SEMI-FINAL FIRST LEG
Man Utd v
Arsenal (1945 BST)
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606: DEBATE
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To get involved use 606 or text us your views & comments on 81111 . (Not all contributions can be used)
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By Jonathan Stevenson
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From Slider on 606:
"Does anyone else miss Vieira and Keano on nights like these...?"
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1846: Anyone expecting Fergie and Wenger to crank up the mind games chat ahead of tonight will have been left sorely disappointed. Here's our favourite Frenchman: "I believe we have a better relationship now." And here's our favourite Scot: "Arsene has always kept his principles the same and I think that's great credit to him." Jeez, get a room...
1842:
However, Arsenal did win when these two teams last met - cast your minds back to November, when Frenchman Samir Nasri bagged a brace and Rafael's left-foot stunner was nothing more than a consolation.
Report:
Arsenal 2-1 Man Utd
1839: Manchester United have never lost a semi-final to Arsenal - that includes three FA Cup semis and a League Cup last-four clash. And in Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, they have two players who have won semis against the Gunners before.
From Matt, Broadstairs, via text on 81111: "First timer here! As a United fan we need an early goal like in the Liverpool game, but then have to keep pressing - not just sit back. Realistically I think Arsenal will get the away goal, but we will get the win."
1834: Manchester United always put on a show, don't they? Take Saturday, for example - 2-0 down at half-time at home to Spurs and in serious trouble, yet ending up emphatic 5-2 winners. Arsenal are in decent nick, too - they've gone 20 Premier League games unbeaten. Where, oh where, is your money?
From Magic8BaLL on 606:
"Hopefully there will be a dodgy penalty, some X-rated challenges (no injuries of course) and a 22-man brawl. That should get Wenger and Fergie hating each other again; it's just not right seeing those two getting along."
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BBC Sport's Phil McNulty at Old Trafford: "Anticipation building already at a sunlit Old Trafford. Fans of both sides are already gathered in their numbers outside the ground and the Stretford End has a mosaic in place in the shape of three Champions League trophies, just to underscore Manchester United's superior record to Arsenal's in Europe's elite competition.
"Sir Alex Ferguson talks in his programme notes about his desire to make United the first club to mount a successful defence of the Champions League, saying: "Talk is cheap but faint heart never won fair lady and it's something I would dearly love to achieve."
"Arsenal stand in the way on what promises to be an epic occasion."
1825: Line-ups, I should imagine, will be on their way in the next 20 minutes or so. Can you wait? I'm not sure I can. For those of you missing Stevo's Predo already, here's a half-hearted attempt at pacifying you: I reckon Carlitos Tevez will start tonight.
1823: So, here we are. At the business end of another rollercoaster season, and yet again with a brace of English teams going head-to-head in the Champions League semis. The Premier League really is the best in the world, isn't it? Let's hope we can put on a show tonight.
1820: Predos are flying around on the texts and on 606, so far ranging from 0-0 to 6-2 to United. But here's my bombshell news: There will be no Stevo's Predo tonight. In the interests of partiality and - more importantly - not jinxing the game, I'm giving it a night off.
From Joe, Guildford, via text on 81111: "Both defences look reasonably shaky right now, I fancy a score draw."
From KloseButNoCigar on 606:
"Having accurately predicted that Messi would be ineffectual yesterday, I'm going to say that Ronaldo will give a fantastic performance, proving that he still really is the best player in the world. If Arsenal score within the first 35 minutes we're going to see goals. If not, it could be a long evening."
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1809: If there's one thing I'd like to do before we start, it's just confirm what most of you know already - I'm a neutral, and as such will endeavour to bring you the chat from Old Trafford with as much balance as is humanly possible. Without getting too Alan Partridge on you, I'd like football to be the winner. Unlike last night.
1805:
I'd very much place money on you wanting to get involved today, so here's how to do just that - and don't worry if you've never got stuck in before, because days like these are crying out for first-timers. You can send your texts to 81111,
and there is a thread up and running on 606
which will welcome your comments with open arms. Ah, go on.
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1800: In the long, proud, illustrious history of football, Manchester United and Arsenal have never met in European competition.
In 105 minutes time, that remarkable fact will be consigned to the dustbin of the past.
A very, very warm welcome to the second Champions League semi-final.
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