Anyone for a replay? Arsenal reached the FA Cup final with far more
controversy than class on a day when the spectre of Manchester United hung over
Old Trafford.
While Arsenal's hotly-disputed winner revived memories of their last FA Cup
tie against Sheffield United four years ago, there were no offers of a rematch
forthcoming this time around.
Not that Arsenal were singularly to blame as they reached their third
consecutive FA Cup final, with David Seaman pulling off a quite miraculous save
on his 1,000th professional appearance to hold United at bay.
Instead, it was referee Graham Poll who chiefly endured the wrath of the First
Division side for his role in the build-up to Fredrik Ljungberg's 35th-minute
strike.
In 1999, Arsenal earned a fair play award after offering to replay the tie as
Kanu had chased a throw-in designed to give the ball back after an injury,
before crossing for Marc Overmars to score.
This time around, there was almost as much controversy but it was all rather
less clear-cut.
For sure, United should have been awarded a free-kick when Sol Campbell fouled
Wayne Allison but it was up to referee Poll to blow up.
Instead, with Allison not having a head wound, Arsenal broke at speed, with
Poll compounding United's grievances by colliding with Michael Tonge to take him
out of the game.
Arsenal took full advantage through Ljungberg and, thanks to Seaman's enduring
reflexes at the age of 39 and yet more good fortune, they eventually prevailed.
It was still no more than a scramble to victory, in contrast to the effortless
way in which Manchester United had scaled the heights of a 6-2 win at Newcastle
24 hours earlier.
But, then again, Arsenal would not have been human if they had not had one eye
on their title contest against Sir Alex Ferguson's side just three days later.
For a reduced-strength side duly produced a reduced-strength performance as
Sheffield United cursed their bad luck.
Arsene Wenger may have had his first-choice defence all fit again, but left
Gilberto Silva, Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp on the bench until the second
half.
It duly showed, with Arsenal lacking a creative spark despite the ceaseless
running of Ray Parlour, even though it was Patrick Vieira who had dominated
United's planning.
The Frenchman was still a class apart from the aspiring talents of Michael
Brown and Tonge, winning possession, holding the ball up, bringing team-mates
into play and producing one imperious run.
Not that Arsenal could actually create any real chances, however, for the
First Division side harried them at every opportunity.
Indeed, it was not until the 35th minute that the game exploded into action,
let alone controversy.
With Allison still lying on the ground after being unceremoniously tackled
from behind by Campbell, Arsenal finally managed to break with their normal pace
and poise.
With first Allison and then Tonge out of the picture, Francis Jeffers was
allowed the space to scuffle his way to the byline.
His low cross was scuffed against the far post by Wiltord, who chased the
loose ball and saw his next effort blocked.
However, the ball only rebounded as far as Ljungberg, who was lurking on the
penalty spot and drove his shot into the roof of the net.
United were livid. Warnock went berserk on the touchline like a modern-day
version of Basil Fawlty and Poll was besieged, with the recriminations
continuing into the tunnel.
All to no avail. Arsenal were ahead and they almost doubled their lead when
Edu struck a free-kick just wide.
The interval gave United the chance to recover their poise, only for Peter
Ndlovu to soon waste a clear opening as he shot straight at Seaman.
Gilberto replaced Vieira, who had taken a knock and was not about to be risked
any further, while United responded with Carl Asaba and Nick Montgomery.
It was not long before Henry finally arrived, with 24 minutes left, but
Wiltord and Brown had both wasted clear openings before then.
With further reinforcements also arriving, the stage was set for a
barnstorming finish, with play finally flowing freely from end to end.
John Curtis fired a drive narrowly over the top, while Campbell seemed to lean
into Asaba as they chased the ball together, but the free-kick went the other
way.
Appeals for hand ball against Ashley Cole were waved away, while Henry hooked
a shot wide and Ljungberg also went close. It was stirring stuff.
The real credit, however, went to Seaman, who somehow managed to claw the ball
off the line after substitute Paul Peschisolido had flicked on Asaba's shot.
That was the one moment of true class on a heated afternoon, when United gave
Arsenal a real run for their money but lacked the finishing or fortune to make
it through.
And so Old Trafford proved a happy hunting ground for Arsene Wenger once
again. He can only hope for a repeat back at Highbury against when a rather more
imposing United side.
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