A titanic struggle of immense proportions.
The footballing news today is predictably dominated by the Champions League clash between Arsenal and Manchester United tonight. Usually I would therefore try and find something else to talk about, but apologies the pull is too much and besides it would be neglectful not to wax lyrical about a match that will probably be watched by millions of people across the world.
There are so many tasty parameters to tonight's game that it is difficult to know where to start. Primarily I was shocked to realise that the two heavyweights have never previously met in European competition. Of course back when the Champions League was the European Cup, there was far less chance of teams from the same country ever meeting. Only the actual title winners of a European League would have access, or naturally the defending champions themselves would have automatic entry for the next season.
Since the Champions League widened its scope of entrees, there have been many occasions when domestic rivals have gone on to meet in European competition. Some critics have lamented the fact that the Champions League isn't as restricted as it was and I can see why. Personally I like the current format as it is, when the competition had two group stages it did come across as an overly long and pretentious venture.
Then again it would be less open to criticism if the Champions League was say only open to league winners and runners-up, with more European leagues having direct entry rather than being knocked out during the qualifying rounds. Of course some may say that this would only weaken the format, but it would only be fair by definition and it could once again strengthen the depth of quality. Back in the day there were clubs such as Steaua Bucharest, Benfica, Red Star Belgrade and Hamburger SV to name a few, who have won the coveted trophy.
Chelsea and Liverpool have famously now met in Europe for five consecutive seasons, but their first real classic occurred in the recent quarter-finals. So the fact that Arsenal and Manchester United will have their first meeting in Europe tonight, it has understandably left many neutrals hopefully drooling. Whereas me being a fan of Arsenal, I can only get increasingly overcome by manic nerves, expectancy and optimism, of which I have plenty of today!
One of the side stories of tonight is the potential and expected show of Ryan Giggs at some point in the proceedings. He has been crowned the PFA player of the year this last week, incredibly for the first time, and this evening should herald his 800th appearance for Manchester United. He has been showered in deserving praise for his continued influence and skill, but I hope he is far removed from his 1999 FA Cup semi-final effect later on!
Much has been made in the press about the feuds of old between Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson, there have certainly be many over the years. In recent seasons there has been a wane in the hostilities, depending on your point of view this comes down to a couple of reasons. Some people have said that both managers have matured (if you can say that about men in their fifties and sixties!), and that they are now more respectful of each other. On the other hand it has been suggested that Arsenal are less of a threat and no longer irk Ferguson so much.
I must say that I am more inclined to believe the former; Wenger and Ferguson are like the two wise men of the Premiership. After years of their respective clubs challenging each other they do seem to have found a bond of sorts. Nowadays their outbursts are aimed at other targets, and though it may be true that Arsenal have not challenged for the Premiership consistently since the 'Invincibles' season, it would be rubbish to say that Ferguson does not see the Gunners as a viable threat.
As for the match itself, I dare not start with any proper predictions- mostly out of fear that I may curse the result in some way! I will just say that Arsenal do have a very good chance of overturning the Champions League holders over two legs. The recent results between the two teams do stack up in the London side's favour, the last meeting in November saw Arsenal triumph 2-1 after a Sami Nasri brace. Last season there was a draw and a victory for United, whereas the season before Arsenal managed to win both league fixtures home and away.
It would be unwise though to take any inclination from Manchester United's recent patchy form, they may not have been as dominant as earlier in the season but what's most significant is that they have still secured results. All you will take from this is that the tie really is too close to call, I am confident that it will be more of a spectacle than last night's turgid semi between Barcelona and Chelsea though.
Ferguson is rightfully worried about an away goal, Arsenal have not conceded a goal at the Emirates since December, and as is the nature of games between the two teams I will expect goals tonight. Games of this magnitude are almost always dependent on the star players, and Fabregas and Ronaldo will be keenly marked in an effort to quell their influence. It will of course be tense but it should also be a spectacle. I will say no more, but I hope and am optimistic for an Arsenal versus Barcelona final, you know where my allegiances lie, anything else would do me a disservice. It should be a cracker, meanwhile I'll be chewing my fingernails to the bone!
