This result was extremely hard on an Arsenal side that out played Manchester United in nearly every facet of the game, now some will say that's whining, but that just says they didn't watch the match. Arsenal's passing was crisper, control neater, and finishing more accurate. But they lost, a mental lapse by Abou Diaby, who otherwise had a fine match, will go down in the scoreline as the reason Arsenal lost this match, but in truth the odds were never with them.

Wayne Rooney did dive. Man Utd's fans will argue with great vigor that Manuel Almunia took out the England man but slow-motion replays show Rooney collapsing well before contact with the Pamplona-born stopper. There was contact, and that's why referee Mike Dean -- who had a horrible match -- awarded the penalty, he had no choice, he was conned by Wayne Rooney. To rub salt in the wounds, Manuel Almunia was booked for the incident.

Rooney beat his man on the play and found himself one-on-one with Almunia who had cut down Rooney's angle but had already committed to ground. Rooney knocked the ball beyond the reach of Almunia -- and into the Stretford End -- and began his fall into Almunia's sprawled arms, thus creating the contact Mike Dean, and many others at the moment of contact, believed Almunia had created. From his point of view Dean was correct to award a penalty to Manchester United.

This was clever from Wayne Rooney, his dive was much more believable than that of Eduardo, but he's no less guilty. Questions, but not blame, can be thrown at the feet of Almunia - what in the world was he thinking? But the guilt is squarely with Wayne Rooney.

I'm not disputing Mike Dean's call, though I will say that he missed a clear penalty in the exact same location in the first half when Darren Fletcher took out Andrey Arshavin. What I am calling for is for Rooney to receive the same punishment that Eduardo received. There was public outcry for Eduardo to be punished, yet many of those same people have turned a blind eye to Wayne Rooney.

I accept the loss, it's over. As is so often the case, the better team didn't win. It's a fickle game, and I accept that. But just like I also accept, and admit, that my player cheated Celtic, Manchester United fans need to accept, and admit, that their player cheated Arsenal.

And yes, I know Eboue is cheat.

So that's where Willo Flood is now.

I know that everyone will point to the obvious dive by Eduardo that got the scoring started, but that was simply a magical display of football by Arsenal and helps to set up a mouthwatering tie against Manchester United at Old Trafford this weekend.

The second and third goals were nothing short of sublime, exactly the type of football Arsene Wenger wants to see his men play. Emmanuel Eboue continues his climb back from zero to hero as he notched the second, Abou Diaby was involved up the left hand side and the Ivorian international made no mistake at all when he went for goal.

Arshavin was left on the bench to start the match but came on as a substitute for Eduardo and scored a final goal with what was almost his first touch. The way he turned Donati was simply superb and the Russian knew just where to go with the ball, Boruc - who to his credit was Celtic's man of the match - had no chance.

Celtic did manage to score with the final touch of the ball, Donati was able to poke home a cross to grab some scant consolation for his side.

That makes it 15 goals in 4 matches for an Arsenal side who saw themselves largely written off following the departures of Adebayor and Toure to the blue half of Manchester, but Wenger knew exactly what he was doing and while it's still very early days, you'd have to dig pretty deep to completely write-off Arsenal claiming some sort of trophy this season. And to think, we still haven't seen Nasri, Rosicky, or Walcott.

O'Shea, 17.

Arsene Wenger would've probably been better off fielding Lukas Fabinaski along side Manuel Almunia rather than the ten field players that put together a display which was nothing short of shocking.

United were able to threaten early and often, and they did, be it through Rooney, Ronaldo, Tevez, Anderson or Fletcher they were able to keep Almunia on his toes and full credit to the Spanish stopper, he stood up tall for the majority of the match.

Following two world class saves from Almunia, Arsenal saw their fractured, unstable defense broken as Michael Carrick latched onto the end of a corner, shuffled around an Arsenal defender and picked out John O'Shea near the far post. O'Shea was in acres of space and it showed as he rifled the ball into the goal.

It took Arsenal roughly half an hour to generate any type of attack, Cesc Fabregas' shot lacking any kind of venom to trouble Edwin van der Sar. Nasri never really got into the flow of things and despite occasional forays by Theo Walcott, Emmanuel Adebayor looked isolated and worse, disinterested.

Sometime during the second half Arsenal found their feet and started to keep possession through the midfield but still found themselves unable to create any chances save for Adebayor's dipping shot. United seemed more content to defend now but continued to threaten with Ronaldo's hot effort rattling the frame of a stranded Almunia's goal.

Midway through the second half Ryan Giggs would make his 800th appearance for United, an incredible milestone for the Welshman and he nearly marked it with a goal but had his effort called back for offside, though fractional the replays showed the officials got it right.

Arsenal made one chance late in the half when a free kick was awarded just outside the area, Nicklas Bendtner got on the end of what could hardly be considered a good chance but put wide.

The Gunners will count themselves lucky that it was only 1-0, owing this to a combination of fabulous play from Almunia and United lacking sharpness in the final third. The London club will need dramatic improvement if they're to be in Rome come May.

