A game where expectations didn't meet with reality.

   

 

       There it was – the clash of the titans so they would say, two English giants colliding in one match where one’s aim was to get that top spot back and the other was to reach the top 4. Arsenal vs Manchester United, a fixture that would get everyone at the edge of their seat, a rivalry that has been going on for more than a decade. These two teams have played out some amazing matches. For instance, going back to the 1999 semi-final of the FA Cup where United took the lead through David Beckham but only to be hit back by Dennis Bergkamp’s equaliser. The match took another turn for the worst when United’s captain Roy Keane was sent off. After immense pressure from Arsenal, their captain at that time, Patrick Vieira gives the ball to the one and only Ryan Giggs who passes 3 players and scores the winner for United. I don’t think anyone would have forgotten that *hairy* celebration. Having said that, it was definitely a match to be remembered. United went on to win the FA Cup that year and also achieved a treble. As expected, Arsenal rebuilded their squad and came back much stronger to have a season which saw them undefeated in the league and the second team to become “The Invincibles” after Preston North End in the year 2004. However, United ended that undefeated streak at Old Trafford with a 2-0 win the following season. These scorelines 0-0, 2-1, 4-2, 8-2, 6-1, 2-2, 3-1 have all been very very good matches indeed. Not forgetting the legends that have played in these matches with the likes of Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Thierry Henry. These matches also had some rather funny incidents where Arsene Wenger kicks a bottle and gets sent to the stands, another being a pizza thrown at Sir Alex Ferguson in the tunnel and some serious ones where Beckham gets hit by a boot kicked by Sir Alex in the dressing room and the Vieira/Keane fights. All these incidents mark how significant this rivalry really is.

 

     Fast forward to 2013/2014 season, Arsenal have rebuilded their squad once again and have proven that they can be title contenders. However for Manchester United, this is a time of change and it will take time to adjust to the farewell of Sir Alex, in my opinion, the best manager in the world. Moving on to the game where expectations didn’t meet with reality.  Just last night, Arsenal and United played out a 0-0 stalemate that saw both teams stay where they stand in the league. It was a fairly entertaining match with a lot of nervousness with both teams. Olivier Giroud came closest for Arsenal to break the deadlock and so was Robin Van Persie for United. Both goalkeepers were also equally good on the night. The reverse fixture saw United win 1-0 at Old Trafford. Having said that, last night’s match showed that both teams have their own style and are having problems of their own.  As a football fan, it’s good to see how rivalries are played out and the passion that goes through it. I’m a die-hard Manchester United fan myself and I live for that passion that goes through a game. To all Manchester United fans out there, it’s not over for us, we will always come back stronger and  prove the doubters wrong. GGMU!

 

This is my first blog so please do go easy on me. Hope you football fans like it!

 

*The blogger wishes to thank his friend Eong Wei for helping him set up the blog*