Manchester United Defeated Arsenal 2-0 in FA Cup

Last Saturday evening at the Old Trafford Stadium , Manchester United FC won over  Arsenal FC 2-0 in a FA Cup quarter-final tie to be included in the teams to play at  Wembley for the 27th FA Cup semi-final game.
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On the 28th minute, Manchester's forward, Fabio, scored a sliding cross from a looseball by Arsenal Goalie Manuel Almunia that came from a strong shot given by Manchester United forward Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez on the left side of the pitch. Manchester United Wayne Rooney Hat trick gave the 2nd goal for United.

Rafael shot the ball but was deflected by Arsenal defender Johan Djourou that bounced to the awaiting Wayne Rooney. It was great that Wayne Rooney was at the exact place to hammer the ball with his head.

This is Arsenal's third competition that they failed to qualify in the span of less than two weeks. Their remaining  tournament will be at the Barclay Premier League which they hoped to emerge victorious after a six year draught.

Manchester United Wayne Rooney was in his best form for  this game.  He was playing with such gusto and with  brilliance play-making that the fans are waiting to see all season, but was absent.

Manchester's Brazilian twins Rafael and Fabio were full of excitement to be able play side by side. Fabio's goal, his second goal from Manchester, was created by passing to Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez.

One of the most memorable performance and highlight of the game was that of Manchester United goalie Edwin van der Sar.  The 41 year old was consistent and provided several important saves that he became the valuable player for Manchester. Van der Sar will surely fill a big gap to Manchester United defense next season.

Manchester will be playing in the Champions league's last 16 against Marseille with confidence. Antonio Valecia will also give additional fire power for Manchester United.  He played for 45 minutes for the first time as a substitute, after a broken ankle sidelined him since September.

Manchester United vs Arsenal: The Best Goal In the History of FA Cup

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Venue Old Trafford  

Tickets Sold out  

Best Cup run Manchester United (winners, 11) Arsenal (winners, 10)  

Referee C Foy  

Odds Manchester United 17-20 Arsenal 11-4 Draw 12-5







Now that Manchester United will face again Arsenal in the Premier League it is necessary  to relive  the best goal of FA Cup's  history. The goal Ryan Giggs made will always be remembered as the best goal  FA cup's history when Manchester United met Arsenal in the FA semi final cup 1999.

The first game was a draw , but the rematch  at Villa Park was very exciting, the first to took the  shot was  David Beckham, he kick a wonderful shot away from David Seaman in  the first half, then the equalizer came from  Dennis Bergkamp, when his shot was deflected by  Jaap Stam to even the game. Manchester United tem captain Roy Keane receive his second yellow card and was sent off near the end of the game, Arsenal was awarded by a free kick, but Bergkamp's penalty kick was spoiled by Peter Schmeichel.

Down by one man, Manchester United  would take on the lead thank to the beautiful attack of Ryan Giggs.

He was able to intercept the ball from Manchester United's side after a long ground pass  from Arsenal Patrick Vieira in the middle of the field, Ryan Giggs took charges for a solo attack as if he wanted to win desperately, beating Vieira by doing a shoulder fake who wanted to remedy the error pass, then  Giggs dribbled  straight but full back Lee Dixon was ahead of him  and was about to  cut his path. so he made a right fake dribble that disoriented Lee away from him to the right.

With Dixon on his right  and Martin Keown on his left. Martin Keown is also aware that  Giggs  teamate  Andy Cole was on the leftmost side, at that instant three Arsenal Players are in arms length ready to take the ball away from him. But  Cole was trying to draw Martin on his side away from Giggs. Then Giggs squeeze the ball between his legs while Keown and Dixon were on the side, Martin tried to desperately insert a foot on the ball but he made a dribble left and right inside his legs that avoided the ball from being hit.

With his arm he warded Dixon away, then Ryan Giggs hammered a powerful straight flying ball above the arms of  David Seaman at the left top post, seconds late is  the sliding tackle of Tony Adams.

This is surely the most famous celebration in FA Cup history  up to now , as he runs away and taking off his Shirt towards the ecstatic  fans of Manchester United.

Arsenal was not able to regain their one man advantage and  Giggs' goal won the match for Manchester Unites. That goal became the most memorable shot in FA cup history. Manchester United became the champions of that  season with the help of Ryan Giggs.

Arsenal's Robin Van Persie Fit To Play Against Barcelona

Arsenal FC Player Robin Van Persie has surprised the Arsenal Fans that the Striker will be able to play in the Champions League to face Barcelona after having seen practicing on Monday. The Barcelona vs  Arsenal Champions League Games will be the last 16 teams to qualify.

Robin Van Persie was not on the official line up to face Barcelona at CampNou when he experienced an injured knee after scoring against Birmingham last February.

Arsenal news website has shown pictures on Robin Van Persie joining the practice without a hint of injury, a probable anticipation that he will be included in Arsene Wenger's first eleven to face Barcelona together with their newly returning team Captain Cesc Fabregas.

Van Persie returned to Netherland for the knee surgery that kept him from playing against Sunderland on the Premier League. 

Arsene Wenger was not expecting to field in Van Persie until the end of March. In an interview with Arsene Wenger after the Carling Cup final last February 27, he said, "I am not a specialist.  But he overstretched his knee at the back when he made the volley [to score against Birmingham]. 

He got kicked or blocked by the defender and overstretched when he hit the ball. In fact he lost Van Persie after 30 minutes, he tried to keep going in the second half but he was injured.

"It is a ligament at the back of the knee, a tear in the ligament. It is three to four weeks, I take the short delay because I am an optimist but it could be four. As well it is the international break during that period so whether it is three or four [weeks], for us it is the same."

Arsenal Will Win Over Manchester United In The Premier league

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It is a bleak possibility that Manchester City will emerge as Champion of the Premier League. They would need ten straight wins from the remaining ten matches if City wants to catch up with the two top positions being handled by Manchester United and Arsenal. Manchester and Arsenal will have to intentionally lose all their games for City to overrun them to the Premier League Champions.

The fans will be entertained by exciting matches from Arsenal as they face powerful opponents like Liverpool and Manchester united. But the Arsenal schedule is much better compared to their head to head opponent Manchester United who is currently holding the top position.

Arsenal Coach Arsene Wenger's was not able to win against Sunderland this weekend. With nine games left, they need to catch up the four point lead of Manchester United and with Rooney playing at his best; it will be an exciting season for the fans.

Arsenal failed to win the Carling Cup final and put an end to the 6 year drought last weekend, but Arsenal fight back in a commanding 5-0 FA Cup win over League One side Leyton Orient which, in turn, set up a quarter-final tie with Manchester United on March 12th.

Their ride through to the last 8 of the FA Cup means that Coach Wenger’s band of players headed by Cesc Fabregas will now focus all their energy to Barcelona and United within a four-day gap before facing West Brom the week after.

Arsenal will have to make sure that their players will not be injured as they face three important competitions up to the Champions League final on the 28th of May. With Wenger's young players against Ferguson's player, they may be able to win the much needed 2010/11 premiere league season.