http://www.christie.nhs.uk/press/2007/pix/300707.jpghttp://www.justsoccerjerseys.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/arsenal-fc-badge.png

Manchester United FC will host Arsenal FC in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final on 29 April, the latest contest between two rivals who have produced some thrilling and controversial matches over the years. They first met 115 years ago, a 3-3 draw, and have played each other a total of 204 times, with United holding the edge courtesy of 82 wins to Arsenal's 77.

Manchester United and Arsenal have never previously met in a match in European competition.

However, Manchester United have played English opposition five times in Europe and Arsenal have played another English team four times.

United have never been knocked out of European competition by an English club; The Gunners have never progressed from a European tie against another English club. They lost 3-2 on aggregate against Chelsea in a 2003-04 Champions League quarter-final and lost 5-3 to Liverpool at the same stage last season.

Danish referee Claus Bo Larsen has been appointed to take charge of the Champions League tie between Manchester United and Arsenal on Wednesday.

Larsen is already known to United, having refereed the UEFA Super Cup final in August when he sent off Paul Scholes for two bookable offences during the 2-1 defeat by Zenit St Petersburg.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson did not contest the dismissal at the time, admitting that the referee made the correct decision.

Larsen, 43, speaks English fluently and also refereed Arsenal's 0-0 draw with Milan last season.

Discuss:blah:

What a great rivalry.....personally, I can't wait!!!

I think United will make this, but these matches live their own lives.

I think United will make this, but these matches live their own lives.

perfectly put up by nor above!

Ronaldo and Fabregas to get into an argument only for Rooney to remember that Ronaldo got him sent off at the World Cup and join in, both teams do a West Side Story brawl, the entire Utd. side gets suspended, Arshavin gets to a special permission to play and scores another 4.

You'll see.

United 2 - 0 Arsenal

Rooney and Ronaldo.

At least I hope.

i want arsenal to win purely because i hate united.

Ronaldo and Fabregas to get into an argument only for Rooney to remember that Ronaldo got him sent off at the World Cup and join in, both teams do a West Side Story brawl, the entire Utd. side gets suspended, Arshavin gets to a special permission to play and scores another 4.

You'll see.

There was, is and will be only one LAVDALOOT.



YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST.

Kawntinj yawr chukins biff'or thaej hajch:

Preparations are being made for a homecoming parade for Manchester United if the club wins the Champions League, BBC Manchester has learnt....

1-1, with Arsenal dominating.

Preparations are being made for a homecoming parade for Manchester United if the club wins the Champions League, BBC Manchester has learnt....

LOL at BBC.:innocent_smile_1:

Really shameful.

I hate both teams...don't care who wins

I just hope there will be no boring 0:0 match.

I hope to God that Arsenal wins, I've got 50 bucks on them.

50 big ones!?

Why would you put that on an away team at Old Trafford?
0-3 to Arsenal

Adebayor *2 and Theo Walcott.

I've got a good feeling about this one. If Liverpool managed to score 4 at Old Trafford, why woldn't Arsenal do the same? (H)

I'm gonna win 225 $ (H)

This should be an exciting match.

Tevez and Rooney already robbed by Almunia. And O'Shea scores. Why does he always score on Arsenal?

ggggggggggggggggggggoooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa llllll!!! oshea!!!

A completely different game than yesterdays, and all the back and forth action to go with it.

If by back and forth you mean United spending 90% of the time in Arsenal's half... Running them ragged right now.

Almunia already man of the match.

Only reason ManU aren't 3-0 down... And yeah, they are dominating the game

Tevez is so much better than Berbs. He works so much harder and creates more chances.

United should sell Berbs this summer and pay whatever they have to in order to keep Tevez.

Anderson is looking fantastic as well, he should be starting more games.

There needs to be a lot more support for Adebayor. We're very slow at putting a counter attack together because we're worried about defending.

Let's come out, stroke the ball around, get behind the defenders and Adebayor needs to be in middle and get on the end of some of those. Otherwise we're digging our own whole here and no matter how good we are at home it probably won't be enough.

COME ON!!!!

i hve a strange feeling, we really blew it sumhow
should have scored 2
should have
......
.....
but for almunia..gr8 saves
and ronnies thudnerbolt hittin the woodwork :(

Terrible. I hate how we don't shoot, it's annoying.

WIth Tevez on united were mazing on offense Berba**** came out united went downhill lol

regardless complete domination and unlucky not to win 5/6-0

just one goal, that's not fair.

Fantastic result. Though could have scored more and might have put the match out of arsenals reach.

went on the attack mode on the word go almunia made some crucial saves..
the back 4 were fantastic as ever , hope rio is alright.

