The Numbers Game

United had so much to play for against Arsenal. A commanding nine point lead at the top of the Premiership. The satisfaction of being the first team to beat Arsenal at the fabulous Emirates Stadium. Victory over one of their biggest rivals in a game between the two sides widely regarded as the best attacking teams in the country. And revenge for the Gunners’ triumph at Old Trafford earlier in the season.

They certainly came out of the traps fast. For the first 5 minutes Arsenal scarcely touched the ball as United enjoyed 80% possession and virtually pinned the Gunners in their own half – so much so that it took the home side 10 minutes to mount a meaningful attack. Then gradually the game became more evenly balanced. Adebayor floated a pinpoint cross which left Thierry Henry with only Van der Saar to beat, but the Frenchman’s header lacked pace and direction. Four minutes later, Gary Neville’s challenge brought Henry down in the box but Steve Bennett chose to disregard what looked like a clear penalty. At the other end, Lehmann brought off a brilliant diving save from Rooney’s volley, then as the corner came in he somehow produced an even better one from Larsson’s low header.

But the second half belonged to Arsenal despite the fact that United snatched a lead after Evra’s terrific run and cross was headed home at the far post by Wayne Rooney and in the end the home side’s pressure told. First Rosicky’s low cross was dummied by Henry for Robin Van Persie to power in at the far post and in added time Emmanuel Eboue produced the perfect cross for Henry to head a dramatic winner.

In some respects it all came down to arithmetic. The side with 5 players over 30, 1 near 30, 3 in their mid-20s and 2 in their early 20s was beaten in the last 10 minutes by the team with only 1 player over 30, 1 near 30, 3 in their mid 20s, 4 in their early 20s and 1 teenager. Something which is unlikely to have escaped Sir Alex Ferguson’s attention.