United looked the more assured of the two sides throughout the game
but it took them until the 41st minute before they made a real impact.
Villarreal were then reduced to 10 men four minutes later when
Capdevila was sent off for a high challenge on Ronaldo has he tried to
race down field. Despite being a man up, United had little time to
make their advantage pay. However a draw confirmed both teams place in
the next stage.
Fabregas also realise that it is a big responsibility, but he is sure
that his team have the spirit and commitment to get back to winning
ways and fulfil their potential.
Wenger insists he has no regrets about making the outspoken Frenchman
his Arsenal captain after the departure of Thierry Henry. However, the
Gunners boss accepted the pressures of the role may have taken their
toll in the end.
Substitute Daniel Sturridge completed a miserable day for Arsenal by
scoring from the penalty spot in stoppage time. Gallas did not travel
with the rest of the squad after making critical comments about the
team in midweek and goalkeeper Manuel Almunia wore the armband
instead.
Dirk Kuyt gave the scoreline a more accurate look with the third goal
in stoppage time. Holland have won three out of three in Group Nine
and even Kim Kallstrom's goal seconds after coming on as a second-half
substitute to halve the deficit could not hide their dominance.
A late John Terry header ensured England continued their resurgence
under Fabio Capello with a 2-1 victory over Germany in Berlin to end
2008 on a high. The Three Lions, who recorded a famous 5-1 success on
their last visit to Germany, took a scrappy lead in the 23rd minute as
centre-back Matthew Upson poked home after Rene Adler had flapped at a
Stewart Downing corner.
After the break, England continued to enjoy the better of proceedings
but substitute goalkeeper Scott Carson endure a horrible mix-up with
Terry to allow Germany striker Patrick Helmes to equalise on 63
minutes. Terry headed a late winner at the Olympic Stadium after
Matthew Upson's first-half opener was cancelled out by Patrick Helmes,
and the Chelsea defender was pleased to secure the win.
Injuries forced Fabio Capello to name an experimental line-up in
Wednesday's friendly in Berlin, with Aston Villa striker Gabriel
Agbonlahor making his debut. But an England side which also included
fringe players such as Shaun Wright-Phillips, Michael Carrick and
Stewart Downing put on a highly impressive performance.
He was immediately taken to hospital, where he had the shoulder put
back into place, but he is now set for a long spell on the sidelines.
This injury is a new setback for the player, as it is his right
shoulder.
Bolton however deserved the win with Kevin Nolan returning to the line
up. An own goal from Gael Clichy was followed by a Gabriel Agbonlahor
strike were enough to give Bolton an evening to remember. Furthermore,
Bolton could have won 3-0 if Ashley Young didn't miss a penalty.
The Gunners youngsters destroyed Steve Bruce's side with two goals
from Jay Simpson and a third from Mexican teenager Carlos Vela. The north London club despatched Sheffield United in the previous round 6-0 and they reached the last eight with another superb performance.
The Gunners have been beaten by newly-promoted Hull and Stoke this season but Nasri, who scored both goals against United, insists those setbacks did not dent the belief amongst Wenger's young squad. He also believes that the team will get even better when their injury hit players return to action soon.
The Gunners had Adebayor injured and van Persie suspended but Samir Nasri provided the attacking threat, taking advantage of slack marking in each half to grab his fourth and fifth goals of the season. Rafael da Silva, on as a substitute, volleyed home a late strike to give Sir Alex Ferguson's men hope, but Arsenal held on after six minutes of stoppage-time for the win they needed..
It was Arsenal's first test this season against their traditional top-four rivals and Wenger's men passed the examination. This clash between two heavyweights had everything, chances, yellow cards,counter-attacking and also four penalty shouts.
Arsene Wenger's men are already six points adrift of Premier League leaders Chelsea and Liverpool and have yet to play any of their major rivals. There have been suggestions that Arsenal's title challenge could be over if they slip to defeat against United but Ronaldo is still wary of the threat they will present.
United lost their visits to both Liverpool and Arsenal and also dropped points against Newcastle and Everton this term, and Ronaldo feels Sir Alex Ferguson's side have plenty to prove as they go for a title hat-trick. United had an excellent record at Highbury in its latter years, they have so far managed a single point from two visits to the Emirates, conceding late goals on both occasions.
Boss Arsene Wenger repeated his recent criticism of Stoke's strongarm tactics by again accussing referees and opponents of victimising his side following the stalemate with Fenerbahce. Mikael Silvestre is a fresh injury concern and Almunia missed the Group G clash with an upset stomach, while Bacary Sagna, Theo Walcott and Emmanuel Adebayor were also sidelined.
