register to 888sport
888sport time:

Featured Sport News

Gunners plan semi shock

Author: Brandon Barker
Date: 04/05/2009

The Emirates Stadium plays host to the second leg of the Champions League semi-final between Arsenal and Manchester United, with the latter holding a 1-0 lead from the first leg.

John O'Shea's strike separates the two sides going into a return which is bound to be tense throughout.

United are hoping to become the first side to defend the title of Europe's top club during the Champions League era, with Sir Alex Ferguson aiming to make even more history during his incredible reign at Old Trafford.

His team, with several first-teamers rested, made no mistake in the league at the weekend, winning 2-0 at Middlesbrough to remain firmly on course for a third straight domestic crown.

Ferguson said after that success: "We have to concentrate on what we have to do. We have to approach each game in the right way.

"We're in a good position, there's no question about that. We just have to go and enjoy it, we have to express ourselves."

The likes of Anderson, Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick will all return to the United midfield, while Carlos Tevez is likely to be preferred in attack to Dimitar Berbatov.

Rio Ferdinand appears to have recovered from the rib injury he sustained in the first leg of this tie last week and was able to train on Monday.

The Gunners also enjoyed a successful weekend, easing to a 3-0 victory at Portsmouth despite Arsene Wenger fielding a largely second-choice line-up.

However, Wenger must be frustrated in being unable to field Andrey Arshavin in Europe, with the Russian having made a superb start to life with the Gunners since his arrival from Zenit St Petersburg.

Despite the absence of one of Europe's most creative players, however, Wenger has sounded positive ever since the first leg defeat and is supremely confident that his side can derail United.

He told his club's official website: "We feel we will perform better on Tuesday night and are still completely in it.

"We can have an attacking style at home without conceding goals, that is what we want on Tuesday night.

"I believe in the strength of character in this team and their desire to go through - that will certainly be a huge motivation."

With the tie so well poised ahead of Tuesday's action, it is easy to use the clich that the first goal will be crucial.

If United get on the scoresheet first, they will be well on their way to the Rome Final, but if the home side strike, then it will be game on.

United boss Ferguson predicted a classic tie when the draw was made and he may well be proved right when the two sides meet in the capital on Tuesday.

online betting