Here's a sentence you wouldn't have expected to hear 15-20 years ago: Arsenal and Man Utd have played out a very low-quality 1-1 bore draw, and it's the perfect metaphor for the standing both clubs are currently finding themselves in to boot.
In a game billed as potentially causing headaches for the loser's hierarchy, a draw probably shouldn't come as a surprise. From the first whistle you felt that this was a game neither side wanted to lose, rather than one of two teams gunning for victory. There were very few chances of note in the first half, but Utd's opener begun with Arsenal's best chance of the half: Arsenal broke and Saka found himself through on goal, his shot was palmed away by De Gea who got up quickly to save Guendouzi's follow up.
The resulting corner was poor and looped in the air and dropped around the edge of the Utd penalty area. Kolasinac was criminally caught ball watching as the ball fell back to the ground, only for Utd to pick it up and break down the other end. James's cross was just too far ahead of Rashford, but he recovered to lay it off to McTominay who controlled and struck well to find the top corner, courtesy of a small deflection taking the ball away from Xhaka's head intended to block the ball.
Arsenal started the 2nd half a little better but the overall quality from both sides was still found wanting. One of our brightest players on the night though in Saka was instrumental in the equaliser. Saka was alert and sniffed danger as Tuanzebe played a loose pass infield. He ran onto it and had the awareness and ability to play a perfectly weighted first time ball to Aubameyang and he was 1v1 with De Gea. In the form he's in, Aubameyang wasn't missing and cutely dinked the ball over De Gea into the net.
Arsenal found their feet for around 5-10 minutes after the goal but didn't persist. Saka was unfortunate not to score after a good block but that was as good as it got from Arsenal. Maguire headed a good chance over and Pogba curled an effort inches wide, Leno also made a good save to his left late on from a free kick. But ultimately that was to be it and a scoreline that does neither team or manager many favours. Arsenal do at least jump back up into 4th spot for the time being. Onwards to Liege at the Emirates on Thursday.
Ratings:
Emery - 4
Arsenal had a good chance to finally win again away at Utd and put an end to the Old Trafford and big 6 hoodoo. How do you do that? Play 3 holding midfielders, with your most defensive of those furthest up the pitch apparently. The questions pre-game were found justified throughout the game and the substitutions were also questionable. Saka may have needed to come off for fitness reasons having found himself playing a number of minutes recently, but with Martinelli on the bench he opted for a defensive minded option instead of trying to win the game. Summed up his approach to perfection.
Leno - 7
Solid throughout the game, and made two or three splendid saves, albeit ones you'd also expect. Couldn't do anything for the opening goal.
Chambers - 8
There were worries when he picked up a booking and Dan James looked like he had the beating of Chambers in the first 10 minutes but for the next 80 he justified his position in the team. Chose when to go forward superbly and defended well. Frankly he had James in his pocket throughout.
Sokratis - 7
Criticism for Utd's goal was harsh in my opinion, he looked to block either side of the goal but the low body shape meant the only block was a knicked deflection. Otherwise had a good game and defended sensibly.
Luiz - 7
Also had a good game like Sokratis, defended well and sensibly. Did him and Sokratis finally look like a good partnership? Or weren't Utd good enough going forward to seriously test them? Potentially the former for sure but will have to see in the games to come.
Kolasinac - 5
Criminal for Utd's opening goal and could have snuffed out any chance of a break. Couldn't seem to get forward and didn't contribute much defensively either.
Xhaka - 6.5
Had a good first half and looked to try and make things happening with his passing ability. Was unfortunate that the Utd goal took a small but enough of a deflection to take the ball away from Xhaka who was otherwise well positioned. Deserves apologies from myself and other Arsenal fans who felt initially he had ducked at first.
Torreira - 6
Not helped being played out of position, but did find himself with a good opportunity in the first half which he spurned. If he's gonna continue to play there, hopefully this is an area of his game he improves on.
Guendouzi - 8
Arguably Arsenal's brightest player. Won several fouls and brought the ball forward with purpose and intent. Might argue his end product needs a little work as he struggled to find the killer creative pass, and might have done better for the opportunity on the rebound before Utd scored, though that may be a little harshly critical. Run Saka very close for MOTM but Saka's assist edges the decision.
Saka - 8
A very bright performance yet again and a superb assist for Auba. Pips Guendouzi for MOTM with a superb assist as they were both just as positive going forward and trying to make things happen.
Auba - 7
Largely quiet and was starved of any service. But he had one chance and took it incredibly well, keeping himself onside and producing a magnificently deft finish over De Gea.
Pepe - 5
Tried and tried which you can't fault him for. But struggled in a side struggling to get the best out of him and his attacking threat. Still feels as though he is settling in and adjusting to the premier league, but once he;s found his rhythm it'll be there to stay.
Ceballos - 5.5
Didn't bring much attacking threat when he came on for all his endeavours. Set piece delivery was poor and couldn't get into the game, though not the easiest task away at a Utd side that wanted it more.
Nelson - 6
Only got 15 minutes, but like Ceballos he couldn't find his way into the game. Looks a little lightweight and didn't cause Utd too many headaches, though may not have played long enough to show what he's really about.
