MANCHESTER UNITED 2-1 ARSENAL
A Wayne Rooney penalty kick-started a somewhat fortunate turnaround for Manchester United against rivals Arsenal. The Gunners were in control for most of the game, but after the penalty that cancelled out Andrey Arshavin’s screamer, Abou Diaby headed in a catastrophic own goal.
Arsenal were on course for a fifth successive victory in all competitions when Andrey Arshavin’s magical finish gave them the advantage over the Premier League champions just before the interval.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s side struggled to make an impact against Arsenal’s resilient rearguard – but the shape of the game altered dramatically in the space of five minutes around the hour mark.
Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia needlessly fouled Wayne Rooney after 59 minutes to allow the England striker to equalise from the penalty spot. Then, 5 minutes later, Diaby, in a nightmare moment, headed Ryan Giggs’ free-kick into his own goal in front of an ecstatic Stretford End.
The Red Devils had several chances to finish it, but Arsenal kept persuing an equaliser, and must have thought Robin van Persie got it in the dying moments, but the goal was ruled out because William Gallas was offside. Arsene Wenger was stunned, and was sent off for his so-called ‘retaliant actions’.
He said of the incident: “I just kicked a bottle of water. I did it because I was disappointed, not because I thought it wasn’t offside. The fourth official called the referee over and he sent me off. I don’t know what to say. I didn’t even know where to go. I didn’t know you were not allowed to kick a water bottle, although it was a good kick.”
This confusion involved him attempting to stand amongst the United crowd, until he was called down and told where to go.
But by then, it was full time, and the United fans’ laughter turned to joy as their team gained a vital three points.
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