Arsenal captain Francesc Fabregas struck an emphatic deuce to help his side to victory over visiting Middlesbrough on Sunday lunchtime to help the Gunners go into their midweek Champions League semi-final against Manchester United in a confident mood.The Spaniard, though, believes that the Red Devils are one of the game’s most formidable outfits of all time.He also added that deep-lying forward Wayne Rooney and fleet-footed trickster Cristiano Ronaldo are United’s potential match-winners.He told the News of the World, "I have no problem saying United are one of the best clubs in the world, even though I want to beat them."They are the best side in the world at the moment, a top, top side and we respect them a lot. In fact, they are one of the best clubs in history."I respect [United manager] Alex Ferguson for what he has achieved. There have been some great battles over the years and I am sure these two games will be just as interesting and dramatic."Pinpointing specific threats to Arsenal's progression in the Champions League, he added, "Rooney and Ronaldo are amazing."I really admire them for what they do. They have been excellent players from an early age and it's unbelievable how they have maintained their amazing standards."I am a big fan of both of them. You can expect just about anything from them and they always make a difference in games. Look at Ronaldo against Porto, what a goal! It was one of the best goals I've seen."United are probably our biggest rivals but they are a team who play good football. You always enjoy these games but we are determined to come out on top. There is always good football in games between the two of us. They like to create and we have a go, so it's tremendous for the supporters."At least we know we can beat them as we proved at The Emirates. They had their best players in the game earlier in the season and we won. That gives us tremendous confidence."Elsewhere, Arsenal will have to make do without the continued absence of both William Gallas (knee ligament) and Robin van Persie (groin strain).The French defender has been ruled out for the rest of the season while Arsene Wenger confirmed on the club's official website that Van Persie is definitely out of the Old Trafford visit."He is definitely out for Manchester United," Wenger said last week.Andrey Arshavin is also unavailable as he is cup-tied due to his earlier participation in the same competition with Zenit St. Petersburg.Gael Clichy, though, may make a return.
As well as taken a course in acting, preferably a drama major.
why is rooney still around....the dudes a fucken gimp
Thierry is nothing without his Arse.
Van Persie can be a true Gun(ner) when he really wants to, but unfortunately that often isn't the case, that ontop of the fact that Arsene Wenger seems to like trying out as many different combinations with team line up and formation as possible, stops him from performing extremely well. Oh and of course half of Arsenal constantly get injured.
I feel that we will be a lot more dominant next year, Arshavin will have improved, and won't be cup tied, and Eduardo will be back in full form, hopefully we will be able to pull a couple of defenders who can help out at the back. Gibbs looks like he could be our next great defender.My Prediction for the Arsenal Manu games (first and second UCL leg) will beMan U 2 - 1 ArsArs 1- 0 Man u
Carlos Vela has had the all-clear to return to training after missing Monday’s session due to a concern over swine flu.Over 150 people in his native Mexico are feared to have died because of an outbreak of the deadly disease. As a result every country is on high alert in case the problem turns into a global pandemic.The alarm was raised at Arsenal because the 20-year-old striker recently had friends visiting him from back home. The Club were asked to make sure Vela stayed away from training on Monday but he was back in the group the next day.“It was basically down to the fact that he had a visit from Mexican friends who came to see him last week,” said Arsène Wenger at Tuesday's press conference.“He stayed out of our training ground but he has had the all-clear now. There must be a problem that is really big because we were asked to keep him at home. But he was free again to attend training today.”
Naw just kidding i get the same thing, plus i can't stand some of the anouncers voices
They will need to score at least 3 goals then as can't see United not scoring at Emirates
i dont watch much soccer (dont have sky) but play it a lot - until yesterday when i twisted my knee at soccer :S - looks like i'll be watching it for a while now
Good to see Ferdinand injured for the next leg of Arse v Manure.
guts man, i injured my right foot(striking foot :/ ) twice while playing years ago, got some kinda artery damage or someshit from it lolanyone know of a site or sites that you can watch the full games?dont have sky sadly
myp2p.eumay have to download sopcast, etc. or, veetle.com has good quality. no idea what it's like outside europe though.
I think we can hold them scoreless, just have to hope the refs are on our side again..
