Manchester United and Arsenal played out an attritional 2 – 2 draw at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
Manchester United named an odd starting XI, without Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku. Diogo Dalot started at right wing back for United, while Rashford, Martial and Lingard played up front.
Arsenal made two changes from their North London Derby victory over Tottenham last Sunday. Matteo Guendouzi came in for the suspended Granit Xhaka, and Aaron Ramsey started instead of Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Xhaka’s experience was missed in the Arsenal midfield, as Manchester United controlled the opening period of the game. Guendouzi appeared to be finding it tough going on the end of rotational fouling by the UTD players.
Despite early UTD pressure, neither side really got going in an attacking sense. It took something of a freak goal to spark the half into life. In the 26th minute, Arsenal took the lead through Shkodran Mustafi.
A corner was played in from the left, and Mustafi hit a header into the ground. De Gea spilled the ball and it went over the line before Herrera could clear it. There were a few seconds of uncertainty, as the players didn’t know if it had crossed the line.
Andre Marriner eventually signalled that it was a goal and Arsenal were 1 – 0 up. The lead didn’t last long though and four minutes later United were level. Arsenal failed to clear the ball after Leno saved a free kick, and Martial smashed home from close range.
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The second half was a much improved spectacle, although the challenges were still flying in. Arsenal pressure paid off in the 68th minute when they again took the lead.
United lost the ball in midfield and Arsenal countered with Lacazette, who played a one-two with Mkhitaryan. Marcos Rojo tried to challenge the frenchman in the box, but ultimately ended up putting the ball into his own net. 2 -1 Arsenal.
Their lead lasted just seconds this time, as Manchester United played a long ball into their box straight after the restart. With the Arsenal defenders panicked, Jesse Lingard tapped in through the legs of Leno for 2 – 2.
Arsenal will feel they should have won the game with the chances they had. United failed to pressure them sufficiently despite bringing on Pogba, Lukaku and Fellaini.
The Gunners will take a draw at Old Trafford in the context of a whole season, but it could have been costly. Rob Holding went down with what appeared to be a serious knee injury in the first half.
Holding was taken back to London immediately, and will be assessed further over the next 48 hours.
