'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAwf/2gAIAQEAAAAAmT//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/9oACAECEAAAAA//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAEDEAAAAHf/xAAkEAACAQMACwAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMABAUGBxESISIjJDIzcf/aAAgBAQABPwDSK2xDm3xsHT7yW2t4WX0brlZHkYJz+PBRUOrZJoUlTM4lVdQwDpchh92JX//EABYRAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEAEv/aAAgBAgEBPwAcl//EABgRAAIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACARIh/9oACAEDAQE/AKq7Th//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Arsenal are on the verge of claiming the third position in the league table after managing a draw at Old Trafford. Manchester United were impressive in the first half and they got the goal through Ander Herrera to lead the match at the break 1-0.
In the second half, Arsenal's performance improved with a change in attitude. Just when the match was set to finish in United's favour, a fortunate deflection of Tyler Blackett forced the teams to share the spoils.
Let us look at how the players performed on the night:
Manchester United
David De Gea - 7/10
The Spaniard was hardly troubled on the night. His first save on the evening came only in the second half and he made a good save from point black range against Giroud.
Antonio Valencia - 6.5/10
He offered good width on the right side by regularly surging forward to put many crosses in the box. He was also decent in defence.
Chris Smalling - 7/10
Smalling was effective in defence on his captaincy debut. He marked Giroud well in the box and cleared the crosses really well.
Phil Jones - 6/10
Jones was a bit shaky on couple of occasions in the night. The awkward headed interception he made on Giroud and the miscommunication with De Gea were some worrying sights.
Marcos Rojo - 7/10
Rojo was sound in defending. He made some crucial interceptions on his side and the clearance which he made from under the crossbar was his standout contribution.
Ander Herrera - 8/10 (Man of the match)
Herrera's revival in the second half of the season was evident against Arsenal. He was a tireless engine in the middle of the park with his great work rate. He also grabbed a well deserved goal.
Daley Blind - 6.5/10
Blind did well to rotate the ball and keep things ticking. He also did a good job on the defensive side. He was also unlucky to see his shot at the end of the first half blocked by his own defender Smalling.
Marouane Fellaini - 6.5/10
Arsenal struggled against the big Belgian. They found it difficult to deal with his huge physical presence. He however failed to make the most of the advantage.
Juan Mata - 6.5/10
He was at the heart of many attacks United had on the night. Also many passing moves on the night went through him.
Ashley Young - 7.5/10
The English winger was the club’s main attacking outlet on the night. Arsenal struggled to contain him on the left flank. It was from his cross that Herrera grabbed the goal.
Radamel Falcao - 4/10
Falcao may have very well played his last game at Old Trafford in a Red shirt. The Colombian's performance on the night summed up his season. He was anonymous for most of the game and was not effective with the ball when had it. He also gave the ball away many times.
Substitutes
Robin Van Persie (61') - 5/10
Van Persie was not able to do much against his former side. He also missed a late chance to win the match for United.
Tyler Blackett (73') - 5/10
He was unlucky for the ball to deflect of him for the Gunners’ late equaliser. Apart from that he defended decently.
Victor Valdes (74') - 5/10
Valdes finally made his Manchester United debut. He did decent after coming on as a substitute. He cannot be blamed for the goal.
Arsenal
David Ospina - 6.5/10
He could have hardly done much with the goal as it was his defenders’ fault. Other than that he did his job really well on the night.
Hector Bellerin - 4/10 (Flop of the match)
He struggled to contain Young on his side as the English winger enjoyed great space on the left flank. He was also not able to offer much in the attack in his usual manner.
Per Mertasacker - 5/10
Mertasacker struggled to keep up with United's pace in the first half. However, his performance gradually improved as the match wore on.
Laurient Koscielny - 6/10
Koscielny was better than his defensive partner on the night. He cleared the crosses which were put in the box and blocked the shots which were directed at their goal.
Nacho Monreal - 6/10
Monreal was effective in defending. He did well despite having the pacy Valencia on his side. He however offered little on the attack.
Francis Coquelin - 6/10
He did well in the defensive aspect of the game. Asides from being caught out of position few times, he did a good job on the night. He did not offer much in attack.
Santi Cazorla - 6/10
He was anonymous for most parts of the first half, but his performance improved in the second period. He also did well while defending.
Aaron Ramsey - 5.5/10
Ramsey struggled in the make-shift role on the night. He was anonymous for most parts of the game. But, his performance improved in the second half.
Mesut Ozil - 5/10
Just like his teammates, Ozil struggled to stamp his authority on the game. It was not a night to remember for the German.
Alexis Sanchez - 5/10
Sanchez was not able to make a same kind of impact he managed for most parts of the season. He however never stopped working and gave his all for most of the game.
Olivier Giroud - 6/10
Giroud struggled to hold the fort on his own up front. He however never stopped running and made a nuisance of himself in the box.
Substitutes
Theo Walcott (72') - 7/10
Walcott offered good width on the flanks after coming on. It was from his drilled cross that the ball deflected of Blackett for an own goal.
Jack Wilshere (73') - 6/10
He was brought on to offer an extra body in midfield and did well after coming on.
