Football : Season 08/09 - Page 85

**Damien** · 16-04-2009, 11:03

Arsenal are in good form, and United are not in the form they were a month or so ago. So I think Arsenal do stand a good chance of beating United. Considering we do have a 50/50 ratio against them I think it's a hard game to call.

I don't think Chelsea will beat Barca though, So I predict a Arsenal vs Barca final.

LondonRoad · 16-04-2009, 11:21

I don't think there's much between all four sides. Too close to call. I'm looking forward to both semis.

If I was forced to put money on it I've got a sneeky feeling for Arsenal this year....... but then again they've lost Gallas, and MU have Ferdinand so maybe they'll retain it..... but Terry will be back and Drogba is on fire so the blues look good..... but when Barca play like they did against BM they're unstoppable..... why have I so many splinters on my ar$e?

punky · 16-04-2009, 12:05

I'm not saying this as a Spurs fan but I think there is more chance of Chelsea beating Barcelona than Arsenal beating United. United have been in patchy form lately but Ferguson appears to have steadied the ship somewhat (thanks in no small part to Macheda). Even a shakey United team can deal with Arsenal. If gooners think they can walk over United like they did with Villareal, they are much mistaken.

ATM i'd say Barcelona would edge United in the final, but you never know what happens between then and now.

**Damien** · 16-04-2009, 12:23

I don't think it's fair to say "even a shakey United team can deal with Arsenal". A much less shaky United team lost to Arsenal at the Emirates earlier in the season and that was when Arsenal were not in the form they are in now.

United still do not look like the team that swept all before them a few months ago, They look beatable and far from as convincing as before. Arsenal are coming into form at the right time of the season and it would be foolish to want to play them now. I see United being only slim favourites before the match.

Of course, United will rise their game. Hopefully Arsenal will too. No one is saying Arsenal will walk all over United but I think it's going to be close.

It's gonna be great

Shadow Demon UK · 16-04-2009, 12:36

I think most unbiased football fans know that the best match would be between the two best teams in the world with the two best players in the world - Man Utd v Barca

But the more i think about it the more i think Chelsea have a better chance than most are giving them. Barca's lead in la liga has gone down to 6 points ahead of Madrid who were truely awful against Liverpool, but if Barca play like they did against Bayern last week, they should win comfortably.

We're getting key players back at the right time (Rio, Berbatov etc) and Arsenal are starting to pick up injuries, even though Arsenal are in good form i think we are regaining ours and showed it last night, so i reckon we should win.

Russ · 16-04-2009, 14:22

2 upsides to United winning the final. 1st would obviously be winning the trophy and secondly would likely be the sacking of Arsene Wenger. Think about it - if they finish empty handed this season again it would be 5 years since they won a trophy and I can't see the Arsenal board putting up with that, especially with Real Madrid apparently being interested in him.

**Damien** · 16-04-2009, 14:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ B

2 upsides to United winning the final. 1st would obviously be winning the trophy and secondly would likely be the sacking of Arsene Wenger. Think about it - if they finish empty handed this season again it would be 5 years since they won a trophy and I can't see the Arsenal board putting up with that, especially with Real Madrid apparently being interested in him.

No way is he going to be fired if he fails to win either cup this season. Recent form has shown sides of a resurgent Arsenal as well, Certainly one who could win trophies. I think Arsenal fans are still fully behind Wenger and have a lot of patience. Especially considering how difficult a league the Premiership has now become.

Russ · 16-04-2009, 14:28

5 years without any trophies? Plus they've got a new stadium to pay for which IIRC has never been filled. Can't see him staying.

**Damien** · 16-04-2009, 14:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ B

5 years without any trophies? Plus they've got a new stadium to pay for which IIRC has never been filled. Can't see him staying.

May never have been 'filled' but that doesn't mean no ones going. I still find it very difficult to get a seat, they often 'sell-out' even if people are not attending for whatever reason. The cost is fine though, Arsenal are much richer and Wenger does not spend too much money. I mean how much does his current squad cost in total?

I can see him staying, he has full support of the club. The only way he would go is if he wanted to leave, which I again do not see happening. I can wait longer for trophies, as can most Arsenal fans. As long as it looks like Arsenal are not seriously regressing..

SB_07 · 18-04-2009, 00:49

lol@sacking Wenger.

iadom · 18-04-2009, 19:16

Not the most inspiring game you will see, but that Wembley pitch is awful.

Bads news for Man Utd & Everton having to play on that tomorrow. It looks as though they have had the Horse of the Year Show on it, come to think of it they just have.

Jim.

Shadow Demon UK · 18-04-2009, 19:26

I hope Fabianski's still playing in goal when we play them in Europe, he's awful, even worse than Cech

Turkey Machine · 18-04-2009, 19:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadow Demon UK

I hope Fabianski's still playing in goal when we play them in Europe, he's awful, even worse than Cech

That sounds like good news! Will watch the highlights later, was listening to it on 5-Live while bombing round Monza in a BRM P83 on Grand Prix Legends. Pesky BRM still couldn't drown out the crowd!

**Damien** · 18-04-2009, 19:58

Russ · 18-04-2009, 19:59

Another trophy slips through Arsenal's fingers....