Arsenal – Manchester United

1. Hello, I'm Alex and I'll be guiding you through tonight's Premiership clash between Arsenal and Manchester United.

2. In season's past, this fixture would have been a title decider. Not any more. It is still, however, a important game between two massive clubs.

3. Some team news: Paul Scholes sits out after suffering blurred vision as a result of a knock picked up at Birmingham last week.

4. Beset by injuries himself, Arsene Wenger included Robert Pires and Jose Antonio Reyes for the sidelined Freddie Ljungberg and Robin van Persie.

5. Manchester United kick off.

6. 1'

   As you might expect, it's a full-house at Highbury, for what might be the last clash between these two rivals at this famous old ground.

7. 2'

   A loose pass from Henry on the edge of the Manchester United penalty area ends a promising Arsenal move.

8. 2'

   The home side seem to have set up in a 4-5-1 formation, with Henry up front on his own. He will be supported by Pires and Reyes on the flanks.

9. 3'

   Fabregas slides a great ball in to the path of Pires, breaking down the right channel, but Brown is across quick to cover and put the ball out for a throw.

10. 4'

    Pires plays a good ball in to the penalty area, where Hleb attempts to hit a first-time shot on the half-volley. It's a horrible mis-cue, and the chance goes.

11. 4'

    Henry attempts to initiate some typically-intricate passing on the edge of the penalty area, although his touch is too heavy and Van Der Sar collects.

12. 5'

    Cygan puts the ball out for the first corner of the match, although Arsenal deal with the threat quite comfortably.

13. 6'

    Van Nistelrooy is being booed by a section of the crowd, Arsenal fans I presume. He is seen as a figure-head of the rivalry between these two sides following his part in the infamous clash at Old Trafford two seasons ago.

14. 7'

    Both these sides have taken seven points out of nine so far in this festive period. Chelsea, meanwhile, have taken 12 from 12.

15. 8'

    There have been a couple of strong challenges so far in the opening minutes, but nothing out of the ordinary. Good atmosphere, though.

16. 9'

    Lehmann makes a late decision to come out of his area and slide the ball out for a throw as Rooney doggedly chased down Van Der Sar's long pass up-field.

17. 10'

    Reyes brilliantly controls Campbell's long pass out to the left wing, and wins his side a free-kick as he draws a foul out of a disgusted Neville.

18. 10'

    CLOSE! The free-kick is half-cleared to Fabregas, on the edge of the penalty area. The youngster hits his shot first-time, but it just slides off his boot and flies a yard or so wide of the post. Good effort.

19. 11'

    Arsenal enjoy a good spell with the ball inside the United half, although the move ends when Lauren's cross is easily claimed by Van Der Sar.

20. 12'

    So far, United haven't been able to get Ronaldo on the ball, running at Cygan in the Arsenal left-back position. They will have identified the lumbering Frenchman as a weak spot in the Arsenal side.

21. 13'

    The Gunners win their first corner of the match when Pires' cross is put behind. Reyes clips the ball in to the middle, but O'Shea heads clear.

22. 13'

    Again, Arsenal have a long spell with the ball, 30 yards out from the United goal. But again, they try to over-play a little and Brown is able to break up the move.

23. 14'

    Reyes comes in from his position on the left wing. He collects the ball from Hleb and attempts to thread a pass through to Henry, but it is slightly over-hit and the ball runs out for a goal-kick.

24. 15'

    Although Arsenal are effectively playing with five men in midfield, they are prepared to get plenty of players forward when they have the ball.

25. 16'

    Finally, Ronaldo gets the chance to run at Cygan, but Reyes comes back to help his team-mate and together they manage to put the ball out for a throw.

26. 16'

    SHOT! Pires' first-time shot from the right-edge of the penalty area is turned around his near post by Van Der Sar. Corner.

27. 17'

    United deal with the corner, O'Shea heading clear.

28. 18'

    Certainly, Arsenal have started slightly the stronger this evening, forcing Van Der Sar in to two smart saves.

