Premier League 2018/19: Manchester United 2-2 Arsenal - 5 Talking Points

Manchester United v Arsenal FC - Premier League
Manchester United v Arsenal FC - Premier League

Arsenal travelled to Old Trafford to face a Manchester United woefully out of form. The Gunners, meanwhile, were coming on the back of a morale-boosting win in the North London Derby. The game was packed with entertainment value and finished 2-2.

Shkodran Mustafi opened the scoring with a header after David De Gea spilt his effort in the first half. Anthony Martial levelled soon after, pouncing on a loose ball in the box after a free-kick.

Marcos Rojo gave the ball away cheaply in the second half and finished the move by putting the ball into his own net to hand the visitors the lead. But Arsenal responded with a gaffe of their own, and Jesse Lingard nipped in to equalise.

Here are the major talking points from a happening clash at Old Trafford.


#5 Wing-backs proving to be effective for Emery in the new system

Kolasinac was a constant attacking threat
Kolasinac was a constant attacking threat

Unai Emery adopted a three-man defence against Bournemouth last month, and he has continued to deploy that formation since. Hector Bellerin and Sead Kolasinac have played as wing-backs in the new system, and their influence has been a positive one, especially in the final third.

Kolasinac had an eventful game, as he made a huge mistake for Jesse Lingard's goal. But in the final third he was an ever-present, constantly making runs in behind Diogo Dalot. He was unlucky to not get an assist in the game, as Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan both missed golden chances from his crosses.

Bellerin was effective to a lesser extent, but considering his attacking instincts, he is sure to make an impact in the coming games. Emery has made the change to his formation despite being quite successful with the previous one.

In a four-man defence, Arsenal could not get adequate width as they lack any orthodox wingers. The wing-backs' success may convince him to keep up with this system.

#4 United start stronger, but Arsenal build their way back into the game

Herrera was impressive for United
Herrera was impressive for United

Jose Mourinho deployed an unfamiliar formation, but it did not seem to matter as the home side dominated proceedings early on. The likes of Ander Herrera and Jesse Lingard instigated the press, and the Arsenal appeared to be flustered. Herrera, in particular, had a strong game, playing with great energy and drive.

But they soon grew into the game and started to pass the ball around with a little more authority. The likes of Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi came into the game, and at the end of the game, Arsenal shaded the possession stats.

Arsenal continued to be the stronger in the second half, and they missed golden opportunities which fell to Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. As the match neared its closure, they were the side who were threatening to snatch the win but failed to make a dent in the scoreline in the end.

#3 Manchester United can't catch a break

Mourinho's side are languishing in the eighth place
Mourinho's side are languishing in the eighth place

It seems strange to hear, but United have not won a league game for a month. They lost comprehensively to Manchester City in the derby, and then managed draws against Crystal Palace and Southampton before getting a point today against Arsenal.

The Red Devils are languishing in eighth place in the league, a position which no fans of theirs are accustomed to. They are now eight points behind the Champions League spots, and clinching a top-four place is looking more daunting by the week.

It looked as though a turnaround could follow after the Newcastle result, but it just has not happened. They have dropped way too many points to 'inferior' sides, and the negative goal difference is another sign of how far they have fallen. Hopefully, for the Old Trafford faithful, the festive period will be festive in the footballing sense.

#2 Arsenal overcome a testing week to preserve unbeaten run

Emery will be pleased with the recent results
Emery will be pleased with the recent results

Unai Emery faced two intense games in the space of four days, and all things considered, the outcome can be considered as a positive one. The Gunners were sensational on Sunday, as they claimed a 4-2 win in a heated derby over Spurs.

They travelled to Old Trafford midweek, a place which doesn't present any good memories for them. The game ended 2-2, and if any side could have won it, it was Arsenal based on the chances they created.

Despite the draw against United, the past two games have shown how far Arsenal have come since last season. There seems to be character and belief in their camp, and the unbeaten run is a testament to that.

Emery's side is currently outside the top four on just goal difference, but they will be hopeful of finishing fourth come the end of the season. If not more, that is.

#1 Defensive errors result in an entertaining game

Rojo tries to prevent the third goal, but in vain
Rojo tries to prevent the third goal, but in vain

For all the quality on the pitch at Old Trafford, all the four goals came due to defensive shortcomings. David De Gea spilt Shkodran Mustafi's header as he tried to hold it, where parrying it would have been the correct option. Then Bernd Leno couldn't parry a Marcos Rojo's free-kick out of danger, and United scored from the rebound.

Marcos Rojo made a huge gaffe in the second half when a lapse of concentration presented the ball to Alexandre Lacazette, and a goal resulted as a result. Just a couple of seconds after the restart, lack of communication between Kolasinac and Leno meant that Jesse Lingard slipped into level again.

The goals did liven up the game, but neither backline would be satisfied with the conceding of any of the four goals on the night.


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Edited by Nishant Jayaram