Arsenal are left with only the league to fight for after defeat at Old Trafford compounds a thoroughly miserable fortnight for Arsene Wenger’s men. Fergie juggled his squad ahead of European matters and had Edwin Van der Saar to thank for keeping the Gunners at bay. Bolton show their battling side to finally end Birmingham’s winning run in domestic cup competitions, a result that allows Big Eck to concentrate purely on his club’s fight for top-flight survival from here on in. Here’s the Scout Notes from yesterday’s FA Cup Quarter Finals….
Sir Alex Ferguson admitted he had next week’s Champions League tie with Marseille on his mind when selecting Man United’s starting XI for yesterday’s FA Cup quarter final with Arsenal. The United first half line-up contained seven recognised defenders; with Darren Fletcher still suffering from an illness and Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes rested, John O’Shea joined Darren Gibson in central midfield, with Rafael and Fabio da Silva playing as wingers in a 4-4-2. Dimitar Berbatov, once again, found himself on the bench as Javier Hernandez partnered Wayne Rooney up front.
One nil up at half-time thanks to a Fabio goal, Fergie changed to 4-1-4-1 in the second half, as Antonio Valencia returned to his right wing berth after six months on the sidelines with a broken leg. Rafael was moved into central midfield and possibly suggests the United boss views him as a more versatile player than initially anticipated. Wayne Rooney moved out left but, nevertheless, continued his good goalscoring form, with his sixth goal in the last eight games putting the game beyond the visitor’s reach. Paul Scholes can consider himself lucky to stay on the pitch, however, with a series of mindless challenges in the latter challenges of the match only earning him a single yellow card from referee Chris Foy.
Arsene Wenger was without the injured Cesc Fabregas but Robin van Persie started for the Gunners trip to Old Trafford. With Alex Song still injured, Denilson joined Jack Wilshere in the central defensive midfield engine room for Arsenal, allowing Abou Diaby to play just behind Van Persie in the Fabregas role. Despite having the vast majority of possession and registering plenty shots on target, Arsenal could not breach the United goal, thanks mainly to the heriocs of Edwin Van der Saar between the sticks, a fact the United manager acknowledged after the match.
Wenger will have to make do without the services of Johan Djourou for the rest of the season, after the centre half was stretchered from the proceedings with a serious shoulder injury. The defender has been a revelation at the heart of Arsenal’s defence and has chalked up nine clean sheets in his fifteen league starts this season. With Thomas Vermaelen still sidelined, the Gunners have just two centre halves available- Sebastien Squillaci and Laurent Koscielny- for selection, as they brace themselves for the two-way battle for the title with United.
Birmingham’s extended cup runs continue to plague the club with injuries; Alex McLeish made five changes to the side that drew at Goodison Park in midweek, as the likes of Roger Johnson missed out with a muscle injury and Liam Ridgewell dropped to the bench with a slight strain. Big Eck welcomed back Barry Ferguson into the fold and, with Nikola Zigic failing a late fitness test, Kevin Phillips partnered Cameron Jerome up front for the Carling Cup winners.
As the game progressed, the injury situation merely worsened; Ridgewell was forced into the action before the half hour mark as an ankle knock saw Martin Jiranek leave the proceedings. Ferguson also lasted less than 30 minutes, before a knee injury ended his participation. Both Jerome and Phillips found the net in a cracker of a cup tie but just as the tie looked to be heading for a replay, the Blues’ aspirations were finally extinguished in the 89th minute by Chung-Yong Lee.
McLeish can only hope his key personnel recover quickly as he now prepares to fully focus on the club’s relegation battle in the upcoming weeks; Birmingham sit outside the drop zone only due to a superior goal difference over West Ham. With just one win in their last eight home games and two wins away all season, they need to find their form, and fast.
Owen Coyle made just one change for Bolton’s trip to St Andrews; Daniel Sturridge is cup-tied, giving Ivan Klasnic a chance to start for the Trotters. The striker’s inclusion proved pivotal, as he flicked on for the off-form Johan Elmander to fire the visitors ahead halfway through the first forty five minutes.
A Kevin Davies penalty and assist saw him back amongst the goals and, after a thoroughly disappointing last few months for the front pair (they each have one goal and one assist in their last 15 gameweeks) Coyle will be hoping the two can contribute more as the club return to league duties, where they have picked up three wins and a draw in their last five games. After the match, Coyle spoke of his delight at winning, insisting it is down to the positive mentality he has instilled into the club since his arrival midway through last season.
