Manchester United overwhelmed Arsenal, yet neglected to leave the full evidence in the result. That could be termed carelessness, but it is the habit of this side, with its emphasis on control, to show circumspection. In consequence the visitors will have left Old Trafford in good heart, but that is simply because they avoided devastation in the first leg of this Champions League semi-final.
Despite improvement after the interval, they did not put United in peril. It took one of Sir Alex Ferguson’s own men to do that near the close, with Edwin van der Sar racing rashly from his line to pursue a cross that the substitute Nicklas Bendtner headed off-target. Maybe Arsenal will see in that an omen of arbitrary factors that may still sway the tie.
Arsène Wenger’s team carry hope into the return next Tuesday. All the same, a 1-0 victory is valuable and Arsenal have the double task now of scoring while striving for a clean sheet at the Emirates. In the context of their overall evolution this was an important night. Kieran Gibbs, for instance, deputised again for the injured left-back Gaël Clichy and accelerated towards maturity while facing up to Cristiano Ronaldo and others.
Still, United should feel this continues to be their era. There was disquiet about the rib injury to their captain, Rio Ferdinand, towards the end, but the side normally performs soundly in away games, regardless of personnel. If they are not prolific, there can be an element of surprise in the identity of the scorers.
The right-back John O’Shea settled this match in the 18th minute. A corner did no initial harm and Emmanuel Adebayor thoughtlessly left his station at the post. When Michael Carrick then hit a cut-back from the left there was a gap through which O’Shea’s potent drive could fly. That effort was a rarity and clean finishes either eluded United or were blocked.
Ronaldo, in a fitful showing, struck a remarkable 30-yarder that plunged to smack the crossbar in the 69th minute. Much earlier, United had been on the rampage. Before the interval, Manuel Almunia appeared to be keeping United at bay single-handed.
Arsenal are at a tantalising moment in their development. So much has already been achieved but the final steps in re-establishing the team at a level comparable to United are treacherous. It is apparent to Wenger that the line-up still lacks the physical presence it enjoyed in Patrick Vieira’s time.
The technique of the Champions League holders is prodigious, but it was also insistent waves of power that swamped Arsenal before the interval. Almunia excelled in the second minute to turn away Wayne Rooney’s header from a Darren Fletcher delivery that was on the verge of looping into the net.
United almost scored seconds before they actually did. The vibrant Carlos Tevez popped up twice in a move initiated by Ronaldo and Almunia had to pull off a double save once O’Shea had picked out the Argentinian. Arsenal’s relief was, of course, premature.
The harm could have intensified. With half an hour nearly completed, Kolo Touré could not deal with a Tevez delivery and Ronaldo, stealing in behind him, applied force to a downward header. The aim was imperfect and Almunia blocked. It was a let-off yet Arsenal had disappointed and their structure looked debatable.
It is not unusual for Cesc Fábregas to operate near the centre-forward, but his influence was seldom felt when his side was being pinned down. As an individual, he had a good night, yet where the needs of the team were concerned it could have been valuable in the formative stage of the game if he had contributed poise in deeper areas. There are still conundrums for Arsenal. The manager, for instance, is on dangerous ground when he attempts to address any deficit in power. His selection for the FA Cup semi-final with Chelsea showed him putting an emphasis on muscle. In the process he wound up playing the opposition on their own terms. Arsenal were ground down and defeated that day.
Still he knew what to expect here and accordingly tried, with Denilson left out, to enhance the physical presence. Ferguson may have had no use for the subtleties of Dimitar Berbatov in the starting line-up but it was predictable that there would be an emphasis on brawn.
Wenger understood that the opposition’s energetic authority must wane eventually. He was correct yet United were reinvigorated with the introduction of substitutes. Ryan Giggs, sent on for his 800th appearance with the club, can be proud at taking part purely because he is important. The Welshman did beat Almunia, but was offside by a whisper.
United winced at that, but little else inflicted distress. When they went two down to Tottenham Hotspur before their revival last Saturday it was Aaron Lennon’s pace and trickery that did the harm. Theo Walcott has those attributes, but was stifled by a lack of supply, as well as by Patrice Evra’s tenacity. Eventually he had to make way for Bendtner.
There was no satisfaction for Arsenal, but they departed in relief that the tie is not completely over.
