'%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,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
It was a one sided match, to say the least. I hope the match served as an eye opener to Arsene Wenger who still has three days to go in the transfer window.
David De Gea (7.5)
Saved a van Persie penalty and made two great back to back saves in the first half. However, his great performance was negated when Theo Walcott shot went through his legs just before the break. Could do nothing about the second goal. Had the pleasure of being on the pitch while United ran riot. Satisfying outing, but still scope for improvement.
Chris Smalling (8)
The young English defender is improving with every appearance. Was a force while defending and trouble Traore on more than one occasion while going forward. Combined well with Nani on the right flank.
Trending
Phil Jones (7.5)
The sturdy defender was immense on the pitch. While his partner Jonny Evans struggled a bit, Jones looked comfortable while going into challenges. Made some important interceptions. Looked super-confident for a 19 year old.
Jonny Evans (7)
Gave away a soft penalty when he tugged back Theo Walcott. De Gea saved him of the blushes and stopped the penalty. Looked nervy at times but made some quality blocks. Ended up with most number of interceptions (4) by an United defender.
Patrice Evra (7.5)
The Frenchman looked good while running forward with the ball. His mazy runs on the left flank were too much for young Carl Jenkinson. Earned a penalty when Walcott fouled him inside Arsenal‘s penalty box. Looked calm and composed while defending.
Ashley Young (9)
Was way too good for the young Arsenal defense. Has been handed over Scholes’ number by United and looked worth wearing it. His express runs and delightful crosses left Arsenal off-guard. He scored two superb goals as well (the first one was a real beauty).
Tom Cleverley (7.5)
Was solid in the middle of the park. Wasn’t tested much by Arsenal attack but provided great support while attacking. Had some lovely touches on the ball and went close to scoring after playing a delightful 1-2 with Chicharito.
Anderson (8)
The Brazilian had his first full pre-season with United this year and it shows in his performance. He dominated the midfield and never really allowed Arsenal to settle on the ball. Was involved in setting up Welbeck’s opener.
Luis Nani (7)
Produced his usual trickery and was a constant threat to Arsenal defense. Scored from a chip over Szczesny in the 67th minute. Looked confident while with the ball. Needs to get more consistent with the final delivery.
Wayne Rooney (10)
A perfect 10 for the striker. Scored two lovely free kicks and added a third from the spot. Displayed a nice gesture when instead of taking the penalty himself, asked Giggs to take it (so that Giggs record of scoring in every premier league season remains intact). However, Giggs refused and Rooney scored his third of the match. Hit the cross bar on one occasion when his chip teased Szczesny.
Danny Welbeck (7)
Had to be substituted in the first half due to hamstring injury or else would have enjoyed this goal feast. Anyway, he was the one responsible for opening the floodgates with a header past Szczesny. Enjoyed his time on the pitch. Get well soon Welbz.
Substitutes:
Javier Hernandez (7)
Didn’t look match fit. Made some good runs but was caught offside a few times. Linked well with Cleverley but the youngster couldn’t provide a finishing touch.
Ji Sung Park (8)
Came on for Nani in the 68th minute and was on the scoresheet two minutes later. Collected the ball and sent a perfect shot into the bottom left corner of Arsenal goal with his weaker foot.
Ryan Giggs (7)
Came on along with Park for Anderson. Had nothing much to do as the ball stayed pretty much high up at Arsenal end for the final 20 minutes, courtesy United’s excellent attack.
Arsenal:
Wojciech Szczesny (6)
Looked helpless at times. Could do nothing about United’s goals. Needs proper defenders to guard him.
Carl Jenkinson (3)
Forced to start his Premier League career earlier than expected, the 19 year old had a game to forget. Looked all over the place against Ashley Young and to top a miserable performance, managed to get himself sent-off in the 77th minute.
Laurent Koscielny (4.5)
Made some good interceptions in the opening 15-20 minutes but then, devoid of quality support, gave up. Looked visibly tired. Was a threat in United’s box however it wasn’t just his or Arsenal’s day.
Johan Djourou (4)
Only God knows what he was trying to do while Welbeck scored the opener. Looked all over the place and down on confidence. Was even reportedly not fit enough to start but had to play following Vermaelen’s injury.
Armand Traore (4)
Was outclassed by Nani and even Smalling. The player who spent his last season on-loan at Juventus looked out of sorts. Maybe another loan spell, but considering Arsenal’s defensive situation, Wenger might keep him at Emirates.
Francis Coquelin (4)
Another of the 20-year-old-Frenchmen that Wenger loves to buy. Coquelin was a forced inclusion following Frimpong’s and Song’s suspension. Struggled to hold on to the ball and was dispossessed quite easily.
Aaron Ramsey (6)
The best Arsenal player on the pitch tonight. At just 20, the Welshman looks a player-to-watch in the future and a hope to Arsenal’s falling midfield.
Tomas Rosicky (3.5)
Was he even on the field? Efficiently managed to keep a distance between himself and the ball for the entire 90 minutes. Anyhow, his stay on the pitch just proved that Arsenal need to buy before the end of the transfer window.
Theo Walcott (5)
Looked lively. Scored the opener for Gunners but it was credited to De Gea’s error. Didn’t get enough of the ball. Conceded a second half penalty when every Arsenal player looked flustered.
Robin van Persie (5.5)
Scored Arsenal’s second. Looked aloof on the pitch and made no efforts to come back into his own half to challenge. Jones and Evans didn’t allow him to pose a threat.
Substitutes:
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (6)
Replaced Coqulein in the 62nd minute and didn’t put a foot wrong for the remaining game. Looks a real star for the future.
Henri Lansbury, Marouane Chamakh
Came on for Walcott and van Persie in the 83rd minute. Didn’t get enough match time.
