Never has a side been more aptly nicknamed. Juventus, ”la vecchia signora” of Serie A, looked old and frail during the goalless draw against Arsenal at the Stadio Delle Alpi on Wednesday. Spent, past it, knackered. Eleven old ladies with blue rinses and dodgy hips might have caused the Gunners more problems.
With outsiders Villarreal as their last four opponents after a 1-0 home win on Tuesday gave the Spaniards an away-goal triumph over Inter Milan, Arsenal fans are now seriously considering European conquest for the first time.
Do you know what the secret weapon is? Their oldest player, Jens Lehmann (35). A couple of years ago, the German goalkeeper was considered the weak link in the ”invincible” side that went 49 games unbeaten. On Wednesday, he was impeccable, particularly when he beat out Pavel Nedved’s 70th-minute effort to extend Arsenal’s clean-sheet run to a Champions League record of eight matches.
His temper has calmed (slightly, he’s still hyper-committed, as we saw when Nedved was sent off), his hands are assured, his hair is in check. Lehmann is a man at peace with his record-breaking talent.
Arsenal proudly carry the England banner into the last four with AC Milan, 3-1 winners over Lyon on Tuesday, and Barcelona, who saw off Benfica 2-0 after a goalless first leg.
And now Cesc ”Absolutely” Fabregas gets his chance to show Barca what they missed when they let their youth team captain go at 16.
But it’s time for Arsenal to forget all that Champions League hype this Sunday. Time to think about the enemy within. Time to consider how to beat Manchester United and the ageless genius of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Make no mistake, Sunday’s match-up between the high-flying Gunners and rejuvenated United has to be considered the vital game of the season in so many ways.
Interestingly, manager Arsène Wenger puts Arsenal’s long-awaited Euro success down to their rare lack of success at home: ”I have felt for years that we left a lot of strength in England with the FA Cup and league championship.”
Too true. In eight years under Wenger Arsenal have never finished outside of the top three in the Premiership and they have generally had a good FA Cup run too.
And that’s why Sunday is so big for the Gunners, whose recent spurt has taken them within two points of hated rivals, Spurs, in fourth place.
But if you think it’s big for Arsenal, try United. They’ve closed the gap on runaway leaders and defending champions Chelsea from 18 points to seven in just seven games.
And Fergie has done it using perhaps the most bizarre philosophy of all. He’s left his ace goal-getter, Ruud van Nistelrooy, kicking his heels on the bench — preferring the previously under-used talents of French striker Louis Saha up front.
Now both strikers are in top form and United have a midfield buzzing for goals too — with Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs contributing alongside Wayne Rooney, who has taken to a deeper role.
Thing is, as an Arsenal fan, I find myself rooting for United this weekend. And praying the season’s surprise package, West Ham, can forget their FA Cup run and grab a point or three at Stamford Bridge.
With United hurried out of Europe in the group stages, they don’t have the distractions of Arsenal, who are also faced with contract problems surrounding the great Thierry Henry and the duck-footed Robert Pires.
To top this, of course, Chelsea host United on April 29 — the last day of the season. Hold your breath. We could yet be in for a great finish in the Premiership.
Charlton vs Everton
Charlton, safe in 11th place a point behind Everton and with a midweek FA Cup replay against Middlesbrough to come, might be happy to go through the motions. I suspect Everton could take advantage of that fact.
Verdict: Charlton 1 Everton 3
Pompey vs Blackburn
Houdini Harry Redknapp’s revival continued with a third straight win, which raises real hope of a miracle escape. Blackburn aren’t the kind of side you want to play at this point, though. Focused on an unexpected European dream, the Rovers may well hamper Portsmouth’s survival saga.
Verdict: Portsmouth 2 Blackburn 2
Sunderland v Fulham
Doomed Sunderland (that is now their official full name) managed to pick up a point against Everton but they’ll be lucky to hold off a Fulham side desperate to grab the points. This could be the weekend when Sunderland are officially replaced by Reading in the Premiership.
Verdict: Sunderland 0 Fulham 2
Spurs vs Man City
A huge game for Tottenham this, and they’re up against a Manchester City side who have suffered an unexpected slump in recent weeks. Spurs know anything less than three points could let Arsenal back into the coveted top four and shatter their Champions League ambitions.
Verdict: Spurs 2 Man City 1
Wigan v Birmingham
Steve Bruce’s future may well depend on this one. Birmingham, just a point off the relegation places, are living on a knife-edge despite the 1-0 win over Bolton.
Verdict: Wigan 1 Birmingham 1
Villa vs West Brom
The other two Birmingham sides are in just as much trouble. David O’Leary keeps wittering on about how he’s never been in this position as a player or a manager — but that’s only because he jumped ship before Leeds imploded. He deserves the sack.
Verdict: Villa 0 West Brom 1
Chelsea vs West Ham
I’m forever blowing Hammers’ bubbles here. And let’s hope they burst Jose Mourinho’s bubble at Stamford Bridge, opening up the title chase for United. West Ham have over-achieved under Alan Pardew, but they can’t relax now, not when the nation needs them!
Verdict: Chelsea 1 West Ham 1
Liverpool vs Bolton
It’s not been quite what Liverpool were hoping for, this post-Champions League season. Bolton? They’re coming off the back of a drab 1-0 defeat against Birmingham. Yuk.
Verdict: Liverpool 2 Bolton 1
Man Utd vs Arsenal
The big one. United’s reborn hunger should carry the day. Kolo Toure and Phillipe Senderos might have been able to contain Real Madrid and Juventus, but I think Rooney, Vantheman and Saha may be a bit much. All United have to worry about is that man Henry. Did I say all?
Verdict: United 2 Arsenal 1
Boro vs Newcastle
The north-east derby is never dull, but this season, with both sides enjoying relative safety, I just can’t get excited about it. Middlesbrough have done well in the Uefa Cup and are still in the FA Cup, so they might feel the same way.
Verdict: Boro 2 Newcastle 4