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FA Cup Final Preview
The Manchester Untied-Arsenal rivalry exhausts superlatives. Whenever these teams play, there's always a brawl, controversial decisions, tons of diving, someone gets sent off, schoolmarms wail about the vulgarity of Wayne Rooney, and the decline of Britain; Jose Reyes whines about his owie, and, in the recent past, United win, even if the Gunners finish higher in the table. Add to this fixture the current turmoil over Glazer, and the fear of the new 800-pound gorilla (Chelsea), and plus, United's total loss of form, and the Gunner's late resurgence, and, well, it looks like a slight edge for the Arse. Which is what it always looks like.
The managers, Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger, need this win to salvage failed seasons, such is the paucity of scraps with Chelsea around. The FA Cup Final is watched around the world, and, like most finals, it is often anti-climactic. Chances are good this one won't be, though; these clubs are wedded to each other: a marriage of hate. Chances are good this will be a war.
Likely Combatants
Arsenal
Jens Lehmann and Matthew Almunia, goalkeepers: Much like Utd's goalies, this addled two-headed monster convinces no one, least of all their manager, Arsene Wenger. In the teeth of Arsenal's midseason collapse, Lehmann's teammates threw him under bus, demanding Wenger bench him, only for Almunia to go on walkabout from goal (against Utd, of course) and leave Cristiano Ronaldo an empty net. Then it was back to Lehmann's flurry of dropped crosses. Either man will be fine as long as he doesn't use his hands or his brain.
Ashley Cole, left back: One of the world's best defenders, and the second-most controversial, after Utd's Rio Ferdinand. Both shopped themselves to title-rivals Chelsea mid-season; both may be playing their final matches for their clubs. This is a tragedy for Arsenal, because Cole is the only homegrown player in their senior team. And yet, stubborn Wenger keeps on trying to re-sign him. Cole is that good.
Cole renews hostilities here with Utd winger Cristiano Ronaldo, in what is becoming one of football's greatest rivalries (and of which we may be deprived if they both end up at Madrid). Watch for Utd to drag Cole infield by running their wingers into the box, which could nullify his dominion of the touchline.
Lauren, right back: This converted midfielder is a bit much like a midfielder; i.e. he doesn't really tackle. A key player for Arsenal, no so much for how he plays, but where he stands: if he's pinned back in his own defensive third, it likely spells the Gunners' doom. Will either have to chase around Ronaldo, or get battered to a pulp by Wayne Rooney. This is not the Gunners' best position.
Sol Campbell, center half: Never quite the leader Arsenal need, and, like many of his teammates, has suffered in this matchup, trying to trip Wayne Rooney at Old Trafford last October, and getting sent off at Highbury for elbowing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer three years ago. Excels against bad teams, can't quite hack it against the good ones, which could be said of the entire Arsenal institution. The English media are sycophantic to Campbell because he's English, but his manager prefers teenager Phillip Senderos. Strong, slow, not very smart, and seems to forget where to stand. No wonder the Gunners started winning when he got injured. Utd love to see his name on the teamsheet. If Arsenal should lose, you can bet he'll be culpable.
Kolo Toure, center half: Solid and dependable, though his lack of pure talent for the position will prevent him from ever being great. When Campbell got hurt and Phillip Senderos arrived, he became one half of an excellent defense. Said to be taller than he looks.
Phillip Senderos: Every club in Europe was chasing this kid's signature, and now we know why. Simply one of the very best young defenders in the world, he single-handedly righted the listing ship when Campbell got injured. Strong, gorgeously ugly and sad-eyed, technically flawless without being purple, and only nineteen years old. The next Tony Adams. Peter Kenyon will be asking him to dinner.
Patrick Vieira, defensive midfielder: In the throes of a yearlong slump after deciding once again to eschew Madrid. Appears to be punishing his mentor/inventor Arsene Wenger with a Proustian spite, torturing the one who gave him everything he has. The most gifted defensive midfielder of his generation, hands down, but Roy Keane usually gets the best of him. Often seen to skulk the center circle during matches with Utd, as though meekly hitting Scholesy up for change. Somehow always outplayed by Phil Neville, and how many players can say that? If he ever got his meanness back, the Gunners might win Europe.
