Manchester: Another night another failure at the Old Trafford in the Premier League for Manchester United. A Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang penalty on the 69th minute sealed the deal for Arsenal as they managed to win for the first time in 14 years on Old Trafford.
The match started at a slow pace as both United and Arsenal were not taking much risk. But Arsenal looked promising from the start with their front three of Aubameyang, Alexander Lacazette and Willan linking well between each other. Lacazette missed an opportunity in the first half and a Willian volley went out by hitting the crosspiece.
Even Arsenal no.7 Bukayo Saka missed a free header in the first half. United on the other hand was expected to show some class after thrashing RB Leipzig on Wednesday in the Champions League, but somehow they missed the spark from that match. A Mason Greenwood shot in the first half was the only highlight for the Red Devils.
In the second half United made a change as Fred was replaced by Nameja Matic. But things didn’t change much for them as Gabriel, Kieran Tierney and Rob Holding looked like a wall at the back. Even Thomas Partey looked pretty comfortable in the middle of the park with Hector Bellerin providing the important overlaps through the wing.
In the 69th minute, Bellerin cut inside the United box just to get fouled by Paul Pogba. The referee made no argument as it was a clear foul inside the box and Arsenal was provided with a penalty. Aubameyang who hasn’t scored for his club in the last six matches stepped up and converted from the spot.
Ole Gunner Solskjaer took some important substitutions as he replaced Greenwood for Edinson Cavani and Bruno Fernandes for Donny Van De Beek. But Arsenal’s defence just played the best game to date for them this season thus registering an important win for the side — a win at Old Trafford after 14 years. A memorable night for them and for United it’s just getting darker.
📍 Theatre of Dreams
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 1, 2020
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Manchester United lacked game making. Pogba was never up to the mark in the whole game and Marcus Rashford was trapped well by the Arsenal defenders. This Manchester team lacks consistency, time and time again it’s been proved. They are lacking suppliers from the middle. Talisman Bruno looked very grey as the Arsenal players crowded him out whenever he got the ball.
Fred was just the shadow of the person who played against Leipzig. One positive aspect was the defence looked better for them. Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelöf looked better and confident than before even Aaron Wan-Bissaka played well. But things are not working consistently for Ole’s men and that can be a problem for them as the season is taking a move.
United after Sunday’s match has collected seven points out of six games in the Premier League languishing at 15th spot. It was their third loss out of the four games they have played at home. They seriously need to find the rhythm which they have been missing since the start of the season.
Mikel Arteta’s ultra-defensive approach to the game has worked perfectly against the United midfield. Partey and Mohamed El Nenny played the perfect role of a snatcher. They always looked threatening at the front since the first half. Their game was clean and eye-catching to say at least.
Aubameyang played the game the way he plays. He is their main man and led from the front stepping up in difficult situations. Bellerin provided some important tackles and interceptions in crucial moments and also gifted his side a penalty. But most importantly Gabriel was the stand-out performer for Arsenal. He was like a rock in the defence. He played like a leader and helped his team to clinch on to this historic victory.
Arteta will be happy by his team’s performance. They moved to 12 points after seven games and holds the eighth spot in the table. On the other hand Champions Liverpool are back at the top of the table after they cliched a 2-1 win over West Ham on Saturday. Everton lost to Newcastle United 2-1 on Sunday thus losing their top spot to their city rival. Aston Villa lost to Southampton 3-4 on Sunday.
