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Vintage Rivalry Review - Manchester United vs Arsenal, 29th August 2009

1990 – The Beginning
In reaction to a late challenge, McClair kicked Winterburn repeatedly, as he lay prone on the ground, igniting a 21 man fracas. FA docked Manchester United a point and recouped two points from Arsenal (who went on to win the 1990-91 league title). The Arsenal-Manchester United Rivalry was officially inaugurated!.

1996-2001 – The War of Words
The war of words started between Arsene and Fergie. Some of the exchanged verbal attacks included:

“I’ve got a 15-year-old boy from the Ivory Coast, he speaks five languages.” – Fergie, on arrival of Arsene in England in 1996.

“It’s wrong the league programme is extended so United can rest up and win everything.” – Arsene complaining about Manchester United’s fixture list in 1997.

“They wouldn’t have waited for three months if it was a United player…….our disciplinary record is tremendous. I’m very proud of it.” – Fergie on the delay of disciplinary hearings on Patrick Viera and Thierry Henry.

“One thing I will say is that he doesn’t disturb my nights at all. We didn’t do anything, but if we are clever, that’s a compliment.” – Arsene responded.

2001-2005 - The Tiffs, The Kicks and The Pizzas
10 years later after the first official kick, came the most fiercest period of rivalry between the two clubs. In the course of 2001-2005, EPL witnessed Kanu leaping over Wiltord to claim the title for Arsenal in 2001-02 at Old Trafford; Van NistelRooy missing the penalty and antics of Lauren and Keown; much-yearned battleground tiffs and the famous tunnel incident between Vieira and Keane before the kick-off; Neville’s frolics to kick every Arsenal player in the midfield, Rooney’s dive to break the gunners’ 49 unbeaten in league record and pizza chucked at Fergie after United 2004 victory at O.T.(In his autobiography, Ashley Cole made us yawn by giving the hint that the arsenal player behind the pizzagate incident was neither english nor french. Loser! i just can’t avoid him) and the list goes on.

Champions League Semi-Final 2009
After defeating Arsenal on aggregate 4-1, Evra declared “We were 11 men and they were 11 children.”. And these words are still alive in the heart of every gooner

Today - 29th August, 2009

Arsenal and Manchester United are back again today to lock their horns at Old Trafford. And, God and I yearn once again for a footclassical clash of the titans and the march of two clubs to the warpath of old rivalry.

Both the clubs have been weekend in the summer. As a tradition for both the clubs – Heroes came, Heroes Left.

But clubs will continue!

Today’s tie is just not just Arsenal against Manchester United for 3 points. Its beyond that.

Today’s tie could give a massive boost to Arsenal squad to firmly set on 2009-10 title challenge.

Today’s result may bring back the old days of Arsenal’s premier league authority.

Today’s tie may rekindle the old but subdued rivalry.

Today’s tie can prove it once again that Arsenal Manchester United Rivalry is indeed a Vintage Affair to cherish about.

Come on Gunnersssssssssss, Show them what you’ve got!
Roll on 9:45 pm !

Here is a preview video compiled by Comp-Art using latest clips.

Ciao.

God is a Gooner. Cheers!

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Carling Cup Third Round Draw: Arsenal Got Baggies

Arsenal (Kids) have drawn West Bromwich Albion in third round of Carling Cup draw. Arsenal were the first team to be drawn out of the hat and will play at home to advance to fourth round of the carling cup. The tie will be played in the week commencing September 21. For the record, Arsenal will start their 12th consecutive Champions league quest in Belgium against Standard Liege on September 16.

The full list of carling cup third round fixtures is given below:

Arsenal News: Fabregas to miss Manchester United Clash and Arsene is set to defend Dudu

I”ll start with the bad news first. Cesc Fabregas’ hamstring injury will keep him out of Saturday’s clash with Manchester United.

In an interview with Arsenal Online, Arsene confirmed Cesc’s absence and said,

“Fabregas is out and his test was not conclusive this morning.“Therefore he will not travel.

Ideally you want him to travel and to play but he would not be 100 per cent.

Everybody else who played on Wednesday is ok.”

Issues:
Will Arsene continue with 4-3-3 at Old Trafford?
I guess, he will. We should go roaring into this fanastic tie.

Now, the expected news. Arsene has called UEFA’s decision to charge Dudu illogical and is ready to defend the striker. Dudu has been accused to dive in Arsenal’s 3-1 Champions League Play-off round victory over Celtic when Bhoys’ keeper Boruc appeared to bring down the striker. The referee awarded the penalty to Arsenal and the croatian converted it in 28′ minute

Speaking in Friday’s pre-match conference, Arsene was vocal and vowed to fight against the decision. He said,

“He’s been charged, not charged guilty. We’ll defend our player.
It is completely [a] lack of logic in this case. Why? Because people have reacted emotionally, which I can understand.

Secondly, because this case has been rule by the media.”

Now, to me, I don't care much if Eduardo dived or not. Probably, boys have learnt the hard or dirty way of playing football. Hell, yeah! But, surely I won’t like any gunner doing that again on the pitch (unless you tell me its Champions league final and arsenal trailing 1-0 in 90′ min)

Singling out a single player and charging him for diving doesn’t make sense. It has to be a football-associations-wide movement. There have been obvious cases of diving (Did i say ronaldo? When did i say Drogba?) and English FA didn’t raise its eye-brows. They might have seen that too as a busineess opportunity in some way. But i guess Scottish FA is furious over Celtic’s elimination and Platini of course needs a reason against Premier League.

Expecting a debate.

Anyways, God is a Gooner. Come on you Red and Whites! Cheers!

Quote Of The Day

We'll take what we discovered, as best we can, into the weekend's fixture at home to Burnley. Every season, there's a club of whom little is expected who steam away at the start of the season and hoist themselves to the top of the table, in a glorious, but inevitably short, burst of flames. Last year it was Hull. This year it looks like it's going to be Tottenham. Tottenham are this year's Hull.

Giles Smith

Bet Of the Day: First Premier Manager to Leave in 2009/10 – Rafa 7/1

Quote Of The Day

"Didier Drogba's downward header goes over the bar"

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