Gilberto Silva, defensive midfielder: Missed almost the entire season with a back injury, and proved his importance by his absence. A tidy defensive specialist who keeps it simple and does the quintessential dirty work, fetching and carrying, mopping up, etc. No team can win without a guy like this, and the trophy might've stayed at Highbury if he'd been healthy. Man Utd could use him. So could everyone else.
Cesc Fabregas, center midfielder: Another bargain-basement purchase from Arsene Wenger, Fabregas outshines many of Ferguson's pricier baubles (Juan Veron, anyone? Kleberson? Eric Djemba-Djemba?) Fast, passes wonderfully, knows where to run, enthusiastic and brave, he has everything but size. Every bit as good as other diminutive young playmakers like Javier Saviola, Pablo Aimar, and Carlos Tevez, though he dictates play from deeper positions. Someday very soon, you will not be able to mark him.
Matthieu Flamini, midfielder: Strong young grafter bought for a song from someplace in Ligue One that only Arsene Wenger seems to know about. Arsenal are effete and need more tough guys, and Flamini may someday be important in fixtures like this. Lost his chance to cement a place in the team when Gilberto Silva was hurt, because he-Flamini-was also hurt.
Robert Pires, and Freddie Ljungberg, midfielders: It seems appropriate to group these two together. Both are fast, cunning passers of the ball, score bags of goals, and form the engine room of Wenger's system; both had inconsistent, injury-plagued seasons; either could beat Man Utd by himself if he's in the mood. Pires, at his best, was simply unstoppable. Utd will try to kick them into submission. It's worked before.
Robin van Persie, forward: Another brilliant Holland forward, another uncanny Wenger purchase. Not so much the next Dennis Bergkamp as the next Teddy Sheringham, van Persie fits Wenger's passing system perfectly, and, unlike most of his teammates, he can actually take a punch. Wants to make the big play, and, with Thierry Henry injured, he may need to. Will drift all over the field, link play, arrive late, score a blinder, and dish a few cheap shots. Arsenal need more guys with his attitude.
Jose Reyes: The ultimate Arsenal genius/weenie. Stunningly gifted, painfully pretty, runs like a deer, scores in bunches, selflessly passes, and disappears against Utd. You wouldn't be surprised to find him weeping by a fountain. Spent the season trying to get himself sold to Real Madrid, with as little success as Patrick Vieira. Can mope like Vieira, too.
Dennis Bergkamp: Aging genius endured the lowest moment of his career in the 1999 FA Cup semi-final against Utd, when his penalty miss set the stage for Giggs' decisive goal. Possesses one of the greatest imaginations of any athlete, and, in his day, he was the greatest living poet. To see his goal against Argentina in the '98 World Cup was like seeing Marxism die. Some men just aren't equal. Now in his mid-thirties, and his powers aren't what they were. You'll never see a more thrilling player, except forÞ
Thierry Henry: State-of-the-art center forward whose highlight reel is longer than the rest of the Premiership's put together. Most defenders can't get anywhere near him. Scored the goal of his life, or one of them, against Utd, in 1999, but hasn't made an impression on them since then. Likely to miss the final through injury, depriving TV viewers of one of the game's true marvels, and saving Utd's fans a change of boxers.
Arsene Wenger: A disappointing season for him, after last year's undefeated campaign, but bad form and injuries have forced him to bring along his youth team, and he may look back at this as a formative time. So good at buying players on a budget that the Glazers should make him their first hire. On the other hand, Ferguson has owned him for three years running, and the Gunners have yet to shed their image as wimps. Considering the difference in form between these teams, if he can't beat Utd now, when will he?
Manchester United
Roy Carroll and Tim Howard, goalkeepers: If Arsenal's goalies are sieves, these guys are colanders. How many teams can boast two goalies who blunders have knocked them out of Europe in consecutive seasons? Howard's was more like a half-blunder, really, but Ferguson's subsequent benching ruined his confidence. Ferguson likes players he doesn't have to manage: Schmeichel, Keane, Cantona, Scholes, Rooney. He needs to manage Howard. Sorry, kid.
