Man United 4-0 Arsenal - 16/02/08 - (FA Cup) 17 February, 2008
Posted by lasagnechef in Arsenal News.trackback
Ouch. Well I was prepared to lose this one but to be completely outplayed like that was a bit upsetting. I was quite excited about the game yesterday; just like any Arsenal vs. Manchester United game even though there was that slight feeling that the game didn’t matter.
The main thing that was keeping me looking forward to that match was something I said on Friday in my match preview. I’ve quoted it below:
Whatever side Arsene does put out, they’re going to give everything they have to send us through to the next round of the cup. It will still be a great game to watch. I’ve said before that whoever loses this, it won’t be the end of the world. However I’m still going to want us to win and if we do it’ll be fantastic.
I still stand by the last two sentences there; despite the 4-0 loss it is still the case. However, The first couple of sentences was the one thing that I knew as I Gooner I could hold on to but I was left utterly disappointed yesterday.
We fielded the side I pretty much thought it’d be: Lehmann, Traore, Toure, Gallas, Hoyte, Eboue, Fabregas, Gilberto, Hleb, Bendtner and Eduardo. Not a bad side and certainly capable of putting in a performance to upset any United side. However, what I said in my match preview was completely false. They didn’t ‘give everything they have’ and definitely from an Arsenal point of view it wasn’t ‘a great game to watch’.
The side not only looks disinterested, they looked hopeless. It’s like Wenger said to them, “Look, we have to just get this game over and done with, it’s not important. Whatever you do, just don’t get injured.” I’m sure that’s not the case but it’s what it seemed like.
Gallas and Toure looked like they’d never met each other in their lives, never mind that great partnership we saw before the African Nations Cup. The wing backs were put in their place by United and reminded us, and them, that they have a long way to go still. Fabregas and Hleb were two names that you’d think could create something for us, even against the run of play. Yet they were completely anonymous.
Gilberto once again confirmed that he’s past it, sorry mate. Bendtner showed us how much of a lazy, selfish and careless striker he is, didn’t look like he cared. Eboue was disgraceful. I forgot what he was like while he was away with the Ivory Coast but yesterday he firmly reminded me what an absolute cunt he is. I’ve never hated a current Arsenal player (even when Ashley Cole was still with us, to an extent) but he’s just done one to many stupid things for my liking. I was hoping he would learn from his mistakes but it appears the only way to put an end to his madness is to get rid of him.
We can’t focus on what went wrong for us too much, because that would be taking something away from Man United. They were fantastic, outplayed us the full 90 minutes, no exaggeration. Ronaldo was rested but it didn’t matter, Nani was showing the home crowd what he can do in Ronaldo’s absence. They were worthy winners.
The home side opened the scoring through Rooney after quarter of an hour. I wasn’t too worried; we still had plenty of time to find our feet. However they went 2-0 up four minutes later and I knew it was going to take a lot to come back against Man United. It was made 3-0 in the 38th minute and it was game over from there. We only had pride to play for but the players didn’t even seem to want to go for that.
Maybe they were conserving energy for Wednesday? Who knows? With 20 minutes to go Adebayor, Flamini and Senderos were brought on for Eduardo, Hleb and Cesc; further confirming where our intentions lie. Flamini gave the travelling Gooners something to cheer about, he worked his socks off but you expect that from Matty, that’s why we love him. Adebayor also displayed his never-say-die spirit; yes, that including diving in the area but I’m sure we can all see why he did it. In his optimistic mind he thought we could nick a penalty and come back.
I feel sorry for the Gooners that made the long trip up north. We took 9,000 fans and every one of them will have paid a decent bit of money to be there yesterday and to witness a performance like that they must’ve been a bit pissed off.
I’ve said all I really want to say about the game I think. Both teams can take positives and negatives from the tie but I have a slight suspicion that the fans in Manchester Manchester United fans will have the bigger smiles across their face this morning.
Another strange match report, sorry. Arseblog has a great analysis and the Arsenal.com match report is here.
Next up it’s AC Milan, build up to this massive game to come the next couple of days. Until then.