On March 31, 2001 Arsenal legend David "Rocky" Rocastle passed away at the age of 33 from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Born in Lewisham, London on May 2nd, 1967 Rocky joined Arsenal as an apprentice in 1983 before earning a professional contract on the eve of the 1985/86 season. Throughout his career Rocastle won three medals with the Gunners: The 1987 League Cup against Liverpool, and the First Division in 1988/89 and 1990/91. He also appeared in a further League Cup final in 1988. Later in his career Rocky would help Chelsea to an apperence in the European Cup Winners Cup semifinal.

For more information on Rocky: http://www.rocky7.co.uk/ and for more information about  non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Cancertype/Lymphomanon-Hodgkin

This post is inspired in large part by Bradd's post on National pride. Like Bradd I'm an American Arsenal fan.

On May 22, 2002 I was supposed to attend a highly anticipated school formal. Most everyone I knew was excited for the event with the exception of myself because on April 14th I realized I would be unable to attend. Arsenal had just beaten Middlesbrough in the FA Cup Semi-Final at Old Trafford and the moment the final whistle blew my plans for the 22nd were set in stone, there was no way I was going to miss the final.

Fast forward to the 22nd and everyone I know all dressed up in rented tuxedos and gowns, all looking dashing and happy. Meanwhile there would be no limousine for me, and as I was only 17, there would be no pub either. But I didn't care as I sat down wearing my red Freddie Ljungberg top I could almost sense I was in for a special day of my own. Superb goals from the Romford Pele and Freddie would see that prophecy come true.

I knew then on a day where everyone was to be with the one they loved that I was with the one I loved as well.

Sorry if this bored you :)

Liverpool 4-2 Arsenal (Aggregate 5-3)

Arsenal's season was left on life support following a 4-2 loss in a thrilling encounter on Merseyside. The Gunners ran out to an early lead thanks to Abou Diaby's powerful drive on 13 minutes. The Frenchman latched onto Alex Hleb's superbly placed though ball, took one touch and hammered the ball to the inside of Pepe Reina's inside post.

For a quarter of an hour Arsenal were in the driver's seat until conceding a corner and with almost half an hour gone Sami Hyypia managed to lose Phillipe Senderos in the box to make it 1-1. The giant Finn got a firm header on the ball which left Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia with no chance.

Emmanuel Eboue wasted a glorious chance with an hour gone by electing to shoot from a tight angle rather than crossing to Adebayor who found himself in a delicious position. Frustration cannot describe the look it left on Arsene Wenger's face.

Arsenal would pay for the wasted chance almost 5 minutes later as Fernando Torres latched onto Pepe Reina's punt, spun Senderos and hammered the ball passed his countryman Almunia. It makes you wonder if Arsene Wenger will finally call upon Johan Djourou.

Wenger made two attacking changes soon after the goal with Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott replacing Diaby and Eboue.

The decision to bring on Walcott would appear to be a masterstroke almost 10 minutes later as the young Englishman departed on a blazing solo run before picking out Adebayor who equalized to send the traveling contingent into delirium.

High drama would take place right after the kickoff as Toure appeared to bring down Liverpool substitute Ryan Babel in the box. Replays would show there was contact but how much is sure to be a point of hot debate. Steven Gerrard would slot home the penalty in efficient style. At this point Arsenal appear deflated.

Arsenal would manage a few futile attempts at attacking but couldn't muster anything and felt the hammer blow when Liverpool were able to clear a Cesc Fabregas freekick long for Babel to get on the end of, Babel made no mistake as he put the ball and the tie out of Almunia and Arsenal's reach.

After such a promising start Arsenal must now hope for Manchester United to self destruct to stand any chance at silverware this season.

The turbulence and uncertainty ahead of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa continues to cast a dark cloud over what should be a nation's coming out party. The latest episode follows a report from the British newspaper The Guardian stating that insurers were fearful about providing coverage for the event amid fears that the stadiums would not be complete on time. This report comes at a time when around 500 workers have gone on strike at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. The estimated date of completion for the 46,000-seat stadium is mid-2009 but unless this problem is solved quickly that will surely be pushed back.

It is widely thought that the United States is the stand-by host in case the event cannot go ahead in South Africa. Certainly living in the United States I would be delighted at an opportunity to attend World Cup matches so easily, but I want South Africa to host it, I think South Africa needs to host it. Few nations have had to deal with the hardships that South Africa has and the country needs something that could give it a chance to become the great nation it has the potential to be. I think, and I hope that the 2010 World Cup would do just that. So, I wish South Africa the best of luck

Tomorrow (or today in most places) Arsenal and Liverpool will meet in what will be the second of three matches in one week's time. It's an important match for both clubs, particularly Arsenal who need a win to keep pace with league leaders Manchester United. Despite a recent slide in form Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal still have enough in the tank to capture their first championship since the 2004 season in which the Gunners went unbeaten. The Londoners will need a solid performance from Phillipe Senderos and William Gallas in the heart of defense as it seems likely Rafa Benitez will call upon Peter Crouch who has made it a habit to score against Arsenal throughout his career. Arsenal also announced that goalkeeper Manuel Almunia has signed a new contract. Lots of people question Almunia's ability, while there are many goalkeeper's I'd rather have I believe Almunia has done a respectable job.