Fletcher, Carrick and Anderson just owned that midfield.

Rooney and Ronaldo awsome .

My man of the match had to be fletcher , fantastic performance by the most
under-rated of players.

Advantage United , although a slight one at that.:browsmiley:

I didn't think Ronaldo did much today. He had that one real thumper but other than that, he spent a lot of time on the ground with his hands up.

If I were running United, today's starting 11 would be my every day lineup.

Almunia was the man of the match, no one else should even be suggested. It was United vs Manuel Almunia, not Arsenal.

Fabregas waited for too long before shooting, around 25 minutes into the 1st half. He was looking for the perfect shot and it never came....he could only come up with a soft one and that was that for him.......for the rest of the game! He was really quite dozy out there.

United were a bit slower in the 2nd half but Arsenal, as a team, was still unable to come close. They are so much more dangerous with Arshavin......what a shame.

Cesc has never been the best shooter in the world. We really missed Arshavin and van Persie for this one.

I think Tottenham pay Bendtner to be **** as a laugh or something because he's a nightmare.

Well I should be thankful it was only 1-0 considering how poor we were, but I'm really not optimistic about the second leg. I just can't see Utd not scoring and its hard to see us getting 3. Wenger needs to get the players extra pumped for this because if its not one of our best performances of the season we won't go through.
It would also help immensely if Ferdinand is out because its hard to see us scoring at all against Ferdinand and Vidic, they're absolute monsters, as opposed to Toure and Silvestre:clapwap:

Its a shame that Ashavin can't play, he is a game changer and would really add to your attack. On the plus side, you will be able to count on him next season.

Kolo isn't bad but Silvestre is just awful, he's actually a severe downgrade from Cygan who could at least complete a pass.

Diaby didn't impress me at all, Adebayor looked lost when he was up on that island all by himself.

I'd have brought on Eduardo earlier to try and change the tempo some. Adebayor wasn't going to out muscle those two big men at the back, they also had Carrick dropping back in support which made it even tougher.

We lack grit. Fabregas brings a lot but no other player showed a willingness to really get stuck in. That's where we miss Vieira still, and even a Ray Parlour type figure. In the summer I'd like to see us bring in Lorik Cana.

1-0 does allow us a bit of hope and that's all down to Almunia.

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/2937/gibbs.gif

i hve a strange feeling, we really blew it

Blew it by winning 1-0 at home? :clapwap:

Blew it by winning 1-0 at home? :clapwap:

no not winning 6-0 and putting tie away

Cygan who could at least complete a pass.



I heard Cygan was tearing it up in la Liga (H)!!!!!! the last I heard of him. lol


Guys to be honest you guys can't seriously be that tough on Berbatov. Especially when the end of 08 start of 09 hasn't been all too great for him. I really think by the start of next season he'll be use to the tactics Man UTD play. But I'll agree on Tevez starting over Berbatov anyday.


For some reason I would love for Arsenal to grab Senna from Villarreal. I think he'll tear it up with Fabregas in the midfield.

So Robin Van Persie is back. Wenger is promising a different Arsenal. It's a shame that Arshavin can't play in the CL.

This is where Cesc Fabregas needs to have the game of his life.

Gotta admire the confidence that Wegner is putting out. If they do come out attacking, as it is being promised, then it should be a very good game. Unless of course ManU score, that will just deflate the Arsenal team

Well we have to attack, we can't defend worth crap.

I heard Cygan was tearing it up in la Liga (H)!!!!!! the last I heard of him. lol


Guys to be honest you guys can't seriously be that tough on Berbatov. Especially when the end of 08 start of 09 hasn't been all too great for him. I really think by the start of next season he'll be use to the tactics Man UTD play. But I'll agree on Tevez starting over Berbatov anyday.


For some reason I would love for Arsenal to grab Senna from Villarreal. I think he'll tear it up with Fabregas in the midfield.

and ur all about tearing it up :innocent_smile_1:

(y)

20 Minutes Left.

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Fabregas, Toure, Nasri, Van Persie, Walcott, Song, Djourou, Adebayor, Gibbs.
Man Utd: Van der Sar, Evra, Ferdinand, Ronaldo, Anderson, Rooney, Park, Vidic, Carrick, O'Shea, Fletcher.

Wow... I'm not an Arsenal fan, yet I'm already feeling bad for them. I think this game is done.

game over, man.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

http://www.graphicsarcade.com/comments/good_bye/good_bye_comment_graphic_04.gif

2-0 after 30 minutes - that's pretty much it, I think.