29. 19'

    WIDE! Ronaldo has United's first shot of the evening, latching on to a loose ball 35 yards out. Unfortunately for the visitors, he doesn't catch his effort sweetly and drags it well, well wide.

30. 20'

    This is the fourth game in nine games for both these sides, so it would be understandable if the players start to tire as the game goes on.

31. 21'

    Brown does well to break up an Arsenal attack involving Reyes and Fabregas down the left wing.

32. 22'

    Rooney does wonderfully well to control Van Nistelrooy's pass in to the penalty area, although, despite a number of tricks, he can't work the space for a shot.

33. 23'

    Arsenal immediately break through Pires, but he opts for a more difficult pass than might have been necessary and Neville puts the ball out on the back post. Corner.

34. 24'

    Henry whips a dangerous corner in to the penalty area, but Brown does well to anticipate the danger and put the ball out for another corner.

35. 25'

    Giggs attempts an audacious first-time volley from inside his own half as he latched on to Lehmann's mis-hit clearance. The United winger connects with his shot well, but it flies well wide of the post.

36. 26'

    Giggs is booked after he slightly catches Reyes on the back of the ankle. The Spaniard went to ground like he's been shot by a Springfield Rifle.

37. 27'

    Rooney makes his complaints about the booking known to the fourth official on the sidelines, and is then spoken to by Referee Poll.

38. 28'

    Henry curls another dangerous corner in to the middle of the penalty area, but Ferdinand marks Campbell well and the ball drifts out for a goal-kick.

39. 29'

    It has been an interesting first half-hour, but the game has hardly had the spark and excitement of old. In fact, it's been quite tame.

40. 30'

    Arsenal win a free-kick within shooting range as Fletcher handles, 35 yards out. Henry stands over the ball as the United players form their defensive wall...

41. 31'

    OOOH! Superb effort from Henry, curling his effort towards the top corner. Van Der Sar is beaten, but the ball flies a foot or so wide of the post.

42. 32'

    Van Der Sar requires some treatment on his ankle; it looked like he clashed with his post when he was diving to try and keep out Henry's free-kick.

43. 33'

    Both teams have looked quite solid at the back, and their frontmen have had real trouble working the space to create meaningful chances.

44. 34'

    Ronaldo and Giggs have swapped sides for United as the visitors look for a way through this Arsenal defence.

45. 35'

    The game has become a little scrappy at the moment, with both sides struggling to exert any authority in the midfield area, where it all seems quite congested.

46. 36'

    It was thought that there might be goals in this game, because the pressure had been lifted on both sides. No signs of a breakthrough yet, however.

47. 37'

    Even the crowd are struggling to lift themselves above a quite murmur.

48. 38'

    Gilberto jumps in two-footed as he tries to win a tackle with Rooney; thankfully, he gets the ball and there is no damage done. Free-kick, but no booking.

49. 39'

    Arsenal have had plenty of the ball, but they are so narrow that United are easily able to defend their cute little passing moves through the middle.

50. 40'

    Unfortunately for United, although they have been able to soak up everything the home side have thrown at them, they have offered absolutely nothing themselves going forward.

51. 41'

    United's have real quality in attack when they get the ball to the feet of Rooney, Giggs and Ronaldo, but O'Shea and Fletcher have been unable to do so often enough in this first half.

52. 42'

    Lauren is booked for a late sliding tackle on Ronaldo as the young winger knocked the ball past him on the left wing. Poor challenge from the Cameroonian, and he is rightly cautioned.

53. 43'

    WHAT A CHANCE! Van Nistelrooy's shot from the edge of the area is well saved by Lehmann; the ball rolls in to the path of Ronaldo, but he blazes his shot over an emoty goal from eight yards out.

54. 44'

    Ronaldo really should have knocked that loose ball in to the net; Lehmann was scrambling across his goal, but the United winger had plenty time and space to bury his shot.

55. 45'

    United are finishing the half with a spell of pressure; Giggs sends a couple of useful crosses in to the middle, but Arsenal deal with them fairly comfortably.

56. 46'

    HALF-TIME: Arsenal have had a lot of the ball, but have been able to create only a couple of half-chances. Not the thriller we've become accustomed to.

