bollocks.
Arsenal had sprinted to the Premier League's summit this season
propelled by a mesmerising brand of attacking football, but
Manchester United departed London on Saturday encouraged that they
had stamped their own authority on the title race. "I don't think
they created a clearcut chance in the first half," said Owen
Hargreaves. "So we did a good job controlling their so-called
'beautiful football'."
The comment revealed the irritation in the United set-up at the
plaudits lavished on Arsenal's free-flowing style. United have
entranced as thrillingly this season, their attacking thrust more
ruthless at times than that of Arsène Wenger's young charges.
Indeed, the reigning champions' more streetwise approach, born of
their greater experience than the current leaders can boast, could
yet prove decisive in determining the destiny of the title.
"Arsenal had a lot of possession today, but in the first half they
never got into a position where they threatened the goal, besides
the header from [William] Gallas which was a set piece," said
Hargreaves. "They had plenty of possession, but were never
threatening and football's about winning games and scoring goals.
Both of our goals were beautiful pieces of play, while theirs were
a bit scrappy and probably not typical of the way Arsenal
play.
"It's great to keep the ball, like they did, but when you've got a
team that are as good defensively as us, you can keep them at bay.
The most important thing is that when you win the ball back you
attack. We hit the post and had players going forward to catch them
out. With the players we've got up front we can score at any
time."
Wenger admitted his side had not played at their best, starting
with "the handbrake on", though he gleaned other encouragement from
the draw. "You never know what the consequences of a defeat might
have been. Resilience isn't the first quality you imagine when you
think about [Cesc] Fábregas, [Mathieu] Flamini, [Thomas] Rosicky or
[Alexander] Hleb. They're more team players who you'd expect to be
stronger on the technical side, but they have a lot of character.
The technical ability and the stamina we have usually makes a
difference in the last few minutes."
another manure's cullion still
not happy abt it.
