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**Tilla** · November 2, 2007, 11:14 PM

Two teams playing well. I think this will be a test for Arsenal. I think ManUre will win 1-0 (Tevez - 59th). Should be an exciting game.

**Assasin** · November 3, 2007, 08:35 AM

Manu U going to score more than one, Question is, is Arsenal up to score at least 2? Arsenal playing good but let me see how their defense stand up to the a team as fit as they are.

**Karl** · November 3, 2007, 08:45 AM

1213: Here are the full line-ups:
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Eboue, Flamini, Fabregas, Rosicky, Hleb, Adebayor. Subs: Lehmann, Diarra, Eduardo, Walcott, Silva.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Anderson, Hargreaves, Giggs, Rooney, Tevez. Subs: Kuszczak, Saha, Carrick, Nani, O'Shea.

1205: TEAM NEWS
Arsenal are unchanged from the 1-1 draw with Liverpool so Gilberto stays on the bench. For Manchester United, Patrice Evra replaces John O'Shea and Ryan Giggs comes in for Nani.
1158: The BBC's very own Mystic Meg, Lawro, believes Arsenal will beat Manchester United 5-4. Just kidding. A 1-1 draw, says the big-collared Preston predictor, and he says it will be "tight and nervy". Boo.

1153: Just got off the phone to a United-supporting friend. She informs me she's off to have her hair cut because she can't stand the tension. "I'll just check the result afterwards," she said. And that is why girls should not be allowed anywhere near football.

1149: And talking of Kelly Brook and all things Strictly Come Dancing... I've just seen Gabby and Kenny Logan. Gabby looks very chirpy so I think she's over last week's bombshell exit. The bald one from daytime TV is practising what looks like a tango. On his own. In full view of the whole of Television Centre. I looked him straight in the eyes and there was not a hint of shame. That programme does funny things to people. Anyway, back to the football...

1144: "Continuing with last week's beautiful women theme, today's match is the equivalent of Kelly Brook and Penelope Cruz mud wrestling!"
Anon via text on 81111
1133: "This is one of those games where you're almost afraid to build up expectations for fear of it being a damp squib - and these lunchtime games often do fail to get off the ground. Having said all that, this one has to be a feast doesn't it?"

*BBC 5 Live correspondent Mike Ingham
1127: "Arsenal? Worth the title? (See 1100) Please, it's only November! Bear in mind United still have to play Derby. Twice!!"

*They never stop dis di GUNNERS?

**Karl** · November 3, 2007, 08:48 AM

Another thinks - Fabregas holds key to Emirates clash

Fabregas holds key to Emirates clash

Premier League by Phil McNulty - BBC Sport 02 November 2007

Arsenal's meeting with Manchester United will not deliver defining proof of the destination of the title - but it might uncover some crucial clues.

Arsene Wenger's side passed a serious test of their credentials at Liverpool last Sunday, and now face an even sterner examination against Sir Alex Ferguson's champions.

Arsenal have rightly received huge acclaim for their style this season, a glorious unspoilt passing game that has taken them to the top of the Premier League.

But United, in Arsenal's shadow, have been exhilirating in their own fashion.

Ferguson's side has received fewer plaudits, perhaps because their record-breaking run of four goals in each of their last four games is less of a surprise than Arsenal looking even better for Thierry Henry's absence.

United have grown into the season as expected. Arsenal have grown up before our very eyes, which was not so expected.

BBC football pundit Alan Hansen told me he believes the result of the game will rest on many factors, but said two crucial questions could decide the outcome.

How will United cope with Arsenal's brilliant passing game? And how will Arsenal cope with United's brilliant counter-attacking game?

If the answers provide a game anywhere near the quality of Arsenal's 1-1 draw at Liverpool, we will witness a classic.

Arsenal, stripped of their talisman Henry, have been a revelation.

No-one must ever under-estimate Henry's brilliance, but Arsenal's young players have come out of the giant shadow cast by his presence.

The shackles are off, as seen in Emmanuel Adebayor and the currently injured Robin van Persie, and they have illuminated the Premier League.

Cesc Fabregas has taken on Henry's mantle as the heartbeat of Wenger's side, and it will be intriguing to see how United attempt to subdue his talent.

Liverpool tried their best, courtesy of the excellent Javier Mascherano, but the young Spaniard was more than equal to the task, producing a world-class display and Arsenal's equaliser.

If United succeed, their chances of victory will increase, and it is a fair bet that Owen Hargreaves - if fit - will pay Fabregas close attention.

Alexander Hleb is another Wenger import who is now blossoming, and will Wenger employ Theo Walcott's pace against Manchester United's rearguard?

Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand have been crucial, but this will be their toughest test this season.

For Arsenal, their main priority will be dealing with the flourishing partnership of Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney.

All questions about whether they can play together have been answered in emphatic fashion.

Take their link for United's third goal against Middlesbrough. It was telepathy - a meeting of brilliant football minds.

Arsenal have an outstanding defensive duo in Kolo Toure and William Gallas, a match for anyone in the Premiership.

But United have another wild card in Cristiano Ronaldo and it says much for Tevez and Rooney's impact that he has had a lower profile this season.

There will be world-class match-ups and individual battles all over the park.

And then we come to the dug-out.

Wenger and Ferguson are two of football's elder statesmen, but still possess a burning desire to re-build a succession of teams in the style that has served them well in glittering careers.

They may have personal differences, but they both share an attacking footballing philosophy and a belief that the game must be a form of entertainment for the paying public.

I believe the big factor will be the success United have, or do not have, in containing Fabregas.