57. 45'

    Arsenal kick off the second half.

58. 45'

    The home side need the win a lot more than United, so I expect them to come out a lot faster and harder than they played in the first period.

59. 46'

    Ferdinand comes over the top of Henry as the two challenged for a high ball. Arsenal free-kick, 35 yards out.

60. 46'

    Henry clips the ball in to the middle, but Gilberto's deflection takes the ball away from Campbell and the ball runs out for a goal-kick.

61. 47'

    Giggs has started on the right wing for United, which is something of a surprise; Ronaldo could really take advantage of the Frenchman's lack of pace should they come up against each other.

62. 48'

    Arsenal have Bergkamp on the bench, and if things don't liven up sometime soon, I should think they will want to get him involved.

63. 49'

    Reyes wins his side a corner when he runs on to a pass and flicks the ball off Brown. Reyes takes the corner himself, but Ferdinand heads clear.

64. 49'

    Van Nistelrooy sprints on to a through ball by O'Shea, but the off-side flag stops him in his tracks. A close decision for the linesman to make, but replays show he got it correct.

65. 50'

    There has been some very patient build-up play by both sides, but the final ball has always been lacking a little quality.

66. 51'

    SHOT! Henry has a volley blocked on the edge of the area by Ferdinand after he had mis-controlled Lauren's cross.

67. 52'

    ROONEY! Giggs clips an excellent cross in to the area, but Rooney's header from 10 yards drifts wide of the far post. Not an easy attempt for the youngster.

68. 53'

    Hleb has been a little disappointing for Arsenal tonight; he hasn't exactly been wasteful with the ball, but he hasn't created anything either.

69. 54'

    Rooney earns himself a chat with Referee Poll, seemingly for complaining about a free-kick decision.

70. 55'

    Pires shows good defensive awareness to track back and put in a tackle on Rooney after the youngster had nicked the ball away from Campbell and set off goalwards.

71. 56'

    WOEFUL! Ronaldo breaks down the right wing and sends over a high, deep cross. Giggs is stealing in at the back post, but his first-time shot on the half-volley flies high and wide of Lehmann's post.

72. 57'

    BLOCK! Henry's clipped free-kick in to the middle of a crowded penalty area falls at the feet of Gilberto, but Brown blocks on his six-yard box.

73. 58'

    That was a good chance for the Arsenal midfielder, but Brown again showed his defensive worth with a crucial block.

74. 59'

    CHANCE! Van Nistelrooy breaks the off-side trap, latches on to Campbell's mis-kick, but blasts his shot a yard or so wide of the post. He should have at least got that on target - poor effort from the United striker.

75. 60'

    The game has finally come to life a little in the last ten minutes or so - and it's United that seem to have found their feet first. They look a lot more threatening now.

76. 61'

    GREAT DEFENDING! Ronaldo slides a low cross in to the middle from the right-hand side, but Toure slides in with Van Nistelrooy at the near post to put the ball behind for a corner.

77. 62'

    Pires and Reyes combine down the right-hand side, but Ferdinand is quicker than Henry to the ball and clears the danger.

78. 63'

    Rooney is booked after a challenge on the slidelines leaves Pires face-first in the advertising hoardings.

79. 64'

    OUCH! Brown breaks from defence, combines with Ronaldo down the right and clips a great cross in to the middle. Van Nistelrooy attempts to turn the ball home, but instead catches Lauren in the head with a boot as the defender cleared.

80. 65'

    The game is being played at a much higher tempo now; both sides are managing to put the other under a little pressure when they push forward - something that didn't happen in the first half.

81. 66'

    Cygan is booked for a foul on Ronaldo. No arguments; it was a late challenge that took the United winger's legs from under him.

82. 67'

    SAVE! Henry uses his pace to take the ball inside the United penalty area. He slides a shot across goal, Pires dives in, but Van Der Sar bravely collects.

83. 68'

    PENALTY SHOUT! Neville strongly challenges Fabregas inside the penalty area, sending the youngster toppling. Henry plays on and misses a glorious chance, and then is livid at Referee Poll for not awarding the spot-kick.

