Arsenal 2 Man United 3
What a ridiculous game of football. I must be honest as a United fan I was taking the draw after Merino scored the equaliser from a corner but just 3 minutes later Matheus Cunha scores a worldy to give United their first win at the Emirates since 2017 in the Premier League. United were well worthy of the win in the end giving Arsenal very few chances from open play to worry Lammens in the United net. Patrick Dorgu’s goal was a thing of beauty at the start of the second half combining nicely with Fernandes before blasting the ball off the bar and in to give United the lead at the start of the second half. Arteta then made 4 changes subbing on Gyokeres, Madueke, Merino and Ben White who probably didn’t have the impact that Mikel Arteta would have wanted lacking that real quality that Arsenal needed to get back into the game. An unbelievable result for Michael Carrick as United keep building that momentum needed to get into the top 4/5.
Attacking football is back at United. If you’ve been reading the pieces I’ve been doing on United over the last few months you’ll know that I’ve been sick of the lack of attacking players on the pitch under Ruben Amorim, often times having 8 or 9 defensive-minded players in the 11 leading to a lack of creativity in the final third but life has changed under Michael Carrick in the last 2 games, moving players back to their best positions like Bruno in the 10 and Amad out wide has led to United being more free-flowing going forward and we saw that again today, the first goal was so poor from Zubimendi but Mbeumo took it well which then switched the momentum to United’s favour who controlled the rest of the first half. The options of the bench for United changed the game with Matheus Cunha in particular having a magical cameo winning the game for United, what a result for United.
So so poor from Arsenal. It might just be me but the only time I was really afraid of conceding from Arsenal was when they got a set-piece whether it was a corner or a free-kick and you could really see them playing for corners as the game went on. The Arsenal attack yet again lacked the quality needed to break down United’s attack as Saka, Trossard and Jesus could have had no complaints being subbed off, but the subs also lacked quality as Eze couldn’t get into the game and Gyokeres was too busy fighting Lisandro Martinez rather than trying to score. Arsenal remain 4 points clear at the top of the league but City may be smelling blood with the addition of Guehi to strengthen their defence, it’s not time to panic but Arsenal have to find some quality in the attack in the Premier League.
What a difference 2 weeks make. Michael Carrick didn’t have to work magic to turn this United team into an actual competitive side and compete for Champions League football, playing attacking football and playing your best players in their best positions isn’t rocket science and fair play to Carrick for the performances over the last 2 games. It’s been brilliant to see some attacking football against the 2 best teams in the league and it’ll be interesting to see how the performance is against Fulham next week when the onus is on United to dominate the game and get the 3 points at home, top 4/5 is there for the taking with 1 game a week and there’s no reason that United can’t get it.
Title race back on? Arsenal’s lead at the top of the league is now 4 points with City and Villa on the same points and Arsenal will be hoping history doesn’t repeat itself in dropping off in the second half of the season as they’ve done over the last few years, of course they’re still massive favourites as City have looked inconsistent over the last month or so but it does open the door slightly for City or possibly Villa to just look ahead and put some pressure on the league leaders over the next few weeks. It’s Leeds away next week which is far from an easy game for Arsenal and Arteta has to find some attacking quality in his team if they are to go on and win the league in May. A big few weeks ahead for Arsenal as they have to bounce back fast or risk letting City and Villa back into the title race.