RedsUnite: a man utd blog

That was simple. Arsenal was roundly embarrassed by an unquestionably superior Manchester United today. Exhibiting absolutely none of the qualities that have placed them atop the Premier League table and all of the qualities that make them such a despicable, loathsome club, Arsenal may not have fielded their first choice side, but their performance was anything but first class.

From William Gallas being forced to eat his words, to Emmanuel Eboue’s straight red, to Cesc Fabregas’ disappearing act, to Emmanuel Adebayor’s laughable dive, Arsenal were not simply defeated, they humiliated themselves. As Arsenal’s captain, one would think that Gallas would know better. Running your mouth to a side as potent as United is comically ill-advised. While we may have exhibited the “arrogance” that Gallas spoke of, there is a reason for that. We are arrogant because at our best we can defeat clubs like Arsenal with our second choice side. Players like Ji-Sung Park and Darren Fletcher looked like world-beaters, while players who are normally in Arsenal’s first-choice side did nothing but sully their own representations and their clubs name.

I can’t wait to hear the explanations from Arsenal and their supporters in the coming days. They began setting up safety nets days ago, with blogs like Arseblog making statements like:

“As always a game against United is spicy but the spice is somewhat less spicy due to both teams having their eye on bigger prizes. I don’t think there’s any psychological war to won today. I could easily cope with losing here today if it meant not losing in the league. All in all I don’t really know what to make of today’s game. I feel like I should really care but I’m not sure that I do.”

Well apparently all the disinterest Arseblogger has expressed permeated Arsenal’s side today. Whatever has inspired the Gunners fantastic form this season must have been left at Emirates Stadium. There weren’t simply a couple of Arsenal players off the pace today, the whole side looked as though it was sluggish and spiritless. To make matters worse for them, they responded to adversity in the most childish of ways. Hours late into tackles, diving at every opportunity, and taking cheap shots, like Gallas’ unseen kick at the back of Nani’s leg. If the mettle of champions is tested when a team is up against it, Arsenal certainly looked like anything but prizewinners.

While today may not have been a match-up of Manchester United and Arsenal’s best sides, Arsenal’s Achilles’ heel has been exposed. When healthy, Arsenal can field a first-choice side that rivals the strength of the best clubs in Europe. They possess a first XI that is worthy of respect and, to some degree, fear. Move beyond that first XI, however, and today’s Emperor has no clothes. Arsenal probably was well-served to have been eliminated today. Clearly, they are a side whose depth would not have permitted them to pursue a three-pronged trophy pursuit. They’ll have all they can do to hold on to the five point spread they have earned, so being able to avoid three or four additional fixtures should prove to be a blessing for this mile-wide, inch-deep club.

I’ll be back tomorrow with a more descriptive review of our performances, but there really isn’t any point. If you missed today’s match you missed a beauty. There was little else United could have done to prove their superiority. Even in their theatrics–like Rooney’s well-earned yellow card for playing keep away with Gilberto or Nani’s seal dribble that inspired Gallas childish retaliation later on–United were the more convincing team. While psychological victories may not really exist, United may have scored one today. Arsenal must now know that if they are to hold onto their lead it will be a struggle, for their depth is inexistent and they look to be fatigued. I was feeling a bit defeated going into today’s match, but what a difference a week makes. United have regained the form that made them Champions and Arsenal have stood face to face with our will and they cowered like scared children.