The return leg of the English encounter in the semifinals of the Champions League will be an explosive one to watch. Manchester United and Arsenal will be meeting for the third time this season and it is Arsenal who will feel the pressure. The march to Rome is the only trophy left for the North Londoners to compete in…
Arsenal
Arsenal defeated Manchester United 2-1 at the Emirates earlier this season in the Premier League, and have been relatively dominant over the Red Devils at home in recent years, winning two and drawing two in their last four seasons. In spite of this, Manchester United have scored in their last three meetings at the Gunners’ home ground, which may prove a worry for Arsene Wenger’s men.
Arsenal will likely play at the Emirates with the confidence that they lacked in much of the first tie against United, but whether this will be enough to secure victory remains to be seen, with Man Utd in fine form and poised to secure their third successive Premier League title.
Manchester United
Manchester United is leading with 1-0 from the first leg and this slender lead might be enough to secure their second consecutive appearance in the Champions League Final. In spite of the Red Devils having had the potential to put more goals in the back of the Arsenal net if it weren’t for an impressive performance by goalkeeper Manuel Almunia.
Manchester United will be full of confidence, knowing that they are now very close to hat-trick title in Premier League after their 2-0 weekend victory over Middlesbrough. They are now quite above the second placed Liverpool at the point table and this could also boost up Manchester United psychologically. No matter, the kind of challenge Arsenal poses at home; it seems that Ferguson boys would appear with their top form.
Form Guide
Arsenal
02/05/09 Portsmouth 0-3 Arsenal (EPL)
29/04/09 Man Utd 1-0 Arsenal (Champions League Semi 1st Leg)
26/04/09 Arsenal 2-0 Middlesbrough (EPL)
21/04/09 Liverpool 4-4 Arsenal (EPL)
18/04/09 Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea (FA Cup)
Manchester United
02/05/09 Middlesbrough 0-2 Man Utd (EPL)
29/04/09 Man Utd 1-0 Arsenal (Champions League Semi 1st Leg)
25/04/09 Man Utd 5-2 Tottenham (EPL)
22/04/09 Man Utd 2-0 Portsmouth (EPL)
19/04/09 Man Utd 0-0P Everton (FA Cup)
Team News
Wenger rested all but Bacary Sagna, Alex Song and Theo Walcott of his potential starters last weekend’s away game against Portsmouth. Denilson and Nicklas Bendtner, who bagged a brace against Pompey, are in their gaffer’s thoughts after strong performances. Robin van Persie and Mikael Silvestre will face late fitness tests while Gael Clichy, William Gallas and Eduardo da Silva remain sidelined. Song could drop into defence if Wenger doesn’t want to throw a fringe man like Johan Djourou in at the deep end.
For Red Devils, Edwin van der Sar, Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher and Rio Ferdinand were all completely omitted from the squad as United beat Middlesbrough at the weekend, and all could return. Ferguson remains hopeful over Ferdinand, with Jonny Evans on stand-by if the stopper, who suffered bruised lungs during the first leg, doesn’t make it. O’Shea, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra and Wayne Rooney all started, yet will likely line up again on Tuesday. Gary Neville remains injured, while fellow right-back Wes Brown is unlikely to be risked following his recent return to full training. Other players who performed well at the weekend include Park Ji-Sung, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, although Michael Carrick, Fletcher and Anderson could well return to the midfield, leaving Park and Carlos Tevez as high-impact subs.
(Source: Goal.com)
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