Poor Arse, I really thought they could at least tie the aggregate. 4 goals against ManU, with the way they're playing? Game over.

we shouldn't concede in a first 15 minutes of second half.

Nice to see Arsenal are showing grit and passion after conceding the 2 goals.

NAWT! I fell asleep after 20 minutes, this has been a borefest.

What a counter attack. What. A. Goal.

****! Start injuring people at least, you **** Gooners, the derby's this weekend! :(

That was agreat counter attack and show of team play.

rossetti wtf! fletcher did desrve the red card... you guys are gonna miss him in the final

Terrible penalty kick/red card decision. Hopefully we appeal.

Boo hoo Fletcher is awful anyway

it was a legit penalty and red card.

it was a legit penalty and red card.

you're the only one to say that idiot ... I'm so sad for fletcher .... Beckham celebration in a crowd was priceless.

by the way, what's your idea about 6-2?

Fletcher clearly got the ball first, as shown on replays and echoed by the commentators. Kinda takes the luster off a bit of getting to the final.

Oh and the beckham celebration was hilarious

EDIT:
From the live soccernet gamecast minute by minute report : "What a horrible decision from the referee. Fletcher clipped the ball away from Fabregas after he went clean through but the ref gives a penalty to Arsenal and sends the United man off. He'll miss the final now, so, so unjustly."

Boo hoo Fletcher is awful anyway

Yes and I reckon you didn't watch the match..

Fletcher clearly got the ball first, as shown on replays and echoed by the commentators. Kinda takes the luster off a bit of getting to the final.
Oh and the beckham celebration was hilarious

EDIT:
From the live soccernet gamecast minute by minute report : "What a horrible decision from the referee. Fletcher clipped the ball away from Fabregas after he went clean through but the ref gives a penalty to Arsenal and sends the United man off. He'll miss the final now, so, so unjustly."

that's true, itv said no chance for appeal, is that true?

WOW
WOW
WOW
well
we outplayed the gooners
absolutely awesome stuff
bring on any team now..we have our form back i feel
i feel sooo sad for fletcher :(
it was a harsh decision
referee had a bad day...

ronaldo now has 25 goals this season too...class...

Absolutely gutted for Fletcher. He's been fantastic for us. He had a huge chance of starting the final.

I hope this result doesn't get to the heads of the Utd fans too much. Are they the better team? Yes, but by nowhere near as much as the scoreline and match showed. You got two goals out of nothing which killed off the game and I don't really blame the Arsenal players for not going on 100% after Utd's second goal.

So just to clarify I think Utd are the better team, and probably the best team in Europe, but this result flattered them and we simply didn't see anywhere near the best of Arsenal tonight.

^^^^LOL. We owned Arsenal. Should have been more.

Poor Fletcher. Fvck the referee.

Really sad for him.

Great win. At the end, Bring on Barca/Chelsea, anyone.:skip_e:

you're the only one to say that idiot ... I'm so sad for fletcher .... Beckham celebration in a crowd was priceless.

by the way, what's your idea about 6-2?

Am I? Ha, well the commentators that I was listening to said the same thing... But seriouly, WTF is the point or arguing. It is just like the tottenham penalty, Some people say it was others say it wasn't. Meh, Like if I care

And what's your point with the 6-2 score line?? is that the only thing you can come up with??

Am I? Ha, well the commentators that I was listening to said the same thing... But seriouly, WTF is the point or arguing. It is just like the tottenham penalty, Some people say it was others say it wasn't. Meh, Like if I care

And what's your point with the 6-2 score line?? is that the only thing you can come up with??

you think that's "only".

what did ur 6-2 comment mean anyways?

it was a legit penalty and red card.

It was a foul since it was a tackle from behind, but common. Red card? He touched the ******* ball. It wasn't like a challenge out of nowhere where he just wanted to bring him down. He went for the ball and he wasn't even the last defender there. It was a penalty IMO but shouldn't have been red. Yellow card at most.

O'k O'k.. I'm not the one who decided to sent him off. Just posted after the comments from the commentators I heard

you think that's "only".

I sure do... I don't see the relevance of bringing it up, unless thats the only thing you can come up with..

here I can do the same... What do you think about that Liverpool 4-1??

Poor Fletcher. Fvck the referee.


Why fvck the referee? He just did his job.

It's poor Fletcher, but I would say more stupid Fletcher. His team was wining 3-0 (agg. 4-0) and he does a tackle from behind (as the last player) inside the box. :(


and btw, why no one here is saying: Yes, we did it, we are in the fvking final, but you're talking for Fletcher? lol

Dude you protesting for the ref? He was clearly stupid to give him a red card. Yes, at hindsight probably Fletcher should have let him go and score the goal, huh? But, seeing the proper team man as he is, he would never do that. He did the right thing, went for the ball and won the ball, cleanly. Its is just the ref's stupidity, he went as per the norm, and went and booked him, for a tackle from behind, although there was no hint of a tackle there.

