EPL: Arsenal vs. Manchester United

The promos that FOX had been running all week to build this game up talked about the 8-2 thrashing the Gunners took at Old Trafford earlier this season. Since those those early season woes, an obvious low point for the squad under Wenger, Arsenal has somewhat gotten back on their horse, qualifying for the knock out stage of the Champions League and propelling themselves into 5th spot in the Premier League.

What everybody watching knew today was that Arsenal had to start getting it done against teams like United to really convince people they were back in it as far as the race for the Champions League spots goes. Could they prove that today, or would they hit another low? After all, they had lost back to back matches coming into this one, including a crushing defeat at Swansea last week when the newly promoted side totally outplayed them.

The Gunners tried to start the game brightly, and although they had the possession in the opening minutes, they got very little that resembled an actual chance. Aaron Ramsey rolled a shot in on goal in the 8th minute, and Theo Walcott put forth a a meager effort in the 11th, both easily saved by Anders Lindegaard.

After the opening 10 minute control by the Gunners, Manchester United slowly started to take over. In truth, it was a rather lackluster first half effort from both sides. Both Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney managed to test the 'keeper in the 23rd and 35th minutes, respectively, but it wasn't until the stroke of halftime that they converted. Ryan Giggs came up the wing totally unmarked and sent in a gorgeous cross that was headed into the goal by Antonio Valencia to make it 0-1 in first half stoppage time.

Wenger must have actually raised his voice at halftime, because the Gunners came out much more lively, trying to push their way back into the match. They almost managed it in the 51st minute as Robin Van Persie found himself staring at the net at almost point blank range after a United defensive blunder, but somehow the Dutch striker managed to put his shot wide.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain made his first EPL start today for Arsenal, and the 18 year old was one of the few, if not the only bright spot for the Gunners. In the 61st minute he had a great chance to equalize but just sent his shot wide. Then in the 71st minute he put a great ball into Van Persie on a counter attack that RVP just managed to knock past Lindegaard to tie the match at 1-1.

Then Arsene Wenger did something incredibly stupid. He subbed out the wonderfully performing Chamberlain for the utterly useless Andrei Arshavin. The crowd at the Emirates actually booed the sub. Arshavin didn't waste much time making his presence felt in all the wrong ways. In the 81st minute he let Valencia slip right by him in the area. Valencia then centered to Danny Welbeck who slotted home the goal to make it 1-2 to United. It proved to be the game winning goal, as the rest of the match descended into bad tackles and yellow cards, and the crowd virtually booing Arshavin and Wenger off the pitch. What a dumb move.

ROBIN VAN PERSIE SCORES IN THE SECOND HALF. (Mike Hewitt--Getty Images)