84. 69'

    BLOCK! Hleb puts in a crucial block on Van Nistelrooy as the United striker looked set to turn the ball past Lehmann from three yards out.

85. 70'

    It has been entertaining, thrilling stuff from both sides since the break. There have been chances at either end that should have been taken.

86. 71'

    GOOD HANDS! Ronaldo beats Campbell with a step-over on the right wing and fires a great low cross in to the middle, but Lehmann collects brilliantly inside his own six-yard box.

87. 72'

    Silvestre brings down Pires on the right wing as the Arsenal midfielder attempted to cut in from the flank.

88. 73'

    ARSENAL SUB: Bergkamp replaces Hleb; an attacking change from Wenger as he seeks a winner. UNITED SUB: Park replaces Giggs; it's a like-for-like change from Ferguson, with the South Korean taking up his position on the left flank.

89. 74'

    As the game enters its final stages, both sides look well capable of stealing the points.

90. 75'

    Rooney is still throwing himself about, despite being on a booking. He was lucky not to earn himself a second yellow card a few minutes ago after he deliberately handled.

91. 76'

    Cygan is fortunate not to give away a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area when he is beaten by a shoulder-sway from Ronaldo.

92. 77'

    Perhaps inevitably, the tempo has slowed a little since that frantic ten minutes ago. Both sides look to be tiring, too.

93. 79'

    ARSENAL SUB: Flamini replaces Fabregas in the middle of the park for the home side. Fabregas has had a lot of football in the last few weeks, and was looking a little jaded.

94. 80'

    Brown spots Neville's run behind Cygan and finds his captain with a nice lofted pass. Neville sends the ball in low, left-footed, but Rooney and Van Nistelrooy don't anticipate and Arsenal can clear.

95. 81'

    SHOT! A tough chance for Park as he hooks a volley over his shoulder and high over the crossbar.

96. 82'

    Ronaldo wins his side a corner when his cross from the right is deflected behind. The youngster takes the corner himself, but Flamini clears.

97. 83'

    Great dedication from Rooney as he tracks Henry's break down the left, tackles the Arsenal skipper and then retains possession with a cute backheel.

98. 84'

    Another late United corner as Cygan, perhaps unneccessarily, puts the ball behind as a cross came over to the back post.

99. 84'

    CHANCE! Rooney, oddly, is United's deepest defender from a corner. He collects a headed clearance before drilling an amazing pass in to the run of Neville, who, stretching, slides the ball a foot past Lehmann's near post.

100. 85'

     A Brown push on Bergkamp on the edge of the area is spotted by the linesman. Arsenal free-kick, in a dangerous spot...

101. 86'

     ...Reyes stands over the ball...

102. 86'

     ...but his shot is blocked by the United wall.

103. 87'

     Rooney is finishing as the strongest player on the pitch. He collects Neville's pass inside the centre-ciricle, runs hard at the Arsenal defence and tries a through ball to Ronaldo, though Cygan does well to intercept.

104. 88'

     United win a free-kick, and the chance to send a dangerous cross in to the crowded Arsenal penalty area. But, incredibly, instead of crossing, the younster attempts to shoot with the outside of his boot - and sends the ball high and wide of Lehmann's goal.

105. 89'

     ARSENAL SUB: Eboue replaces Reyes.

106. 90'

     Rooney slides a great pass in to Van Nistelrooy, but Lehmann comes out to collect. The off-side flag was raised in any case.

107. 91'

     A slip from Cygan necessitates a desperate swing of his boot to deny Park the chance to run in at goal. United corner...

108. 91'

     OFF THE LINE! Brown climbs highest to win the header from Park's corner. He plants a header goalwards, but Eboue clears on the line.

109. 92'

     Park's corner is half-cleared to Rooney; the youngster is faced by three on-rushing Arsenal defenders and he blasts his shot high over the crossbar.

110. 93'

     FULL-TIME: A tight, hard-fought affair ends goalless. Arsenal's five-man midfield kept United largely under-wraps and stiffled the life out of the game. A point apiece is about the right result.

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