No Rooney, No Cesc - but I still fancy United and Arsenal

So you lose your best player, you get played off the park, you waste possession and you have an uphill battle to make it through to the UEFA Champions League Semi-finals. This is the same scenario facing both Manchester United and Arsenal. Rooney and Fabregas have been their team's talismen - they have scored the goals, lead the passion and been integral to the best efforts of both sides. Cesc is out for the rest of the season while Rooney will probably only miss three to four weeks (a nation's relief being tangible). Regardless they go into the second legs of their Quarter Final matches struggling on the scoreline and without their main men.

Barcelona looked ever impressive on Wednesday with Xavi dominating (112 passes, 95 completed vs Fabregas 39 passes, 31 completed) and Zlatan seemingly getting the hang of scoring in the UCL. It seems that with that kind of dominance Barcelona will walk the second leg and the Gunners will surely drift to a trophy-less close season. While on Tuesday, United seemed to score too early and almost knock themselves out. Bayern played some great stuff and if Robben can get fit for the return then it will be a very tough night for United as Bayern. It was a stange performance by United who were so sloppy with the ball, and wastefull with it - even Mr Rooney (despite scoring again) had a bit of an off-night.

Yet it would not surprise me to see the two English sides progress.

Both sides need to win their return, I think the last 20 minutes should be a blueprint for Wenger on how to approach the Camp Nou. Let Barcelona come on to you and then break with pace - Walcott has to start - and if Maxwell retains his place at leftback Arsenal should look to get the ball to Theo at every opportunity as he scared the hell out of them. While the quite Nasri on the left has the potential to exloit the amazing Alves who seems to have lungs better than Darren Fletcher, but seems to spend more time attacking than defending. As Barca knock the ball around and dominate possession (as they will do), Arsenal just need to be patient for their moments to press and break with pace, they also need to be clinical and if they create a chance then they must take it. To me Barcelona are more vulnerable at home than away and I just fancy the Gooners pulling a little surprise on Pep and his troops.

As for United, it is probably an easier task at first glance. They need to win,  and on reflection Ferguson is probably happy to have the away goal and will back his men at Old Trafford. It feels like one of those matches that will hit 75 minutes with it being 0-0 and the tie on a knife-edge. If United score then they will want to get the second goal as 1-0 is as  dangerous a score for them as 0-0. We will see but I fancy United to steal it 1-0....in fact, I wonder what the odds are on a injury time winner for United?!

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The other quick point to reference is the other English team in doing well in Europe (im not including Liverpool) and that is the mighty Fulham. Once again last night they played great and have a shot at the semis - what a fantastic story that would be for Roy Hodgson and once again my main man Bobby Zamora made the difference - I do hope he gets a shot against Mexico or Japan....just have a look at him Fabio.

 

Posted via web from The Beautiful Game