VIEW: United vs Arsenal (a). 3-1

Earlier in the week, after we gave by far our most
determined, outstanding and tactically superior performance of the season, it
got me a thinking. When WAS our last truly incredible performance? Well, few
would disagree with me when I suggest that it was in fact at the very same
venue that today’s game was held last season.

No, not the league game in November ’08 when Nasri’s brace
beat us 2-1, but the more beautiful, continental spectacle last May. The 3-1
win in the Champions League Semi Final second leg was the last time, arguably
until mid-week’s performance against City, that we truly performed to the
esteemed honour that the title of ‘Champions’ holds.

Well here we are, back for the first time since the
day we taught Arsenal’s ‘boys’ exactly how it’s done. So what’s changed? Well a
fair bit, considering the architect of that victory is now playing in Spain
and, ironically, Arsenal have learnt to play. Quite well, in fact.

So the questions that surrounding today’s visit
would enevitably have considered the events last Spring and how things have
changed for each respective side. However, more pressingly and relevantly for
those concerned with NOW rather than THEN was: although Wednesday nights performance
was class, would the annoying amount of importance placed on a cup game have
any sort of strain on the performance of this ridiculously vital League tie?

The team lined up in familiar fashion, although obviously
there were changes (it IS Ferguson
after all). The back 4 saw suspended Rio make way for
Brown (interestingly not for Vidic…), and Park came in for Giggs. Other than
those two additions, we fielded the same full-strength side that played so
resolutely a few days earlier. Even though the game fantastically didn't go through the ordeal of extra-time, and we came away from it injury-free, I
somehow couldn’t help but feel that we could’ve done with resting a few for the
more important and more challenging task ahead.

Thankfully, rather than rueing the decision to play a full-strength
side for 90 minutes on Wednesday, we evidently continued where we left off. We
emerged with the same desire and passion; pressuring the Arsenal defence from the start until
a moment of inspired genius broke the deadlock.

After cutting up Clichy and Nasri with the sort of skill
you’d expect to find at the heart of a Messi or (of course) Ronaldo youtube
video, Nani dinked a cross so dangerous, that had Almunia NOT done all he
could and flap it into the goal, it would have only reached Park at the far post
to tap it in.

As a long-time and often harsh critic of the man, I’m in no
way too embarrassed to give him the credit he deserves and pin-point his recent
role as nothing less than essential. Nani’s seen the confidence and generality
ability of Valencia
edge him further out of favour, or if not, simply played out of position on the
left. After a chance selection ahead of Antonio last Saturday, he has gone on
to enjoy his most prolific run in United colours since 2007. And to what
incredible results. Fair play, son.

The momentum continued and enhanced, with a second brilliant
and oh so reminiscent goal coming 4 minutes later. Again tailored by Nani, he
recreated the stunning counterattacking winner from that Champions League night.

After only 39 minutes, Martin Tyler
stated proudly that, ‘if that game [the Semi Final] was Ronaldo’s, then today
it is all about Nani’. Seriously, what has happened to Nani recently?? Looking back at the
past week, we have seen United overcome opposition with the renewed optimism and potency
of old to in turn reassert our seriousness towards this season. Of course
Rooney’s goals have been valuable, however Nani’s contribution should be
held in equal regard.

But if we’re dishing out credit, we can't simply brush past Rooney. Praise is of course dually handed to the man who sprinted the entire length of the pitch in 9.2 seconds (the
exact same time it took for the ball to reach the Arsenal net for United’s 3rd last May) to get on the end of the pass and score the second.

I have now finally conceded, after a season of gazing in awe
and uni-dimensional astonishment at only 1 United player – Pat Evra – that
Rooney probably is our most important player; with the 3 games (and 6 goals) over the past 8
days proving that most intently. Today, although placed as a lone-striker where
he was yet again largely isolated against the troublesome Gallas and Vermaelen,
it is his goal that yet again will be talked about; ignoring any flaws in his
game.

The third to kill the game off and round off another
incredible Emirates exhibition was scored at the same end as that Ronaldo
counterattack and saw 2 of the players involved in that same goal. Carrick (in
place of Ronaldo for this goal), to Rooney, to Carrick, who chips it delightfully
into the path of Park; who copies Nani’s run in the first half only to ignore
the call of Rooney and go it alone. Another brilliant goal to give us a 3 goal
lead on 52 minutes. A whole 10 minutes earlier than we sealed the Champions
League game.

It was suggested that we would now go on and be completely
rampant in front of their goal, as Nani, Rooney, Scholes and Park continuously
pushed forward and created chances. In fact, it ended with the same score-line
to round off a near flawless display and allow my blog, jam-packed full of
comparisons, to appear legitimate!

Back in early December, I proclaimed defiantly and rather
stupidly that Tevez’s winner against Chelsea,
after we also thumped West Ham 4-0 away, to be the ‘turning point’ of the league
season. Well, defeats against Villa and Fulham in the same month saw that
statement completely discredited and prove that I should NEVER try and predict
anything ever again. So I’m definitely not going to say it about today’s game.
Instead, I’ll sit back and enjoy my entitled sense of triumph at having
witnessed another Emirates master-class, and simply admire the determination instilled
in our current performances that saw us turn a potentially challenging week into
a success.

At times this term, during the culminating moments of our
largely uninspiring season (such as during those defeats against Villa and
Fulham), I have so longed for the sort of desire and prowess we displayed on
the 5th May 2009; our last ‘great’ performance. After a week of
formidability, 8 months later, we have finally witnessed it again. The stuff of
‘men against boys’. The stuff of Champions.