If they do, then you would not back against their greater experience winning the day.

But plenty, including myself, have questioned Arsenal and Arsene Wenger in the past - and have been left looking foolish.

And Arsenal are playing with such freedom and confidence that even United's intimidating presence may not shake them out of their stride.

In other words, it is too close to call, but we will know more about the true merits of Arsenal and Manchester United by mid-afternoon on Saturday.

**Karl** · November 3, 2007, 09:04 AM

1248: Arsenal get the game under way. Apparently, 202 countries are taking television coverage of this game and one billion people are expected to watch. Let the fun begin.

**Lambsbread** · November 3, 2007, 09:10 AM

not playing up to da build -up so far

**Karl** · November 3, 2007, 09:32 AM

Originally posted by lambsbread View Post

not playing up to da build -up so far

Thanks!
Please keep us informed!

**Assasin** · November 3, 2007, 09:43 AM

Manu 1-0 at halftime.

whe Lazie deh? him nuh wake up yet?

**Lambsbread** · November 3, 2007, 10:15 AM

Man U might nick dis game on da break....

**Lambsbread** · November 3, 2007, 10:34 AM

Hmmm..consider dis done

**Karl** · November 3, 2007, 11:03 AM

Originally posted by lambsbread View Post

Man U might nick dis game on da break....

Lambsbread: Kindly give us your overview. If I am to take you terse comment above, it would appear ManU were forced to play 2nd fiddle and hit on the break...right? Or have I made a tremendous leap?

**Karl** · November 3, 2007, 11:15 AM

Originally posted by Tilla View Post

Two teams playing well. I think this will be a test for Arsenal. I think ManUre will win 1-0 (Tevez - 59th). Should be an exciting game.

I am sure you saw the game

...I did not!

We would appreciate your take on the match?

**Karl** · November 3, 2007, 11:18 AM

Arsenal 2-2 Man Utd

Arsenal 2-2 Man Utd

By Phil McNulty

Cesc Fabregas celebrates his equaliser for Arsenal against Man Utd

William Gallas equalised in injury-time to salvage a draw and keep Arsenal on top of the Premier League after an absorbing clash with Manchester United.

Gallas turned Wayne Rooney's half-hit effort into his own goal on the stroke of half time to give United the lead.

Cesc Fabregas' cool finish put Arsenal level two minutes after the break, but Cristiano Ronaldo slid home Patrice Evra's cross nine minutes from time.

But Gallas then scrambled in Gael Clichy's cross to earn a point.

The opening 45 minutes proved an anti-climax until Gallas diverted Rooney's tame shot in on the stroke of half-time.

Arsenal had reasonable penalty claims ignored by referee Howard Webb after 15 minutes when Nemanja Vidic tugged Alexander Hleb's shirt as they tangled in the area.

United had a good chance seconds later when Bacary Sagna failed to react to Ronaldo's cross and Ryan Giggs, perhaps caught by surprise, could only turn a close-range effort wide.

Owen Hargreaves was outstanding in shielding United's defence from Arsenal's attacking threat, but he was powerless as the Gunners almost went ahead after after 35 minutes.

Gallas escaped the attentions of the United rearguard to glance Fabregas' free-kick against the legs of Edwin van der Sar.

United's Brazilian midfield man Anderson is clearly a talent, but he demonstrated an unsavoury side to his nature that predictably infuriated the crowd.

He flamboyantly demanded referee Webb show yellow cards to Arsenal players, then rolled in ridiculous fashion after a foul by Fabregas that earned the Spanish youngster a booking.

United staged a smash-and-grab in first-half stoppage time, Ronaldo crossing for Rooney, who failed to make a proper connection but saw Gallas provide a crucial deflection past Manuel Almunia.

The gauntlet was thrown down to Arsenal - but they picked it up to equalise two minutes after the restart.

Emmanuel Eboue played in Emmanuel Adebayor, who was blocked by Van der Sar, but Sagna crossed the loose ball for Fabregas to slide in a composed finish.

Arsenal had started to dominate possession, but it was United who had the next big chance after 63 minutes.

Giggs found Rooney in space in the area, but he headed wastefully wide when he should have at least worked keeper Almunia.

Both managers made changes in the final 15 minutes, Wenger sending on Theo Walcott for Eboue, while Ferguson replaced the subdued Carlos Tevez and Anderson with Louis Saha and Michael Carrick.

The changes worked better for United as they took a vital lead with nine minutes left.

Walcott failed to track Evra, and when Saha played him in he crossed perfectly for Ronaldo to score.

Evra then enjoyed a huge piece of luck when he sliced substitute Eduardo da Silva's cross against his own bar with Van der Sar helpless.

Arsenal pressed forward and got the draw they deserved when Clichy's cross sparked a goalmouth scramble which ended with a shot from Gallas which, even though Van der Sar clawed it out, had clearly crossed the line.

---------

Above suggests the Arsenal babes

should have won? I am

we did not! ...but, ooooh well level on points and game in hand!

**Jamaica2099** · November 3, 2007, 11:34 AM

Karl!
Have you seen Lazie because I have some questions:

1. Where were the "Empire's Darth Vader and Darth Maul" strike force?

2.Where was the "Empire's bounty hunter Boba Fett" who was suppose to take out the "Rebels Lukeskywalker?"

3. How will the "Empire" locate and destroy the "Rebels 3 (game in hand) secret bases" now that the "Empire" is at a disadvantage after losing the "Death Star"

HOW WILL YOU STOP THE REBELS?

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