That's why Fvck the ref.

O'k O'k.. I'm not the one who decided to sent him off. Just posted after the comments from the commentators I heard



I sure do... I don't see the relevance of bringing it up, unless thats the only thing you can come up with..

here I can do the same... What do you think about that Liverpool 4-1??

I'm still mad & sad about that but we are at the top of EPL and just went through CL final, well we won Carling Cup, Fifa Club cup and Community shield as well. When I think about our success this year, it helps me to overcome that pain.

how about you? I'll give you credit to defend few match points before that game, set, match (credit to arnau) from Barca.

and btw, why no one here is saying: Yes, we did it, we are in the fvking final, but you're talking for Fletcher? lol

I said that in the Man U thread :D But i think I'm the only one who said that :(

Common guys get over it. We did it (H)

how about you? I'll give you credit to defend few match points before that game, set, match (credit to arnau) from Barca.

There's a thread about the Barca-Madrid game. Why discuss this here? :rolleyes:

and btw, why no one here is saying: Yes, we did it, we are in the fvking final, but you're talking for Fletcher? lol

You know why dude, coz we are not easily impressed. We need to win the title. Like you Barca fans, we don't celebrate after defeating/thrashing teams, without any silverware at the end.

We need silverware. And seeing us picking up the title (hopefully), without fletcher, will be aweful. Thats why we are so sad.

You know why dude, coz we are not easily impressed. We need to win the title. Like you Barca fans, we don't celebrate after defeating/thrashing teams, without any silverware at the end.

We need silverware. And seeing us picking up the title (hopefully), without fletcher, will be aweful. Thats why we are so sad.

+ we are used to be champions, its not something new!!!!:33vff3o:

^^^^ Yes forgot that.

You know why dude, coz we are not easily impressed. We need to win the title. Like you Barca fans, we don't celebrate after defeating/thrashing teams, without any silverware at the end.

We need silverware. And seeing us picking up the title (hopefully), without fletcher, will be aweful. Thats why we are so sad.

you dont know anything about madrid- barça rivality, what that match means for us, what this 2-6 mean for a country and for a club, you words, as always, come from the ignorance so next time you talk about barça clean the mouth before :bob: hidden madrid fan (only because your other team besides man U suck right now) :bob:

You guys be happy with defeating Madrid 6-2. I am not gonna poke my nose in your fun. I didn't even say anything about that match.

If at the end you don't win the UCL and we win it. Who will be the better TEAM?

you dont know anything about madrid- barça rivality, what that match means for us, what this 2-6 mean for a country and for a club, you words, as always, come from the ignorance so next time you talk about barça clean the mouth before :bob: hidden madrid fan (only because your other team besides man U suck right now) :bob:

there was a argument between me and madrid fan about that 6-2 so he wanted to cool down things. He talked about barca fans in SG thread not catalan fans.

we all know how much that results mean to you and your catalunyan people. don't take any offence.

We need silverware. And seeing us picking up the title (hopefully), without fletcher, will be aweful. Thats why we are so sad.

Common get real man, thats footy. We'll miss one player in the final due to some controversial ref decision. There's nothing we can do. Just get over it, we are in the final for god's sake! Pity that Fletcher won't play though. He's been vital this season especially in our 4-5-1 formation with 3 in the middle.

You guys be happy with defeating Madrid 6-2. I am not gonna poke my nose in your fun. I didn't even say anything about that match.

If at the end you don't win the UCL and we win it. Who will be the better TEAM?

lets discuss those thing tommorow night.

Ok Man. I am really emo, u knw.

Yes Pack the bags for Rome. Will be a feast. Hope the Italian police don't mess it up for United fans.

lets discuss those thing tommorow night.

I didn't start dude. Am sorry Arnau if I have hurt u.

Common get real man, thats footy. We'll miss one player in the final due to some controversial ref decision. There's nothing we can do. Just get over it, we are in the final for god's sake! Pity that Fletcher won't play though. He's been vital this season especially in our 4-5-1 formation with 3 in the middle.

ya, you're right + maybe uefa do something about that? afterall its a final!!!

come one, if messi yellow card for recive a penalty wast removed why they has to remove this one?

Platini does not want to see an English team win the UCL thats why.

yes, becuase darren fletcher its the key united player...

not an argument, the german scum steal us in camp nou.

evra said it was men against children, I think he should get a yellow card for this and miss a final match.

