Manchester United-Arsenal: And Then There Were Two

The English Premier League runs into its most important stage in the next couple of weeks. Only five games remain in the EPL season.

With Man United, Chelsea and Liverpool still involved in the Champions League, it seemed as though this afternoon was a perfect opportunity for Arsene Wenger and his young guns to regain ground on the league leaders.

They could show that despite being knocked out of Europe in midweek, they are still good enough to challenge for the Premiership title. The only problem was their destination...Old Trafford!

Before today's game, Arsene Wenger described a "Must Win" situation for his team, a sentiment shared by Sir Alex Ferguson, albeit for different reasons.

Wenger's team had to win to stay in the title race, with anything other than three points surely meaning their challenge was over. For United, those vital three points meant widening the gap on Chelsea to six points as well as the luxury of a game in hand!

Arsenal started as the brighter of the two sides, but despite having some good chances they seemed to lack the killer instinct that has been their trademark this season.

Adebayor had two or three clear-cut chances, none of which he was able to finish off until a misread cross on the part of Ferdinand and Van Der Sar, allowed Adebayor to head it home from 1 yard.

With Arsenal in the lead, it seemed as though the season was about to take another twist, but just as in the Liverpool game last Tuesday their lead was short-lived.

A couple of minutes later, United were awarded a penalty with Gallas handling in the box. Up stepped Golden Boy Ronaldo. He scored the penalty but was made to take it again because of players rushing the area as he paused mid run. He took it again...and scored again! 

The story of the game was how even the teams were in this match. Shots on target, shots off target, corners, throw-ins...it seemed like there was no separating them, not least until around the 70th minute.

United were awarded a free kick in Ronaldo territory, and as he was standing over the ball with Owen Hargreaves, commentator Andy Gray spotted something.

"You know it wouldn't surprise me if Hargreaves hit this!" he said. "Normally, when Ronaldo takes a free kick, he likes to place and position the ball to get everything just right...he didn't do it this time?"

Then, as the referee blew the whistle Hargreaves DID take the shot! He curled it straight in to the net past a stranded Lehmann. Arsenal were caught out and United had all but ended their title challenge.

Ronaldo and Co. played the ball around between each other for the final 20 minutes, effectively killing the game and any hope that Arsene Wenger had left.

So now we're down to two: United and Chelsea. The big match at Stamford bridge falls between the Champions league semifinal's first and second legs, and both teams have everything to play for.

Amusingly enough after today's result, Chelsea will now be in that same "must win" category that Arsenal was. So if United comes away from London with 3 points, they may be engraving the trophy yet again when they get home.