Arsenal romps Manchester in a spectacular fashion
By Gary Dowden
Overmars
Anelka and Wreh
Beckham mourns |
Sunday 9th August 1998 Charity Shield From Wembley Stadium Arsenal (1) 3 Man United (0) 0 Overmars 33 Wreh 56 Anelka 71 Arsenal began as they left off last season with a comfortable victory over a strong Man United line up, surprisingly strong considering the have a European tie in three days time. In a game played in scorching heat, the first half an hour saw both clubs have chunks of possesion without causing major problems for either keeper. Then Arsenal stepped up a gear and on 33 minutes they were ahead, Bergkamp & Anelka caused chaos in the United defence and after Johnsen failed to clear, Marc Overmars lashed the ball past Schmeichal from 10 yards. The Danish keeper had kept Bergkamp out a minute or so earlier and after the goal saved from Anelka as he burst through. United had a valid shout for a penalty on half time as Parlour appeared to handle. The second half began with Arsenal looking sharp with
Dixon & Parlour both coming close. They eventually broke through again when Overmars
broke on the left, he found Anelka who fed substitute Christophre Wreh who scored from the
rebound after Schmeichal saved his original effort. The third ended the game as a contest
when Parlour put Anelka clear, he held off Stam and fizzed a shot inside the keeper`s near
post. Between the goals, Andy Cole seemed to take his eye off the ball and missed a free
header and Beckham was just over with a free kick. Late on Solskjaer had a shot blocked
and the rebound saved by Seaman and Teddy Sheringham missed a sitter whilst clean through.
This may be classified as a pre season friendly but Alex Ferguson will doubtless be
worried about tightening up his defence before Wednesday`s assault on Europe. Photos from Reuters |
Return to Futbol World
