Arsenal set up date with destiny

SMFA Cup Semi-Final 2nd leg

Juventus Stadium

Attendance: 34,218

Arsenal arrived in Turin with a foot already in the Cup final thanks to a ruthless 4-1 win at home a week ago. Chelsea found themselves in a similar situation only lighting the fire in the hearts of Arsenal fans even further. The future winner stands to gain a ungodly 20m in prize money a sure advantage in the hustle and bustle of Season 3's transfer market, a market where the English clubs will be looking to hoover up any remaining world class players or future talent.

Kick off

Arsenal started where they had left Juventus off in the first leg, The 1st minute seeing Arsenal captain César AZPILICUETA playing the ball to Raheem STERLING. STERLING taking the ball well in his stride carrying it a good few yards before unleashing a solid drive towards goal, losing his balance at the critical moment the ball flew over the goal.

Juventus appeared defeated and disjointed already at this early stage a Arsenal away goal would surly kill the tie dead Juventus seemed all to aware of the fact and kept it tight early on after that sterling chance.

The first leg saw the return of former players Higuian and Lacazette both certainly proving points to their former managers. Andreas CHRISTENSEN who cant complain of lack of game time since Hummels departure played a pass to Gonzalo HIGUAÍN, HIGUAÍN managed to get a low driven shot in. SZCZĘSNY dived across his goal but he couldn't reach it the ball hitting the back of the net. Just as Higuain wheeled away in celebration the linesman's flag was slowly raised up for offside, it wouldn't count. The game tied at 0-0 (Arsenal leading 4-1 AGG)

On 38 minutes a foul by Sami Khedira lead to a Arsenal free kick in a dangerous area Messi was the first to place the ball stamping his authority on the kick. A couple a paces backwards, a Messi run up. The ball hit cleanly with the laces on the left boot the Juventus keeper stunning at the speed - goal ! . Arsenal 1-0 (5-1 AGG)

Second Half

The Juventus fans, players and management alike knew a Arsenal away goal would kill the game. The occassion and knowledge that the old lady would not be making a appearance in this season's final proved to weight heavily on the players minds.

No fightback was in sight, which made César AZPILICUETA's yellow card difficult to understand a booking that now see's the Arsenal Captain miss the Final a huge blow to Arsenals already weakened defence.

The game finished without much more noteworthy events, Juventus surly will be back in next season's biggest club competition. Arsenal now setting up a date with London rivals Chelsea in the biggest showdown in club football.

Immediately the footballing world were quick to point at Arsenal's poor poor record vs Chelsea. Chelsea winning 3 out of 4 meetings including that cup final win over Arsenal this season. Many also have come to question if Ben Clifford can overcome Glen M in the battle of minds and tactics. The official league power rankings listing the two managers as the 1st and 2nd best managers in England. With the two meeting in the final league game this season it could well perhaps prove to be a excellent dress rehearsal for the grandest match of them all.

Arsenal could well finish the season with a hat-rick of runners up places one would question the mental damage that would inflict on Arsenal as a whole. Chelsea although having a cup in the bag could seem themselves adding a League title and the Champions League to that collection something Arsenal are very very eager to take away from their rivals in Blue.

#Arsenal #Juventus #SMFACUP #Chelsea