Arsenal’s influential French defender William Gallas turned from a potential villain to a hero after he scored a stoppage time equaliser against bitter rivals and reigning English champions Manchester United at the Emirates stadium on Saturday’s lunch time kickoff. The tense 2-2 draw kept the Gunners at the top of the Premiership table by virtue of having scored more goals than second placed United.
The first-half of this high-profile match was a scrappy one to say the least with both teams happy to play safe but United looked more purposeful compared to a surprisingly subdued Arsenal side. Just when it looked that the two teams would head into the dressing room goalless, the Arsenal skipper Gallas provided United the lead with an own goal in stoppage time when he turned the ball into his own net after trying to stop a close-range Wayne Rooney shot.
But, the North London side got back into level terms immediately after the break when Spanish midfield sensation Cesc Fabregas scored his 11th goal of the season after some good work from French rightback Bacary Sagna. The early second-half goal led to a sparkling period of football with both teams raiding the respective goals with immense threat. With eight minutes remaining on the clock, Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo looked to have sealed the match for the Red Devils with a precise finish after some great initial play involving French duo of Louis Saha and Patrice Evra.
But, William Gallas had the last laugh when, in stoppage time, he steered the ball into the United goal despite it being palmed away by Edwin Van Der Sar and the linesman awarded the goal for clearly crossing the goalline.
Although the match was free from any off the ball incidents, referee Howard Webb was accused by United boss Sir Alex Fergusson of favouring Arsenal. The Premiership’s most successful manager vent his anger at the highly respected referee for missing a foul on Louis Saha at the far side prior to the Gallas goal and as a result Sir Alex could find himself in trouble with the FA authorities.
Apart from this particular accusation, it must be said that referee Webb handled the big match really well with utmost professionalism.
The 2-2 draw may be a fair result for both the sides, yet Arsenal was clearly not at their usual free-flowing best but what would impress Arsene Wenger most is the fighting attitude shown by his boys by twice coming from behind against such a well-organised United side.
Image Link: Eurosport
