Four goals, a sending off and Arsene Wenger blowing his top. What was not too like about this game? Billed as the title decider, the match between Arsenal and Manchester United ended with the rivals sharing a point and remaining deadlocked at the top of the Premiership. A suberb Van Nistleroy breakaway followed by an Henry double and a rapid equilizer from Giggs provided the scoring stalemate for a game featuring both sides relying on fast and counter-attacking styles of play. However, despite the draw, one can't be helped the suspicion that the Gunners are perhaps left the worse off with a month left to win the league. Note: I haven't had the ability to write about Football for a long time, so this is probably much longer than average (or necessary ;). Attacking Swagger As most obvious with the weekend thumping of Newcastle, Manchester United have rediscovered their attacking prowess. The ability for the Red Devil's to play with a trademark loose and confident style has been the hallmarks of all their championship seasons. Before the 2001/2002 loss of the EPL to Arsenal, opposing teams considered themselves lucky to surrender mearly one goal to United in league play. The ability to consistently dominate opponents has largely been missing since United's last title and the resurgence of their ability to threaten opponents with a dynamic and flowing attack couldn't have come at a better time. Twenty-three minutes in, Ruud van Nistlerooy's first ever goal against Arsenal resulted from a quick exchange with Gigg's on the left, followed by a deft touch by the striker to beat a flailing Sol Campbell and dribble into the penalty area to beat a hapless Stuart Taylor. Throughout last year such a link up was largely lacking as neither Gigg's nor Scholes consistenly played off Van Nistlerooy as a support-man to the lone striker. Certainly Paul Scholes has since made the adaptations needed to function in United's current 4-5-1 formation rather than the traditional 4-4-2 and Gigg's has begun to shine after what was a slow start for the welshman. The two men represent United's best threats making delayed run's into the box and Gigg's showed why in the 63rd minute when he made Aresenal's lead short-lived by making an incisive diagonal run and connecting with Solskjaer's cross at point blank range (much like the move that brought Scholes his hatrick against Newcastle). If United can maintain their current attacking output against Real Madrid, then they may yet have a shot at advancing in the Champion's League. There really wasn't much the defence could have done about Arsenal's two goals. Ashley Cole's quickness simply proved how deadly Arsenal can turn in a matter of seconds. Latching onto Bergkamp's flick, Cole whipped in and forced a ball towards net that careened of Henry to beat Barthez. It was a lucky goal for Henry, but nonetheless one that Arsenal did well to force the goal and level the game at one goal a peice. Henry's second marker, however, simply shouldn't have been allowed. He was a yard offside and the ensuing ball slotted cooly to Barthez on the near post was hardly surprising, considering that defending him when he's level with a defender is a hard enough task. The only question to ask of the defense in preperation for Real Madrid is whether playing the likes of Raul and Ronaldo can use their speed to exploit a quick stab at goal with their quickness and first touch. Bad Day for Sol Poor Sol Campbell, he not only was to fault for allowing van Nistlerooy's opening goal, but he also got sent off in the 82nd minute with a straight red card for elbowing Solskjaer. It does seem he wasn' intending to connect with Solskjaer the way he did, but unfortunetly his routine attempt to fend off the trailing United forward just sailed too high and there really was no option for Referee Mark Halsey but to issue the red card. While Arsenal were able to survive, even press for the win, while down to ten-men, the real problem created by the red-card involves Arsenal's remaining matches. Arsenal do have the depth to cover for Campbell's suspension, but they would likely be more confidant heading into the remaining high pressure games with their key defensive players in Campbell--likely out for 3 out of 5 remaining league games--and Vieira (out with knee injury). Pop goes the Wenger Arsene Wenger has a reputation as a calm and cerebral sort of manager, which is why the images of him furious in the first half and yelling from the touchline after Gigg's goal encourage a certain gleeful memory in the minds of United fans: (1995/96)Then Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan infamously losing his cool on camera as the pressure of maintaining a lead over a charging Manchester United side took its toll. Though everybody could see that Sir Alex's comments (regarding how opposing teams didn't try as hard against Newcastle as the did against Manchester United) had manipulated Keegan, following the Magpie Manager's team buckled under the pressure shortly after he did. Certainly I don't expect Wenger to lose his focus like Keegan did. In addition, the players in his Arsenal side are fairly experienced campaigners and unlikely to fold up the fight for the title. Yet, the recent mediocore form Arsenal have shown compounded by the loss of Vieira and Campbell and the frustration of squandering an 8 point advantage over United in the league leaves them on their backheels. Momentum has completely swung completely over to Manchester United and even if Arsenal win their game in hand to draw even with United, one has to consider the Gunners the less formidable side heading into to the EPL's stretch run. Player Ratings

Barthez: (7)

Can't really be faulted for conceding either goal and his save against Henry in the dying minutes saved the game for United.

O'Shea: (6)

Good job shoring up the left and is beggining to gain a reputation for smart runs down the flank. Taken off after half time for injury though, so he never really had an oppurtunity to influence the game.

Silvestre: (7)

He's always wanted to play center-back and has done a good job after starting at the position for this game and against Newcastle. He get's moved to left-back after O'Shea's injury and provides a solid effort in defense and with the odd steaming run into the attacking half.

Ferdinand: (6)

Disappointing for a player of his stature. He's a bit slow with clearing the ball in some moments, which is surprsing because his price-tag was predicated on his 'cultured' style of play. Still, not guilty of any major lapses either as Arsenal weren't able to expose United with a (legal) throughball down the middle.

Wes Brown: (6)

Received a black eye by half time and was shifted to center back in response to O'Shea's injury. Like the most of the United defence, not a notable performance, but not poor either.

Ryan Giggs: (8)

Finally fulfilling the promise of Sir Alex's "european formation" which demands Giggs to drive into the middle to exploit the hole between the midfield and defense. He leads several counterattacks and provides the ball for van Nistlerooy to make his dribble and score. Of course, he also grabs a lightning quick equalizer with a header at the far post. Very good game and getting close to the unstoppable form United will need to take on Madrid and the remaining EPL matches.

Butt: (7)

A good job plugging up the holes in response to the Arsenal counterattack. He's asked to fill an important, if not particularly noticable, role breaking up plays and fulfills his duties.

Keane: (7)

Outlasts his midfield destroyer counterpart in Patrick Vieira. Keane's not as involved in the attakcing third as he was at his most dominant. However, he recycles possession well and provides more leadership with a glare than most dictators can muster in a lifetime.

Solskjaer: (7)

Whack! That's what Ole Gunnar will most likely be remembered for in regards to the Sol Campbell sending off. However, playing out of position on the right side of midfield, the United striker turned provider and curled in the cross that found Gigg's at the far post for a point blank header.

Scholes: (7)

It is very impressive to see Scholes fully in control of his role in this United side. He has become adept playing behind van Nistlerooy and can still dip back into the midfield to provide spark to the United engine room. He misses an early header but manages to contribute to the United attack throughout.

van Nistlerooy: (9)

Henry may have scored a brace, but van Nistlerooy's goal was perhaps the best play of the game. He's got the complete game of a target striker and he's also able to turn in the speed and flair that left Sol Campbell in his wake and Sturat Taylor flapping at his calm finish. Another game for the highlight reel and perhaps another Player of the Year award?

Substitute

Gary Neville: (6)

Handled Pires' reasonably well after coming at right-back in the second half. However, didn't make any impact on the overlap to maintain pressure in the opposing end.