Willock - 6.5
Another impressive 10 minute cameo that makes you wonder why he isn't starting. Defensive ability and carries the ball forward well. Didn't have long enough on the pitch to cause any real threat.
@groningergooner
In a game billed as potentially causing headaches for the loser's hierarchy, a draw probably shouldn't come as a surprise. From the first whistle you felt that this was a game neither side wanted to lose, rather than one of two teams gunning for victory. There were very few chances of note in the first half, but Utd's opener begun with Arsenal's best chance of the half: Arsenal broke and Saka found himself through on goal, his shot was palmed away by De Gea who got up quickly to save Guendouzi's follow up.
The resulting corner was poor and looped in the air and dropped around the edge of the Utd penalty area. Kolasinac was criminally caught ball watching as the ball fell back to the ground, only for Utd to pick it up and break down the other end. James's cross was just too far ahead of Rashford, but he recovered to lay it off to McTominay who controlled and struck well to find the top corner, courtesy of a small deflection taking the ball away from Xhaka's head intended to block the ball.
Arsenal started the 2nd half a little better but the overall quality from both sides was still found wanting. One of our brightest players on the night though in Saka was instrumental in the equaliser. Saka was alert and sniffed danger as Tuanzebe played a loose pass infield. He ran onto it and had the awareness and ability to play a perfectly weighted first time ball to Aubameyang and he was 1v1 with De Gea. In the form he's in, Aubameyang wasn't missing and cutely dinked the ball over De Gea into the net.
Arsenal found their feet for around 5-10 minutes after the goal but didn't persist. Saka was unfortunate not to score after a good block but that was as good as it got from Arsenal. Maguire headed a good chance over and Pogba curled an effort inches wide, Leno also made a good save to his left late on from a free kick. But ultimately that was to be it and a scoreline that does neither team or manager many favours. Arsenal do at least jump back up into 4th spot for the time being. Onwards to Liege at the Emirates on Thursday.
Ratings:
Emery - 4
Arsenal had a good chance to finally win again away at Utd and put an end to the Old Trafford and big 6 hoodoo. How do you do that? Play 3 holding midfielders, with your most defensive of those furthest up the pitch apparently. The questions pre-game were found justified throughout the game and the substitutions were also questionable. Saka may have needed to come off for fitness reasons having found himself playing a number of minutes recently, but with Martinelli on the bench he opted for a defensive minded option instead of trying to win the game. Summed up his approach to perfection.
Leno - 7
Solid throughout the game, and made two or three splendid saves, albeit ones you'd also expect. Couldn't do anything for the opening goal.
Chambers - 8
There were worries when he picked up a booking and Dan James looked like he had the beating of Chambers in the first 10 minutes but for the next 80 he justified his position in the team. Chose when to go forward superbly and defended well. Frankly he had James in his pocket throughout.
Sokratis - 7
Criticism for Utd's goal was harsh in my opinion, he looked to block either side of the goal but the low body shape meant the only block was a knicked deflection. Otherwise had a good game and defended sensibly.
Luiz - 7
Also had a good game like Sokratis, defended well and sensibly. Did him and Sokratis finally look like a good partnership? Or weren't Utd good enough going forward to seriously test them? Potentially the former for sure but will have to see in the games to come.
Kolasinac - 5
Criminal for Utd's opening goal and could have snuffed out any chance of a break. Couldn't seem to get forward and didn't contribute much defensively either.
Xhaka - 6.5
Had a good first half and looked to try and make things happening with his passing ability. Was unfortunate that the Utd goal took a small but enough of a deflection to take the ball away from Xhaka who was otherwise well positioned. Deserves apologies from myself and other Arsenal fans who felt initially he had ducked at first.
Torreira - 6
Not helped being played out of position, but did find himself with a good opportunity in the first half which he spurned. If he's gonna continue to play there, hopefully this is an area of his game he improves on.
Guendouzi - 8
Arguably Arsenal's brightest player. Won several fouls and brought the ball forward with purpose and intent. Might argue his end product needs a little work as he struggled to find the killer creative pass, and might have done better for the opportunity on the rebound before Utd scored, though that may be a little harshly critical. Run Saka very close for MOTM but Saka's assist edges the decision.
Saka - 8
A very bright performance yet again and a superb assist for Auba. Pips Guendouzi for MOTM with a superb assist as they were both just as positive going forward and trying to make things happen.
Auba - 7
Largely quiet and was starved of any service. But he had one chance and took it incredibly well, keeping himself onside and producing a magnificently deft finish over De Gea.
Pepe - 5
Tried and tried which you can't fault him for. But struggled in a side struggling to get the best out of him and his attacking threat. Still feels as though he is settling in and adjusting to the premier league, but once he;s found his rhythm it'll be there to stay.
Ceballos - 5.5
Didn't bring much attacking threat when he came on for all his endeavours. Set piece delivery was poor and couldn't get into the game, though not the easiest task away at a Utd side that wanted it more.
Nelson - 6
Only got 15 minutes, but like Ceballos he couldn't find his way into the game. Looks a little lightweight and didn't cause Utd too many headaches, though may not have played long enough to show what he's really about.
Willock - 6.5
Another impressive 10 minute cameo that makes you wonder why he isn't starting. Defensive ability and carries the ball forward well. Didn't have long enough on the pitch to cause any real threat.
@groningergooner
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