Arsenal have defeated Ruben Amorim’s **Manchester United**at the Emirates. The Gunners’ showcased a brilliant display of set piece supremacy as they won the game comfortably. Defensively, they were rock solid, managing to keep a clean sheet. It was a phenomenal performance, as they limited the Red Devils to a xG of just 0.22. The visitors had only 5 shots on goal with 2 of them on target. These statistics itself highlights the dismal performance from the struggling side from Manchester.
For Arsenal, they have cut down the gap to league leaders Liverpool to just 7 points. They’ll be hoping to carry on this momentum and keep winning these important “three points”. Arsenal have been nicknamed “Corner FC” by their rivals because of their heavy reliance from set piece opportunities. However, their tactics is working perfectly. They make the opposition box so congested, that the opposition defence gets outsmarted every time. Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka carried out their jobs perfectly tonight. In the absence of Gabriel, Timber did his role with utmost perfection as well. They travel to Fulham this weekend hoping to bag another three points. Meanwhile, the Red Devils will host a formidable and wounded Nottingham Forest.
Where it went all wrong for Man United?
The Red Devils chose the wrong approach for this game against Arsenal. In the first half, United tried to be compact and did their job defensively. However, at times they did look shaky at the back. Their biggest miss was young sensation Kobbie Mainoo. Their was no aggressive intensity and passion from the midfielders. Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes looked as if they were out of ideas.
In the second half, Arsenal started banging on United’s door in regular intervals. Ruben Amorim’s side constantly lost the midfield duels and lost the second balls which led to Arsenal attacking aggressively. The Gunners’ got plenty of set piece opportunities and their set piece brilliance did the rest.
Ruben Amorim must look into his side’s defending following this loss. During the both goals they conceded, it was poor marking from the defenders. Even the goalkeeper could’ve done better from those scenarios. During the game, their is no communication between the defenders and the goalkeeper. The defender, who gets trolled so much for his errors, Harry Maguire was certainly the best defender for the Devils. De Ligt who signed for them this season, must improve his game to stay in the playing XI.
No Gabriel? No problem for Arsenal
The Gunners’ missed the services of star defender Gabriel in this clash. He is one of the wall for Mikel Arteta. However, Timber, Kiwior and Saliba carried out their jobs perfectly. It was a defensive masterclass from the Gunners’. Conceding an xG of just 0.22 against Man United is a formidable feat.
In the midfield, Rice and Partey choked the likes of Bruno and Mount. As most of the attacks were coming from the wing, the Gunners’ were compact in between the lines. They blocked every passing channels and pressed rigorously. Man United just couldn’t match the intensity of the hosts.
https://twitter.com/premierleague/status/1864439618059293114?t=V39MN0xA6FzCFnjJqSGVVA&s=19
Offensively, Saka was brilliant as usual. However, Martinelli and Havertz were not in their best. The Brazilian got plenty of chances, but he messed up in the final third. Havertz was wasteful in front of goal as well. Arsenal are certainly reaping the fruits of Odegaard’s arrival. They’re creating more chances, and keeping the possession more.
Arsenal’s ability to choke their opposition in their own box is simply admirable. They’ll continue to reap the fruits until it gets figured out. Both the teams will play this weekend hoping to earn three points.
For more sports updates, make sure to follow us on:
Recommended for you