Luckless Devils

Arsenal clinched their 10th FA Cup victory after a 5-4 penalty shoot-out, the first ever to be decided by a shoot-out, in a game dominated by Manchester United. The result tells the tale of MU's season where they couldn't find the back of the net and finish off opponents in games they have dominated. Alex Ferguson took a swipe at Arsene Wenger's 'boring' tactics after seeing the self-proclaimed attractive-attacking Gunners playing awfully dull football. MU answered criticisms especially from the Higbury camp that MU wouldn't survive in a football match if they stopped playing 'determined' English football and were to play attractive attacking football. Arsenal had to eat their own words in a game where they were frequently troubled by the attacking flair of MU, the entertaining side on the night. However, Lady Luck wasn't to shine on MU. Jens Lehmann (the best performer for Arsenal on the night) saved Paul Scholes' penalty kick during the shoot-out after a 0-0 draw in extra-time and the 2005 FA Cup Final was decided in the worst and cruelest way possible, through a penalty shoot-out.

I'm not too disappointed with the outcome (although I stayed awake until close to 1am watching my team lose knowingly I have to wake up at 6am to go to campus). Positives from the match:

• MU showed Arsenal how to play attractive attacking football
• MU proved to Arsenal they can be superior without playing 'dull' determined football
  
• MU's young players were more effective on the night
• MU players will be more determined and prepared for next season and not cover-up the underachievement of the team this season (like last season)
• MU won't need to play in the Community Shield next season especially with an already packed pre-season schedule and Champions League qualifiers
• Shows the importance of having a top-class goalkeeper (go get one already!)
  

There will always be next season and MU will be more prepared!

P/S On another note, Kimi Raikkonen wins the Monaco Grand Prix to move up to second spot in the overall driver's championship standings, behind Renault's Fernando Alonso.