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Robin van Persie of Manchester United competes with Mikel Arteta of Arsenal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford.
Robin van Persie’s first-half header gives the Reds all three points with a battling 1-0 win over Arsenal at Old Trafford. The result pushes United into the fifth place in the table, five points behind the Gunners.
The players produced a spectacle on the night with everyone giving it their all right from the first whistle to the last. Let’s have a look how all of them fared individually on the pitch.
Manchester United
David De Gea – 7/10
Arsenal had only a couple of shots on target and that too from long range which were comfortably dealt by the Spanish goalkeeper. He did his duties even on crosses by punching away a couple of dangerous crosses put in by the Arsenal wingers. However, De Gea could have done a little better in coming forward and picking up a few balls which he otherwise left for his defenders to clear the lines.
Chris Smalling – 8.5/10
The England international put in a stellar performance at the right back both in the defense as well as supporting Valencia in the attack. The 23-year-old used his height to great effect to clear any balls that came into the United penalty area. Made a crucial tackle in the 6-yard area when Giroud turned and was ready to take a clear shot at goal. However, he could have done a lot better in heading a Van Persie free-kick late in the second half which he mis-judged and headed wide.
Jonny Evans – 7/10
Well marshaled the threat posed by Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla upfront. Complemented Nemanja Vidic,and then later Phil Jones, at the center of defense and didn’t let himself draw out of position or lose concentration with quick movements of Arsenal players ahead of him, especially in the second half.
Nemanja Vidic – 8/10
A real captain’s performance at the center of the defense up until he was substituted during half time after suffering a clash with his teammate David De Gea. Was constantly at the heels of the in-form Olivier Giroud and didn’t gave the Frenchman even a sniff of a chance during the first half. The Serbian was unbeatable in the air too. Was unlucky not to continue his great first half performance in the second half.
Patrice Evra – 6/10
A rather subdued performance from the French international as he was found out of position several times during both the halves. Bacary Sagna and Ozil double teamed him on the Arsenal’s right wing that produced a couple of dangerous crosses into the United area. Going forward, as well, his crosses were easily dealt by the Gunners goalkeeper.
Antonio Valencia – 7.5/10
The Ecuadorian put in a great shift for the team on the night. Performed the dual role of attacking the Arsenal left back and supporting his own right back to perfection. Used his strength and pace several times to out muscle the players around him and skipped past them. Provided one or two decent crosses into the box.
Michael Carrick – 7/10
Was not his best game by any stretch of imagination, probably because he has missed the last couple of games due to injury. But over the last year, he has set his standards so high that even a couple of bad touches or misplaced passes are not expected of the England international. A composed performance nonetheless. Did his usual duties of reading the game perfectly and making a few crucial interceptions to break up Arsenal’s play.
Phil Jones – 8.5/10
Was employed tactically in the center midfield alongside Michael Carrick, ahead of Marouane Fellaini and Tom Cleverley, to use his strength against Arsenal forwards and restrict their passing. And he didn’t disappoint his manager at all. Made some wonderful interceptions and blocks in the first half every time Arsenal had the ball. Was unlucky to receive a yellow card after a clash against the Gunners goalkeeper.
Was employed at center back in the second half after the substitution of Vidic and carried on from where he left in the first half. Put in a determined performance overall.
Shinji Kagawa – 6/10
The Japanese didn’t have a great match, largely due to the left wing position that he was played in. Had to track back a lot to cover up the space for Evra whenever the Frenchman went out of position. Tried linking up with Rooney and van Persie during the first half but to no great effect. Had very little impact on the game in the second half as he had to support Evra on the left flank due to Ozil and Sagna double teaming the French left back. Played for the team nevertheless.
Wayne Rooney – 8.5/10
The Manchester United number 10 continued his stupendous form for the season to put in a great performance on the night. Provided a wonderful delivery from the corner which was headed in home by van Persie. Looked determined to win every ball during the match. He was seen defending in his own penalty area and then when the ball was cleared, he was the first man closing down the Arsenal defenders at the half way line.
The only glitch was probably the chance that he missed, which he should have scored after bringing the ball on to his left foot and then shooting it just wide outside the post.
