Manchester United and Arsenal drew 1 – 1 Monday in a game that won’t convince anyone of their top four credentials.
Compared to the Manchester United VS Arsenal games of the past, this was a terrible game. Objectively, it was a terrible game too.
The only two moments of quality in the game led to both goals. Following a conservative first half, a rasping Scott McTominay strike gave Manchester United the lead.
Arsenal equalized in the second half. Pierre-Emerick Aubemeyang’s deft finish beat David de Gea and was awarded as a goal after a VAR intervention.
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The only positives for both teams were the performances of young players. United’s 21-year old defender Axel Tuanzebe acquitted himself well, despite being at fault for Arsenal’s goal.
Arsenal’s Bulayo Saka caught the eye with some impressive play up against the veteran Ashley Young.
While that bodes well for the long term, the immediate future of both teams is in doubt following the game. This stems not from the fact that both teams failed to win. A draw against your rival isn’t that bad of a result.
It stems from the insipid, uninspired performances which were both completely lacking in confidence.
Arsenal are the joint second-favourites to qualify for the Champions League, level with Chelsea at 11/10. One suspects that if Pierre-Emerick Aubemeyang gets a bad injury, those odds would plummet.
United are the fourth favourites at 5/2, just ahead of dark horses Leicester at 7/2.
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It’s likely that Leicester will drop off as the season unfolds, as there is always one outsider team that impresses early on only to fall away. Manchester United and Arsenal will both pray that this is the case, because neither side have played anywhere close to their potential so far this season.