Carroll is the likely starter here, which makes no sense at all, since he's leaving in the summer, while Howard just signed a big extension. Either player is good for at least one goal. Not what you want from your goalie.
Gary Neville, right back: This devoted servant of Utd will look to cheer supporters by ritually slaughtering Jose Reyes on the touchline. Not the fastest right back in England, just the best, and Utd will need his crossing to fetch them chances, which they've forgotten how to make. Unlike those watching on TV around the world, this is one man who won't miss the injured Thierry Henry, though he's said to be injured himself, and may not play.
Rio Ferdinand, center half: Set to become the most disloyal man in all creation. A year on from the drug-test violation that ruined two seasons for his club, he shows up in a restaurant with Chelsea chairman Peter Kenyon, with the Ashley Cole affair still fresh in the mind. Like Cole, he's the best on Earth at his position when he's in form; unlike Cole, he seems to be playing with one foot out the door. And he's stalling on a contract extension. And Madrid are lurking. And your hair looks stupid, mate.
Mikael Silvestre, center half: fast, strong, dumb, and with the attention span of a housefly. Got himself sent off against the Gunners in January, when he fell for Freddie Ljungberg's provocation. Silvestre-which supposedly means -roosterî in French-has not enjoyed a convincing campaign, and he's something of a bellwether: good when things are good, and bad when they're bad.
Wes Brown, center half: Platoons with Silvestre as Rio's partner; when one makes his quota of mistakes, the other steps in. This is the more elegant, less lucky player, who seems to always either score an own goal or blow out his knee. It's a shame, because his gifts for the position are exceptional.
John O'Shea, left back: A can't miss prospect who appears to have missed, and his decay is an analog of Utd's. After a magnificent rookie season in which he nutmegged Luis Figo and helped Utd win the title, his game has abruptly disappeared. Now, he is ferried out to whatever defensive position needs filling, without making any of them his own. Is he a fullback? A midfielder? A center half? No one knows. He probably wouldn't feature at all, but left back Gabriel Heinze is hurt. Buying Heinze, incidentally, was Ferguson's response to -John-O'sî decline. His one great moment of the season came against the Arsenal, when his shorthanded goal iced Utd's 4-2 win. Young enough to salvage a career as more than a squad player, but his habits must be dreadful. Big spender at the pub.
Quinton Fortune, left back: So vulnerable to injury that we might never know how good he is. The opposite of Arsenal's players, really: loves a scrap, but rarely blends into the passing game. Ferguson can't decide if he's better or worse than John O'Shea. Neither can I.
Darren Fletcher, midfielder: Ferguson's odd selection policies kept him out of the lineup for half the season; injuries prevented us from see how he'd do against Milan. Excelled in last year's FA Cup final, but needs a whole season to prove he can shoulder the load when Keane retires.
Roy Keane, midfielder: The best box-to-box midfielder of his era, he seems to dominate this fixture, and Vieira in particular. Age is steadily whittling him down, and he hasn't held the midfield well in months. Can he summon up the wrath one more time? If you think Utd suffered when Schmeichel retired, just wait until they try replacing Keane.
Paul Scholes, midfielder: Legendary redhead has suffered from Ferguson's daft tactics, and lately finds himself marooned a mile from goal, while no one links up with van Nistlerooy (of which more later), or hammers in the balls at the top of the box he (Scholes) used to feast on. The fact that I keep using the word -sufferî should tell what I think of Utd's chances. Words can't do justice to Scholes' greatness, but Ferguson has made him inconsistent. A sign of the manager's genius, perhaps: he discovered how to neutralize Paul Scholes. Utd need Scholes at his best here. Badly.
Cristiano Ronaldo, midfielder: One of Ferguson's newest crown jewels, this Portuguese ingÿnue can carve a goal from nothing. A yet-to-blossom Giggs/Beckham hybrid, who doesn't cross or cut through traffic to the box quite as well as his forebears. Yet. Hasn't been seamlessly included into the offense, and plays his best when he goes it alone, but no one can dispute how exciting he is to watch. His moves on the ball are incredible, and his ongoing duel with Ashley Cole is becoming the stuff of legend. Possesses so much flair that it's almost unbearable, like a guy with a funny hat who bags all the chicks. Hard for a guy this tricky to acquire gravitas in England without winning the league, but everyone who hates him secretly wants him, and he's more effective than his detractors give him credit for. Madrid are inching ever closer. No one insults you for diving in Spain.
