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Camden Sports - by TOM FOOT
Published: 30 April 2009

Now it’s all to do at the Emirates

Champions League
Semi-Final 1st Leg
Man Utd 1 Arsenal 0

ARSENAL’S Champions League hopes hang tantalisingly in the balance after Manchester United ran out 1-0 winners at Old Trafford last night (Wednesday).
Without the crucial away goal to take back to Emirates, the Gunners backline will have to hold firm in the return leg of the semi-final clash on Tuesday.
A snap shot from John O’Shea put the home side ahead on 18 minutes after the left-back found himself in space around the penalty spot.
United overwhelmed the Gunners at times, and Arsene Wenger will be pleased they have only taken a slender advantage overall.
Manuel Almunia blocked a point-blank Cristiano Ronaldo header before the winger crashed a 30-yarder against the crossbar as United were denied a second.
Striker Emmanuel Adebayor bumbled around up front and Theo Walcott seemed uncharacteristically flat on the wing.
Arsenal never seriously threatened United apart from a tame Cesc Fabregas shot and a volley from Adebayor that sailed over the bar.
Walcott was substituted in the second half for Nicklas Bendtner.
He arguably had the Gunners’ best chance of the match after meeting a cross from Cesc Fabregas.
But with keeper Edwin Van der Saar sprawling in no-man’s land and the goal at his mercy, the Dane’s header angled well wide.
Leg-break hero Eduardo came on with 10 minutes remaining. But there was no fairy-tale equaliser and Gunners now face a nail-biting night at the Emirates on Tuesday.

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