Arsenal Conclusion: Luck, Experience and J.S.Park Give United All Three Points
Before even stating the facts and stats in this game, the entire Arsenal community (including this article's author) stated that Howard Webb would not only help United, but would also give them the usual free penalty at Old Trafford.
While ironically, United had a correct penalty turned down in the first half, Howard Webb gladly made it up for United by giving them a penalty for a handball on Clichy, the ball hit the left backs hand, which was on the floor because he was in a sliding it position, rendering it impossible for him to hit the ball with his hands on purpose, but Nani actually hit the ball in Clichy's hand, giving United another fake penalty at Old Traffod against Arsenal for the fifth time in five years.
Manchester United were very lucky to walk away with all three points, but in the end did enough to secure them, Arsenal passed the ball around the box in a useless manner as usual, while Howard Webb made sure the majority of the 50-50s were all in United's favor, including a barbaric assault from Ferdinand on Sagna, which almost injured the right back, and also tore apart his shirt.
Here, we examine Arsenal's performance, and analyze the important points displayed today at Old Trafford.
Experience Gave United All Three Points
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While Ji Sung's goal was extremely lucky, instinctive, and brilliant, the man who United can thank for getting the points and the result today was none other than their captain, Nemanja Vidic was outstanding against the Gunners, and saved many crucial balls, one of which was a sure goal wasted by the frustrating Chamakh.
With his current performance, it is understandable why every team in the Europe envies United for their star defender, and it is surprising why Ferguson never gave Vidic the arm-band in the first place.
While his decision making has been susceptible at times in the past, the Serb's instincts are the main asset every defender can hope of acquiring in his career, Vidic won the battle against Chamakh with style, and Arsenal fans would've hoped to see RVP start, but you can't always get what you want.
Arsenal can only hope that Wenger buys a defender in the transfer window, and hope he can be as efficient as the Serb.
Webb, Corruption and United All Go Hand in Hand
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While many people consider him one of the main reasons the World Cup final was ruined, Howard Webb is even more famous among EPL fans as the man who has given Man U more points than they could ask for.
Webb is famous for a lot of things, ending Arsenal's title hopes in 2008 against Man U at Old Trafford, where he awarded a penalty and a freekick that ended Arsenal's season, the free penalty against Liverpool at Old Trafford last season was another fine example, and today was yet another typical Howard Webb day, a free penalty at Old Trafford, giving the opposing team strange yellow cards, and not saying anything to Manchester United's players despite the fact that they curse and use immoral body language with him, most notably Fletcher and Rafael, but of course Webb would take one for the team.
It would take an entire article by itself to state the controversial decisions Webb made in United's favor, but it is in no way an exaggeration to state that Webb's decisions have decided the league time and time again for United (as the 2007-2008 season has shown us), United will be near unstoppable with Webb refereeing the games they play.
Koscielny Was Impressive, Squillaci Was Terrible
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It takes quite a character to tame a talented, yet cheating Englishman, and Koscielny surprisingly got a hold on Rooney whenever he was near Arsenal's goal.
Rooney was remarkable with his long passes and his vision, and almost scored a chipped effort had it not been for Szczesny's brilliant save. The above picture is actually one of many pictures that included Rooney playing aggressive football as usual, and the Frenchman was able to cope well with the Englishman, he even made a decent run or two forward, but Arsenal's full-backs were abysmal in their crossing.
Squillaci, on the other hand was horrendous, and almost did a "Clichy" when he gave Nani the opportunity to score a miraculous volley, only for Nani to miss by mere inches from the target.
Squillaci is known to be a good defender, but is yet to cope in the EPL, and his mistakes are costing Arsenal against the weaker teams in the league.
Szczesny Was Brilliant on His Debut
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If the number on his back wasn't enough to tell you, Szczesny is Arsenal's fourth choice goalkeeper, behind Amunia, Fabianski and Mannone.
But with Almunia injured, and Mannone on loan to Hull City, Wenger opted to play Szczesny against Manchester United at Old Trafford as his league debut, talk about a strange decision from the Arsenal manager.
Wenger would've been hammered by critics and fans alike, had the Polish youngster messed up the game, but Szczesny was brilliant, not even fazed by the fans of Man U, it's as if they weren't even there.
He was unlucky to concede the goal from Park, which was a one off header from the Korean, but apart from the brilliant improvisational header pulled off by the Korean, the young Pole denied Anderson and Rooney two definite chances, and was more impressive than the 40 year old Van Der Sar, who appears to finally have the credits rolling on his illustrious career.
Chamakh Isn't Enough
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Frustrating.
That was Chmakh's performance in a nutshell. The Morocco International was dominated by Vidic, and apart from wasting an absolute sitter and winning a few headers, was no real danger for Man United's defense.
Chamakh has been in fine form this season, and has helped Arsenal on many occasions, but he still isn't the answer Arsenal are looking for in times of need.
Fans will hope that RVP gets back to his top form, and hope that he helps Arsenal in the big games, for there aren't many big game players for Arsenal up front.
Bendtner will also be hoping to finally get his chance, for he has been more impressive in the big games than Chamakh, as has been demonstrated against City, Chelsea and Barcelona in past games.
Arsenal Aren't Ready to Face The Big Teams in Europe
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As things stand, there is a very big possibility that Arsenal will face either Barcelona or Real Madrid, and if they end up facing one of them, the Gunners are likely to kiss the Champions League goodbye.
Arsenal have been frustratingly inconsistent against the big teams in Europe, and even in England, losing twice to Spurs for the first time in over 10 years is an indicator in it's own right, but not having a Plan B means that Arsenal are very likely to end up on the receiving end, should they face the European giants.
Wenger must buy at least one quality defender, regardless of whether or not he thinks he has enough, you might have many defenders (which ironically, Arsenal don't have at the moment), but that doesn't mean that you have many good defenders, Wenger needs to buy a defender that can hold the Arsenal backline.
If the game against United was any indication, Koscielny might fit in the EPL after all, but there is still a long way for him to go before the Arsenal fans trust him blindly, something United fans share with their Serbian captain.
Arsenal Are Not Out Of It Yet
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A great team knows how to respond when knocked down, and in that regard Arsenal have failed miserably in the past. The previous two seasons held nothing but painful endings and many conclusions were realized, but if Wenger and Arsenal do not regroup and pull it together, then truly all will be lost.
Arsenal have done more than what many critics expected them to do at this point in time, but Wenger doesn't care about proving critics wrong, he cares about winning, and that is exactly what Arsenal must do.
Simply put, the league cup is not enough at this moment, Arsenal must keep fighting for the league, and must make sure to beat United in their next encounter, for the thought of United winning the league unbeaten (with the help of a few referees along the way) is repulsive to any Arsenal fan, or neutral for the matter.
Manchester United have the advantage, but that means nothing at this moment in time, only at the end of the season will we finally reach the conclusion many have waited for.
