Manchester United continue to improve, settle and look a more formidable unit every game but lady luck seems to be on a mission to spoil their season at every chance she gets. Arsenal were lucky to even have scored a goal after such a dismal performance. United must move past their bad luck and Arsenal must realise that they can’t be lucky in every game.
Lineup
Manchester United were yet again without Mkhitaryan, whose absence grows mysterious with every game. The team, barring that, was probably the best they could line up with and the return of Valencia was more than welcome.
Michael Carrick playing deep meant that Pogba and Herrera would have freedom in midfield accompanying Martial and Mata to the best of their abilities.
Arsenal were tactically defeated
Arsenal failed to have a single shot on target until Giroud decided to equalise with a brilliant header. Their passing was sloppy and the cut-off of supply from Elneny and Coquelin meant that Sanchez had to drop deep implying that he had less time up front to trouble the United defence.
Mesut Ozil had a game to forget as he failed to have an impact in any aspect while Ramsey struggled on the flanks.
Juan Mata and Herrera were United’s best in attack
Juan Mata and Herrera were brilliant for United while Pogba too had a good game overall. Antonio Valencia was sensational in both attack and defence as he managed to put in vital deliveries, which, unfortunately, weren’t converted. Juan Mata seems to weave magic wherever he is played, be in on the flanks or in the number 10 role.
With consistent movements in channels, the Spaniard managed to trouble the opposition while Herrera ensured to accompany from the midfield.
United were comfortable overall, unlike Arsenal who had to spread out pretty much on the entire pitch, while United dictated play. Pogba’s long ball play was brilliant yet again and the only problem seemed to be a struggling Rashford who seems to have forgotten how to play centrally.
Conclusion
United have yet again dominated and given away a game they deserved to win. It is frustrating but one can only realise that these are good signs if you ignore the impact on the table. United could’ve done better with a Center forward who stuck to the centre instead of the flanks.
Arsenal, on the other hand, must focus on regaining their form as a pathetic display cannot go unscathed every time.
