COYG!!!

***Disclaimer: This was on my blog because I know my readers won't get offended. Posting it here is by request, so if you are offended... Well, sod off***

First up, no disrespect to Man Utd players and fans. They brought a good game and won the points. But it doesn't change the fact that I quite despise the Mancs.

Surely all football fans are somewhat masochistic. The pain we allow the club and players to inflict upon us week after week - the anticipation, the results, etc. - is unfathomable for the non-fans. Yes my friends, I say again, IT IS NOT JUST A GAME.

So the big Sunday night fixture went 3-1 in Manchester United's favour. Were we necessarily two goals worse when it came to performance? As hard as it is to admit, the answer is yes.

Bright and spirited as we were in the first half, we continued to thump at the mouth of goal without purpose and clinical finishing. It was pretty much the equivalent of a cocktease - they showed a lot, but didn't put out.

The frustrating thing after every match is this, we always come off like a team without sufficient quality to go up against the big boys. And this is so far from the truth.

Let's have a quick look at the match-up (and for the sake of readability, we'll just look at the starting line-up). Now, I know the positional comparison may bring disputes, but I stuck to ESPN's label of players' positions for comparison.

Arsenal
Manuel Almunia, Thomas Vermaelen, William Gallas

Man Utd
Ji-Sung Park, Wayne Rooney, Nani

Are you kidding me? I mean, sure, Rooney is a fugly little powerhouse but Kim Chi and Diving Tosser? Please.

Almunia's inefficiencies are unfortunately apparent and he's the weak link here. Thomas and Willy however, are defensive stalwarts and their inability to command the rearguard in this game - and several others - is inexcusable because they more than possess the right skills and capabilities.

Arsenal
Gaël Clichy, Bacary Sagna

Man Utd
Paul Scholes, Darren Fletcher

I have to say that Scholes is a brilliant player and quite a legend up north, but Fletcher? Even as a utility player, he's nowhere as impressive as O'Shea. Sagna's power should be able to match up to a veteran like Scholes, although the latter has the advantage when it comes to positioning. On our left however, there is no reason why quick-footed Clichy shouldn't be able to deal with three Fletchers.

Arsenal
Alexandre Song Billong

Man Utd
Michael Carrick

'Nuff said.

Besides, I can't fault Song for anything in this game because he did do well. This comparison is almost insulting.

Arsenal
Cesc Fabregas, Denilson

Man Utd
Patrice Evra, Rafael

Here Man Utd has an excellent leftback and a budding young rightback. Cesc was everywhere and pushing hard. Our captain always does. Rafael did well but Cesc has way more class, technical superiority and quality. Evra didn't need to shut out Denilson. It was a disappointing night for our Brazilian.

Which begs the question - why, oh why, can't our usual midfielders excel in midfield? It's a feat so familiar to fans (the domination of midfield) and yet we were faltering at many points.

Arsenal
Samir Nasri, Andrey Arshavin, Tomas Rosicky

Man Utd
Edwin van der Sar , Jonathan Evans, Wes Brown

Wes Brown is their weak link here. However, look at the potential firepower in our trio of forward players. How can we be so blase in front of goal? We only have ourselves to blame for missing the chances because we (and you out there, if you were honest) know full well that Samir, Andrey and Tomas should not have been that callous.

That said, I can claim with certainty though, that no one else on that field (whatever shirt they were wearing) has as much drive and stamina as our Russian. If only he had put a couple behind...



So I ask you, how is it that a team so well put together can play such disjointed football during such an important fixture? Only AW knows.

When all is said and done, we dropped the points with half a fight. At home. Utterly disappointing I know, but call it ardent or masochistic, I will still stand proud as a Goonerette come the morning light.

THE ARSENAL!