There are so many tasty parameters to tonight's game that it is difficult to know where to start. Primarily I was shocked to realise that the two heavyweights have never previously met in European competition. Of course back when the Champions League was the European Cup, there was far less chance of teams from the same country ever meeting. Only the actual title winners of a European League would have access, or naturally the defending champions themselves would have automatic entry for the next season.
Since the Champions League widened its scope of entrees, there have been many occasions when domestic rivals have gone on to meet in European competition. Some critics have lamented the fact that the Champions League isn't as restricted as it was and I can see why. Personally I like the current format as it is, when the competition had two group stages it did come across as an overly long and pretentious venture.
Then again it would be less open to criticism if the Champions League was say only open to league winners and runners-up, with more European leagues having direct entry rather than being knocked out during the qualifying rounds. Of course some may say that this would only weaken the format, but it would only be fair by definition and it could once again strengthen the depth of quality. Back in the day there were clubs such as Steaua Bucharest, Benfica, Red Star Belgrade and Hamburger SV to name a few, who have won the coveted trophy.
Chelsea and Liverpool have famously now met in Europe for five consecutive seasons, but their first real classic occurred in the recent quarter-finals. So the fact that Arsenal and Manchester United will have their first meeting in Europe tonight, it has understandably left many neutrals hopefully drooling. Whereas me being a fan of Arsenal, I can only get increasingly overcome by manic nerves, expectancy and optimism, of which I have plenty of today!
One of the side stories of tonight is the potential and expected show of Ryan Giggs at some point in the proceedings. He has been crowned the PFA player of the year this last week, incredibly for the first time, and this evening should herald his 800th appearance for Manchester United. He has been showered in deserving praise for his continued influence and skill, but I hope he is far removed from his 1999 FA Cup semi-final effect later on!
Much has been made in the press about the feuds of old between Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson, there have certainly be many over the years. In recent seasons there has been a wane in the hostilities, depending on your point of view this comes down to a couple of reasons. Some people have said that both managers have matured (if you can say that about men in their fifties and sixties!), and that they are now more respectful of each other. On the other hand it has been suggested that Arsenal are less of a threat and no longer irk Ferguson so much.
I must say that I am more inclined to believe the former; Wenger and Ferguson are like the two wise men of the Premiership. After years of their respective clubs challenging each other they do seem to have found a bond of sorts. Nowadays their outbursts are aimed at other targets, and though it may be true that Arsenal have not challenged for the Premiership consistently since the 'Invincibles' season, it would be rubbish to say that Ferguson does not see the Gunners as a viable threat.
As for the match itself, I dare not start with any proper predictions- mostly out of fear that I may curse the result in some way! I will just say that Arsenal do have a very good chance of overturning the Champions League holders over two legs. The recent results between the two teams do stack up in the London side's favour, the last meeting in November saw Arsenal triumph 2-1 after a Sami Nasri brace. Last season there was a draw and a victory for United, whereas the season before Arsenal managed to win both league fixtures home and away.
It would be unwise though to take any inclination from Manchester United's recent patchy form, they may not have been as dominant as earlier in the season but what's most significant is that they have still secured results. All you will take from this is that the tie really is too close to call, I am confident that it will be more of a spectacle than last night's turgid semi between Barcelona and Chelsea though.
Ferguson is rightfully worried about an away goal, Arsenal have not conceded a goal at the Emirates since December, and as is the nature of games between the two teams I will expect goals tonight. Games of this magnitude are almost always dependent on the star players, and Fabregas and Ronaldo will be keenly marked in an effort to quell their influence. It will of course be tense but it should also be a spectacle. I will say no more, but I hope and am optimistic for an Arsenal versus Barcelona final, you know where my allegiances lie, anything else would do me a disservice. It should be a cracker, meanwhile I'll be chewing my fingernails to the bone!
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