly towards Ashley young and so annoyingly wasted. Chris Monreal’s 25th minute goal saw his second strike for his Arsenal career in total, this was a build-up play with Midfielder, Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain as he sprightly slid past 4 red devil players before his sharp but nimble cross to Chris Monreal which led to his magnificent goal giving them the lead. This showed undoubtable school boy errors on Man -United behalf. Three minutes later in the 28th minute, we saw Captain- Wayne Rooney score a phenomenally blinding header which was assisted by teammate De Maria.
Following 29 year old- Rooney’s magic we saw a penalty declined by Referee Craig Pawson due to a Danny Welbeck challenge in the 29th minute. Danny Welbeck got back on his feet to header at the goal but it was saved by keeper David de Gea, deeming his attempt to be so weak. Two goals in the first half hour made the game more than nail biting to watch.
Leading up to half time, players pace in the game seemed to drop with Man United wasting more than a few good chances. Di Maria struggled a few times playing on the right being left footed. The champions were given two minutes of extra time were it deemed both teams unsuccessful to take the lead before the whistle blew.
I conclude the first half of the match as tense, electrifying and eventful.
The Manchester united supporter and former player for the reds Danny Welbeck scored the sweet yet easily rapid given winning goal against his old pals, when the goal was irresponsibly left wide open due to sloppy goal keeping. The 24 year old ceased the opportunity daringly.
COUNTER ATTACK
Arsenal counter attack was more than strong in the start of the second half although Manchester United were putting challenging passes together. The 64th minute, Chris Smalling’s attempt to equalise with the Gunners was shatteringly unsuccessful as his aimed was too high for victory. Man United took control for the next 10 minutes keeping victorious Arsenal at bay. Alexis Sanchez took a free kick for Arsenal which was respectfully saved by David de Gea in the 71st minute.
A breath away, the Devils substitute Adrian Januzaj came on for Manchester United and Danny Welbeck came off for Arsenal leaving to an uproar of cheers from his supporting crowd, Oliver Giloud came on in Welbeck’s place.
Man United’s keeper David De Gea kept his team alive in the game by saving a crucial shot in the 73rd minute. Man United’s Di Maria received his second yellow card for the night turning in to a dreaded red, the punishment was due to pulling on the referee’s top. United took control of the game again for the next 7 minutes, Arsenal seemed to struggle to get back in the game lacking domination. Man Utd kept pushing with high-spirits to the very bitter end but could not seem to find the final goal to close the game. The final whistle came too soon but the boys in blue took the win with beaming pride.
Draw: This win will see Arsenal play Bradford city or Reading next month in the semi-finals of the FA cup which was decided by chance by former legend 51 year old, Peter Bolesław Schmeichel, With the helping hand of X factor presenter and Arsenal supporter ,Dermot O’Leary draw The other semi-final games were finalised in the FA cup when we will see the likes of Aston Villa play Liverpool or Blackburn on the 18 – 19th of April.