Ryan Giggs, midfielder: Scored the greatest goal in the history of this competition against Arsenal, in better days, and may have to settle for a place on the bench here. Played as well as he ever has for half of this season, and was injured or poor for the other half. Wenger will weep for joy when Giggs retires.
Wayne Rooney, forward: His snarl alone might beat the Arse. Ugly, ruthless, dirty, profane, fearless, brilliant, and the yin to Ronaldo's yang. The best sixty million dollars Ferguson ever spent. As grotesque as Henry is beautiful, and better in the clutch. His presence assures Utd of at least a fighting chance-emphasis on -fightingî-though it would be nice if his manager played him closer to the goal, and one day, he may tire of these one-man kamikaze charges he is asked to make from halfway down the touchline. If Glazer fails, and needs to sell him, the club may not recover.
Ruud van Nistlerooy, forward: Could be forgiven for wishing he'd fled to Barcelona last summer, before they bought Samuel Eto'o. Suffered through both an injury-ruined season, and the indignity of Ferguson's newfangled offense, which doesn't get him the ball. Hasn't meshed with Rooney or Ronaldo, and must feel downright homesick for Beckham's crosses. Look for him to stand alone in the box and wave forlornly while his midfield fires thirty-five yard shots above the crossbar. Ferguson rushed him back from injury too quickly, which screwed up the team's offensive balance, making Ruud look the villain, he who had carried Utd for so long, and with so much courage. A pathetic fate for one of the greatest finishers ever, he has been betrayed. Arsenal won't be sympathetic, though: they hate him with the rage of fifty suns.
Alan Smith, forward: His early burst of goals for Utd appears to have been a ruse, and he now resembles the player he was at Leeds: a forward who doesn't score. Had a right to be bitter over Rooney's arrival, but playing as badly as this won't get him back into the lineup. Would make a better holding midfielder. At least he's a bully.
Louis Saha, forward: Utd used to have Solskjaer and Sheringham off the bench, and now they have Smith and this guy. As with Smith, he had a great debut month, but since, he's either injured or anonymous. Which is a shame, because Utd could use his pace.
Sir Alex Ferguson: The press keeps saying he'll be back next year, but I haven't heard him say it, and he could be out the door. Can the end be this dismal for Britain's greatest manager? Utd briefly hit the heights this season-mostly against Arsenal-but Milan destroyed them in the Champion's League, and their play has been subdued ever since. Bottom teams have bloodied them, Everton humiliated them, even Keano doesn't seem to want to fight. Has achieved the geometric miracle of isolating his midfield from both his forwards and defenders. Much has been made of van Nistlerooy's lack of service, but worse is the lackluster play of their three-man holding midfield. What the hell is Fletcher doing if he isn't screening his defense? Why play Scholes so far away from both goals, where he can't influence either one? Why not plant Keane three yards from the -D,î and have him mop up attacks, like in days of yore? Arsenal get goals right up the middle. Chelsea got their goals up middle, too; all three of them. How can a team play three holding midfielders and still be outnumbered in their own box? Will somebody please track back? Van Nistlerooy, Scholes, Fletcher, Howard, Smith and Saha all seem to be in limbo, and it's impossible to tell how good Utd are. If the team is this bad next year, expect the Glazers to fire Ferguson, with tacit fan approval. He may need some pitch invasions here to save himself.
Ferguson needs this win more than Wenger does. Can he somehow rouse his troops for a final charge? Could Arsenal be just what the doctor ordered?
Prediction: The cliche says that in games like this, form goes out the window, but if it wasn't for recent history, Arsenal would be prohibitive favorites. They have been excellent for two months, even without the injured Henry. Fabregas, Senderos and van Persie are hungry, the veterans are scared for their places, while Utd are in absolute turmoil. How long will players like Ronaldo, van Nistlerooy and Ferdinand wait before jumping ship? When will Rooney save himself? Are Utd a house divided?
Arsenal 4-1.
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