I think everyone is getting overboard with the negativity. Its only the FA cup for goodness sake. Only among the oldies in England is the competition held in high regard. To Arsene, who is a visionary, its only a game to get another million pounds cash. Other than that, who the hell cares. Arsenal will win the games that matter. And that includes EPL and CL games. Snap out of it , you negative fans! Have some believe.
That’s not too negative. Arsenal were so poor, supporters don’t want to condone that kind of performance.
I love this idea of somehow reimbursing Arsenal supporters who went to the game, that would make a big statement that the club agrees with the supporters.
http://www.wickeddeflection.com
Extremely disappointing.I couldn’t bear to watch this game.It’s obvious Wenger wants to focus on the EPL and CL, but to go out in this fashion is just torture to the supporters.Disgraceful, really.
this was the worst game ive ever seen arsenal play, BUT it was in the FA cup…WHO CARES ABOUT THIS CUP…if i were arsene i wouldnt have played cesc, hleb, gallas, and eduardo because they could got injuried…and believe me, i dont know if its bad luck but we always get injuries…we have a BIG game on wednesday, so this training game we had on saturday doesnt matter…and did you see the pitch, it looked like they raise cows in there, it was another thing to worry about because our players could have get injured…i do think arsene told the players: please go and play calmly and please dont get injured, because we have a REAL game on wednesday…im sure we are going to win the league and that we have a good chance on winning the champions…and im completely sure that we are going to beat manutd on april when we have our 100% ready squad…almunia, sagna, clichy, toure (senderos) gallas, rosicky, hleb, flamini, cesc, van persie, and adebayor…the best squad in the world!!! GO GUNNERS!!!
p.d: sorry for my english
Stop whining.
Let’s get on with it.
Milan: ready to meet your maker?
C’mon you Gunners
Fuckers,
Fuck you. Fuck you all to fucking hell, fuckers. I hope your fucking nuts explode from frantic worry as you bat your eyelids and squeal over and over “what’s to become of our fucking football side?”. I hope you get grey hairs, you fuckers. Why, you might ask? Why is a fucking charitable, fucking awesome fucker like myself sneering at less-blessed fuckers such as yourselves for not having the fucking equanimity and grace that I possess?
The answer, my fucking friends, is that I’m sick to death with your fucking whinging and moping and wrist-slitting. Yes, we played like limp-wristed fuckers. Yes, we lost to a bunch of fuckers who wouldn’t know how to wipe their arses after a shit. Yes, it fucking hurts. But it’s not the fucking end of the fucking world. It’s not even the fucking end of the fucking week!
The REAL game is on this Wednesday: AC-Fucking-Milan vs Arsenal. Kalac and Dida are out. Ronaldo’s out. Those Italian fuckers are primed and ready to be… well, fucked like whores. Wenger is a smart, smart fucker (almost as smart a fucker as myself), and he knows the limits of our squad. He doesn’t give a flying fuck about the FA Cup. Ferguson can have it, shit and piss in it, and then feed it to Richard fucking Scudmore for all Wenger cares. Wenger cares about fucking Milan over on a weeknight. Wenger wants to fuck ‘em over right royal. Wenger wants to do them slow and long and hard and covered with chocolate sauce. Wenger wants to take the Champions League AND the Premiership this year.
Wenger sees all, fuckers - and don’t you fucking forget that.
Who’s whinging and moping?
‘chef, of the 144-odd fuckers who posted yesterday, half were devoted to wrist-slashing, woe-is-me fuckerisms. Now, I’m as up for a bout of self-pity as the next guy, but fucking hell, that’s a lot of fucking angst over a fucking match that doesn’t mean a fucking lot.
Oh right, I couldn’t be bothered to read them all to be honest.
> Adebayor also displayed his never-say-die spirit; yes, that including > diving in the area but I’m sure we can all see why he did it.
I can’t. Let’s say Wiley decided to give us a free goal just for Manu walking onto the field. Does anyone really think we’d somehow score 4 more before time? Why fucking embarrass yourself and the team by diving like that? Disgraceful… Senderos did it too.
Come on Milano
Chumpions leave ur avin a laffff !!!!!!!!!!