LOL....

I am going now. Bye....Arnau and buti take care...cya.....and Rob as well.....

Yes and I reckon you didn't watch the match..

Well I just managed to keep my eyes open during the snoozefest to witness it.

I watch Fletcher most weeks (if he can even make the squad), a player of any actual quality would be guaranteed his position week in week out like Ferdinand, Vidic are.

Aswell as that he gives possession away regularly, it was a blessing for United, now Fergie has one less average midfielder to pick from.

That.........was............AWFUL!!!

Way to go down fighting, Arsenal.

^^^^LOL. We owned Arsenal. Should have been more.

Poor Fletcher. Fvck the referee.

Really sad for him.

Great win. At the end, Bring on Barca/Chelsea, anyone.:skip_e:

Utd dominated the first leg at OT, but that was to be expected with our injuries. We didn't dominate the match like we always do at the Emirates because after 11 minutes it was all over. That's why Wenger said something like it feels like we didn't play a CL semifinal today, because the match ended after 11 minutes. So even though you did somewhat control the game today don't get too excited about it because this was nowhere near the real Arsenal today.

^^
i won't argue that. i was a little disappointed with Arsenal to be honest. I was expecting a tense, high energy affair between the two most successful teams in the last 2 decades of English football. What I got was considerably less than that.

Damn, Ronaldo is too fast to furious for every one. Have you seen how he ran when they scored third goal? He's faster than the Road Runner.

http://galaxiu.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/road-runner.jpg

Utd dominated the first leg at OT, but that was to be expected with our injuries. We didn't dominate the match like we always do at the Emirates because after 11 minutes it was all over. That's why Wenger said something like it feels like we didn't play a CL semifinal today, because the match ended after 11 minutes. So even though you did somewhat control the game today don't get too excited about it because this was nowhere near the real Arsenal today.

Excuses..Excuses...Excuses. Just admit it like a man. You were blown away by us on ur own turf. Ronaldo tore you guys apart.

he aint makin excuses it is a FACT. We blew them off the field in first 10 minutes alri but when u need 4 goals without conceding its pretty hard to perform your best?

Darren should of never put himself in that situation. just let cesc score wouldnt of changed that game at all, its his own fault.

Drunk Bendtner after the match! (H)

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/05/06/article-1177833-04D2B940000005DC-627_468x695.jpg

Link (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1177833/Dropped-Arsenal-star-Niklas-Bendtners-trousers--shameful-exit-club-team-crash-Europe.html) with more pics.

^^^^^^^ AHAHAHAHAHAHA

In some really sad news.

Fan hangs himself in Kenya after Arsenal loose.

Link (http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25440670-23215,00.html)

An Arsenal fan in football-mad Kenya hanged himself following his team's 4-1 aggregate drubbing by arch-rivals Manchester United in the Champions League semi-final, police said.
Suleiman Alphonso Omondi, a 29-year-old Kenyan living in the capital Nairobi's Embakasi neighbourhood, hanged himself in his Arsenal shirt after the match, police said.
"We were watching the match at Bamba 70 pub, and when Arsenal was defeated, Suleiman just walked out in protest and he was crying," Calvin Otieno, one of his friends, said.
"We didn't know he was going to hang himself until this morning when we received the reports and came here to find his body at the balcony," Otieno said outside the deceased's home.
Arsenal slumped to a 3-1 defeat at home in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final, capping a disappointing season for the Gunners who were already out of the Barclays Premier League title race early in the season.
Football-related domestic tragedies are frequent in the region, where English clubs enjoy passionate following and European games draw more attention than national and continental games.

Platini does not want to see an English team win the UCL thats why.

I think they do that to give more respect to the referees and more authority.

We're inexperienced but we were beaten by a clearly better side.

I'll say it now, they're the Champions of Europe again.

God Bless You, Bobby.

Excuses..Excuses...Excuses. Just admit it like a man. You were blown away by us on ur own turf. Ronaldo tore you guys apart.

I'll admit that Utd are the better team and deserved to go through, but to say you blew us away on our own turf is oversimplifying it. You got two goals out of nothing which made the next 80 minutes synthetic and meaningless. And Ronaldo does always give us a very tough time, but I think his free kick should have been kept out, it was a great shot but he should never be scoring from there from a free kick.

Drunk Bendtner after the match! (H)

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/05/06/article-1177833-04D2B940000005DC-627_468x695.jpg

Link (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1177833/Dropped-Arsenal-star-Niklas-Bendtners-trousers--shameful-exit-club-team-crash-Europe.html) with more pics.

LOL. That's great how he covers his face (unsuccessfully) while his pants are hanging open.