Arsenal’s victory over Manchester United is a significant step in the side’s resurgence after such a poor run in November. The Gunners recorded their fourth successive win and have continued to claw their way back into the Premier League title race
Mikel Arteta has been able to galvanise his side with the return of Martin Odegaard in spite of further injury frustrations the side have suffered. It feels for all the world like any slip could end up being terminal for Arsenal’s hopes to finally end their league trophy drought but Wednesday’s efforts took them a step closer.
There were several benefits in relation to the victory over the Red Devils. football.london round up the three major boosts earned with their two-goal win over an old adversary.
The race is on
The most obvious boost for Arsenal comes in the form of the gap to their nearest rival. When Mohamed Salah scored in the 83rd minute there was a sense of the heart sinking and an inevitability that no matter what the Gunners do, it will not be enough.
Yet Liverpool - and I am on record with this before any fair-weather accusations emerge – are still yet to fully convince everyone that they would saunter to a Premier League title. Games have been far too close, defensive errors have been frequent and things have simply been far too rosy for them in the opening few months of the season.
Finally, their luck has appeared to balance out, even if only a small amount. The hope will be this continues to happen and the gap dropping to seven will be a serious point of reference for Mikel Arteta to encourage his side.
No Gabriel? No problem!
Arsenal’s set-pieces have been an incredibly potent form of attack throughout the past few years as Nicolas Jover got to grips with the squad following his switch from Manchester City. The presence of Gabriel Magalhaes however has been critical to that danger and his absence from the squad for the visit of Man United naturally rose frustration and apprehension.
Yet in his stead, Arsenal still looked incredibly threatening and both of the goals of course came from corners delivered from either side courtesy of Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka. Jurrien Timber’s glanced header though was a gorgeous attempt at goal to reward the Dutchman with his first Arsenal goal.
It is worth also pointing out here the absence of more than just Gabriel was felt. Riccardo Calafiori was too missing and Jakub Kiwior who deputised did extremely well which of course bodes well for any future absences the Arsenal have to experience.
Stop the momentum
When a new manager comes in, there is always the potential for a boost and Manchester United found something of a bump with Ruben Amorim’s arrival. Inflicting his first defeat will be a painful one and clearly set out the gap that does and should exist.
Manchester United fans will be hoping that their side will again be amongst those competing for the title in the coming years. Being able to do everything Arsenal can to delay that reality will always be of a benefit to the Gunners.
It looks as though Chelsea are amassing a push to enter the fray themselves and having yet more candidates to win the league will only increase the challenge for Arsenal. United have always threatened in terms of spending but rarely if at all with their on-field performances and Amorim is a very good coach and could yet change that – but not quite yet, thanks to this welcome setback.
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