After a lacklustre first half Arsenal came back from a goal down in the second to secure a 1-all draw against Manchester United.
United deservedly took the lead after 30 minutes when Ander Herrera pounced on a back post cross after Ashley Young made a strong run down the left hand side. Arsenal never really looked like threatening in the first half and it wasn’t until Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott came off the bench that they really tested the United defence. Walcott made a telling contribution on the right, forcing Tyler Blackett into an own goal when the young defender attempted to cut out his low cross.
Champions League playoffs await for United
Manchester United had secured a top-four finish before kick-off after Liverpool failed to win against Crystal Palace the day before. A win against Arsenal would put them in a fantastic position to secure third place and automatic qualification for the group stages and the lucrative television money that awaits. Instead, the draw helps Wenger’s side greatly, all they need is one point from their final two games to stay in the top three.
The midfield was largely impressive again for the Red Devils, with Ashley Young and Ander Herrera continuing their recent good form. However, there is still an issue in the forward line. Radamel Falcao started in place of the injured Wayne Rooney and although the Colombian striker looked lively in patches he looks a shadow of the player that made headlines with Atletico Madrid. With only four shots on target from 12 made, it’s no surprise that LVG has been linked with a move for Bayern Munich’s Thomas Muller in the next transfer window.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFoTfpyQTsk
Arsene’s first eleven starting to show fatigue
For the sixth match in a row Arsene Wenger started with the same eleven players. However, like Tuesday morning’s game with Swansea, the Gunners looked far from their best. Oliver Giroud and Alexis Sanchez in particular struggled against the United defence and the Gunners were unable to produce a single shot in the first half.
The strains of constant football were also evident in the defensive side of the game, with attacking players often reacting slowly to the need to track back and assist their teammates. As Ander Herrera struck home for United’s goal, Sanchez was still in a retreating position, having not read the danger quickly enough.
Once again it took Wenger far too long to enact the necessary substitutions, but unlike the Swansea game his moves reaped dividends. The addition of Walcott to the right flank immediately gave the Gunners added width and the option to move the ball quickly in behind the defensive line. It was this that produced the equaliser when Ramsey’s exquisite long pass allowed Walcott to isolate the inexperienced Blackett. Wilshere played one of his most promising spells of this season in central midfield as well, winning the ball frequently and making driving runs forward and making quick passing interchanges with his teammates.
With only one match left before the FA Cup final, Wenger needs to consider just who is capable of bringing the Gunners another trophy this season.
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Captain Smalling at your service
Defender Chris Smalling was linked with a move away from Old Trafford to Arsenal not that long ago, but on Sunday the 25-year-old wore the captain’s armband for the first time. While the decision was not particularly well-received on social media, Louis van Gaal was clear in his support for Smalling.
“I shall name a captain as a human being, not only a player who passes from A to B but how you deal with your players. I believe he has been a leader of our defence.”
This decision, along with his recently signed contract, suggests that Smalling will be a permanent fixture in the United backline for years to come.
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