Robin van Persie – 9/10
The Dutchman proved to be the scorn for Arsenal yet again after his third consecutive goal in as many matches against the Gunners for Manchester United. Perfectly timed his run and then placed his header in the top right corner from a wonderful delivery by Wayne Rooney. He was world class throughout the match in holding the ball and keeping the possession for his team. Truly outstanding performance by the Manchester United striker.
Substitutions
Tom Cleverley – 6.5/10
Came in the second half on for injured Nemanja Vidic and replaced Phil Jones, who moved to the center back, in the midfield. Took some time to get used to the pace of the game but performed fairly well after that.
Ryan Giggs – 6.5/10
Came late on in the second half for Shinji Kagawa and performed his duties well. He was sent in there to protect the left wing along with Evra and keep hold of possession when the ball was with United.
Marouane Fellaini – NA
The Belgian was introduced for the last five minutes to add fresh legs into the midfield after a foray of Arsenal attacks. Didn’t have much impact on the match
Arsenal
Wojciech Szczesny – 7/10
Just like David De Gea, the Polish keeper also didn’t have much to do in a match which had very few shots on target. Couldn’t have done anything for the goal that van Persie scored. Did well on crosses and distribution of the ball otherwise.
Bacary Sagna – 6.5/10
After a silent first half performance, where he was well attacked by Kagawa and Evra, the French defender came into his own during the second half. Produced a couple of as delightful crosses as you would ever see from a right back that needed only a touch to be converted into the goal. Unfortunately for Arsenal, it never came. Had a tough moment in the second half when Rooney beat him to have a clear shot at goal.
Laurent Koscienly – 6.5/10
Kept his positioning well and cleared a couple of good crosses from Valencia that could have otherwise pounced on by the United strikers.
Thomas Vermaelen – 6.5/10
He was called in for injured Mertesacker and performed his duties well. Didn’t let himself drawn to the deep runs made by Rooney and cleared a few balls off his penalty area. However, he was lucky on one occasion when van Persie knicked the ball off him at the half way line and put Valencia in behind on the right wing, before being pulled back by the referee for a wrong foul.
Kieran Gibbs – 6.5/10
Had a tough task of keeping the pacy Antonio Valencia at bay and performed fairly well. He was a good match to the Ecuadorian pace which kept him close to the United winger and restricted him to only two-three good crosses. Didn’t provide much threat going forward.
Aaron Ramsey – 5/10
The Welshman looked a shadow of himself as he was largely ineffective during the entire match. Misplaced quite a few simple passes and easily lost possession before any Arsenal play could develop. Had only one shot on target, and that too a weak one which was comfortably handled by David De Gea.
Mathieu Flamini – 6/10
Returned from an injury and was given the task to break up the United play in the midfield and not allow Wayne Rooney, in particular, any time and space on the ball.However, he couldn’t stop the England forward dictate the play from midfield. Earned himself a yellow card when he tried to break a driving run from Phil Jones in the first half. Was substituted by Wilshere at the 60th minute.
Mikel Arteta – 5.5/10
The Spanish midfielder was largely anonymous in the first half as Carrick and Jones didn’t allow him any time on the ball. Came back into the game a bit in the second half but was not effective in any way.
Mesut Ozil – 5/10
Just like Aaron Ramsey, the German too looked a shadow of himself as he very uncharacteristically misplaced a number of very easy passes which could have otherwise let Arsenal get behind the United defenders. Apart from a quick one-two that he exchanged with Giroud right outside the United penalty area early in the second half, he couldn’t do much to add any flair to the Gunners attack.
Olivier Giroud – 7/10
Worked hard throughout the match but was very well marshaled by the inspired United defense. He was the only Arsenal player who came close to scoring when his shot on goal was taken off his toes by a last ditch tackle by Smalling. However, he could have done better on a couple of delightful crosses put in by Sagna from Arsenal’s right flank in the second half.
Santi Cazorla – 5.5/10
Was largely anonymous during the entire match as Evans and Vidic didn’t let him get close to the ball. Disappointing performance from the Arsenal midfielder.
Substitutions
Jack Wilshere – 5.5/10
Came on for Flamini at the 60th minute to inject some pace and creativity into the Arsenal play but took his own time to settle to the pace of the game. Couldn’t affect the match as much as his manager would have liked.
Nicklas Bendtner – NA
He was put into the match late by Arsene Wenger to rescue a goal but couldn’t really do anything to affect the game.
