carlyluvsunited
05-11-2007, 05:58 AM
Hargreaves gives short shrift to Arsenal's beautiful game
Arsenal had sprinted to the Premier League's summit this season propelled by a
mesmerising brand of attacking football, but Manchester United departed London
on Saturday encouraged that they had stamped their own authority on the title
race. "I don't think they created a clearcut chance in the first half," said Owen
Hargreaves. "So we did a good job controlling their so-called 'beautiful football'."
The comment revealed the irritation in the United set-up at the plaudits lavished
on Arsenal's free-flowing style. United have entranced as thrillingly this season,
their attacking thrust more ruthless at times than that of Arsène Wenger's young
charges. Indeed, the reigning champions' more streetwise approach, born of
their greater experience than the current leaders can boast, could yet prove
decisive in determining the destiny of the title.
"Arsenal had a lot of possession today, but in the first half they never got into a
position where they threatened the goal, besides the header from [William]
Gallas which was a set piece," said Hargreaves. "They had plenty of possession,
but were never threatening and football's about winning games and scoring
goals. Both of our goals were beautiful pieces of play, while theirs were a bit
scrappy and probably not typical of the way Arsenal play.
"It's great to keep the ball, like they did, but when you've got a team that are as
good defensively as us, you can keep them at bay. The most important thing is
that when you win the ball back you attack. We hit the post and had players
going forward to catch them out. With the players we've got up front we can
score at any time."
Wenger admitted his side had not played at their best, starting with "the
handbrake on", though he gleaned other encouragement from the draw. "You
never know what the consequences of a defeat might have been. Resilience isn't
the first quality you imagine when you think about [Cesc] Fábregas, [Mathieu]
Flamini, [Thomas] Rosicky or [Alexander] Hleb. They're more team players who
you'd expect to be stronger on the technical side, but they have a lot of
character. The technical ability and the stamina we have usually makes a
difference in the last few minutes."
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United !!!
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Arsenal had sprinted to the Premier League's summit this season propelled by a
mesmerising brand of attacking football, but Manchester United departed London
on Saturday encouraged that they had stamped their own authority on the title
race. "I don't think they created a clearcut chance in the first half," said Owen
Hargreaves. "So we did a good job controlling their so-called 'beautiful football'."
The comment revealed the irritation in the United set-up at the plaudits lavished
on Arsenal's free-flowing style. United have entranced as thrillingly this season,
their attacking thrust more ruthless at times than that of Arsène Wenger's young
charges. Indeed, the reigning champions' more streetwise approach, born of
their greater experience than the current leaders can boast, could yet prove
decisive in determining the destiny of the title.
"Arsenal had a lot of possession today, but in the first half they never got into a
position where they threatened the goal, besides the header from [William]
Gallas which was a set piece," said Hargreaves. "They had plenty of possession,
but were never threatening and football's about winning games and scoring
goals. Both of our goals were beautiful pieces of play, while theirs were a bit
scrappy and probably not typical of the way Arsenal play.
"It's great to keep the ball, like they did, but when you've got a team that are as
good defensively as us, you can keep them at bay. The most important thing is
that when you win the ball back you attack. We hit the post and had players
going forward to catch them out. With the players we've got up front we can
score at any time."
Wenger admitted his side had not played at their best, starting with "the
handbrake on", though he gleaned other encouragement from the draw. "You
never know what the consequences of a defeat might have been. Resilience isn't
the first quality you imagine when you think about [Cesc] Fábregas, [Mathieu]
Flamini, [Thomas] Rosicky or [Alexander] Hleb. They're more team players who
you'd expect to be stronger on the technical side, but they have a lot of
character. The technical ability and the stamina we have usually makes a
difference in the last few minutes."
Click here to join manutdtalk.com and read all breaking news on all things
United !!!
http://manutdtalk.com/forums/register.php