I would have thought Wenger may have rotated the players to try and get back into the game. Abou Diaby on the left, Samir Nasri in holding midfield and Francesc Fabregas behind Adebayor was not working

Match Review – Manchester United 1 Arsenal 0 – Champions League Semi Final 1st Leg

Yesterdays game was a classic case of glass half empty, half full. We went to Old Trafford high on confidence and the noises from our club before the match was about attacking Manchester United from the off and forcing our game onto them but in this case it was not to be.

Manchester United showed their intent from the first whistle and we struggled to live with their high tempo pass and move, direct football.

Arsene opted for Silvestre over Djourou in the center of defence. The midfield was guessed by many supporters before the game but what they would not have foreseen is the positions on the pitch of those players.

Wenger surprisingly kept Samir Nasri in the center of midfield with Abou Diaby taking the left wing position. Abou Diaby would have been included to add power and drive to the midfield but you would have expected that power to have come from the middle of midfield. Cesc Fabregas continued in his advanced midfield position with Song coming in for Denilson.

Manchster United pressed Arsenal high up the pitch, which is partly the reason why Carlos Tevez replaced Dimitar Berbatov in attack. We found it hard to get our rhythm early on in the game, Manchester United went for the throat.

It only took them 2 minutes to test our goal. Fletcher crossed to the back post onto the head of Wayne Rooney who looped a header towards the far corner but Almunia flew across his goal to tip it wide of the post. Great save.

The home team continued on the front foot and Tevez thought he scored from inside the 6 yard area but for another breathtaking save from Almunia who apparently does not win matches for us.

The first goal was basically gifted to Manchester United when we left the back post completely open for Ronaldo and O’Shea to take up their positions in front of Almunia. Michael Carrick’s cross was deflected off the boot of Silvestre which diverted the ball just past Ronaldo but onto the boot of John O’Shea to fire in off Almunia’s fingers tips into the roof of the net.

We witnessed that same type of defensive naivety against Liverpool when Benayoun fired in the equaliser in the last seconds of the game. Standing in a position inside the penalty unmarked is a crime of the highest order and we were duly punished.

It took us 26 minutes to have an attempt on goal, Cesc Fabregas had a snap shot from Adebayor’s lay off but it wasn’t powerful enough to trouble Van Der Sar.

Theo Walcott continuously had 3 men around him so he was almost completely marked out of the game. Without space to run Theo is nullified.

Almunia was up to his old tricks minutes before the half hour mark. Ronaldo headed towards Almunia from a Tevez cross but Almunia pulled out yet another wonderful stop. The tie could have been over in 30 minutes had it not have been for Manuel Almunia.

In the second half we were gradually getting back into the game but not enough to put Man United under a decent amount of pressure. I would have thought Wenger may have rotated the players to try and get back into the game. Abou Diaby on the left, Samir Nasri in holding midfield and Francesc Fabregas behind Adebayor was not working.

Cristiano Ronaldo who was having a good game swerved inside and unleashed a wonderful dipping pile driver off the face of the cross bar. Almunia was routed to the spot but luck was our side this time.

Ryan Giggs who came on in the second half had the ball in the net after rounding Almunia but he was flagged for offside.

I was praying that we would create a really goof chance but on the face of things. we were lucky for the score to only be 1-0.

Arsenal had a set piece in the 85th minute, Cesc floated it into the danger zone and Van Der Sar came to deal with but could not get anywhere near and Bendtner powered a header over the bar. A glance of Bendtner’s hair as apposed to his forehead would have seen the equaliser.

Rio Ferdinand had to be replaced because of a hip problem he picked up challenging a high ball. He could miss the return game which could be vital.

Eduardo replaced Adebayor by this stage but he could not force his way into the game. At full time I felt a sense of disappointment and relief. I was hoping for the team to step it up and show fight and determination but instead we were overpowered and pegged back. Thanks to Manuel Almunia we are still in this tie and have a chance of turning the game around at the Emirates. The problem is now stopping Manchester United scoring.