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It was a tale of misfiring attacks and resolute defences at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday as both Arsenal and Manchester United passed up several presentable chances en route to a frustrating 0-0 draw in North London.
With the home side missing key first-team players such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Kieran Tierney, and Bukayo Saka, it was the visitors who took charge of proceedings in the first half. United went into the interval on the front foot, having had the better chances in a keenly contested encounter.
After a scrappy opening, the second half played out in a similar fashion to the first, with both sides looking to hit the other on the counter. As such, there were chances for both sides to win it, but a lack of clinicality in both camps meant that the points were ultimately shared.
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While United lose ground on table-topping neighbours Manchester City as a result of this draw, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men extend their unbeaten run away from home to a club record 18 Premier League games.
Arsenal, on the other hand, go eighth in the Premier League table, but leave the door open for Aston Villa, Southampton, and Chelsea to overtake them with a positive result in their respective upcoming fixtures.
On that note, here are the player ratings from a hard-fought but ultimately frustrating 0-0 draw between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates.
Arsenal Player Ratings
Bernd Leno: 5/10
While Leno had little to do during the course of the game, he rose to the occasion when called upon, with a diving finger-tip save to keep Fred out in the first half being his best moment.
Hector Bellerin: 5/10
Despite a below-average first-half during which he struggled to get to grips with Pogba’s physicality, Bellerin grew into the game as it wore on and got forward well in support of Pepe down the right flank in the second half.
Rob Holding: 6/10
A solid performance from the Englishman, who was often in the right place at the right time to keep the United attackers, especially Cavani, at bay.
David Luiz: 7/10
One of Arsenal’s stand-out performers, Luiz regularly won the ball high up the pitch for his side and was always looking to move it forward. He displayed superb confidence in possession.
Cedric Soares: 5/10
The Portuguese international continued deputising for the injured Kieran Tierney at left-back and had his hands full with Rashford and Wan-Bissaka, who regularly attacked down his side of the pitch.
Despite picking up an early booking, Cedric was able to complete his defensive responsibilities without further incident and even got forward well in support of his attackers.
Thomas Partey: 5/10
The Ghanaian continues to impress in midfield for Arsenal. He not just won the ball back for his side but also brought it upfield to set off a number of attacks. However, he did lose the ball on some occasions.
Granit Xhaka: 6.5/10
With the security of Partey beside him, Xhaka was able to put himself about on the pitch. He threw himself into a series of typically robust challenges.
Gabriel Martinelli: 5/10
Replacing Bukayo Saka on Arsenal’s left flank, the young Brazilian was closely marked by Wan-Bissaka throughout. He was unable to make a telling contribution to the game, which prompted his substitution at half time.
Emile Smith Rowe: 5/10
Althouh he was not as influential as he has been in recent games, the young Englishman was full of desire. He ran around during his stint on the pitch, hurrying and harrying the United defenders.
Nicolas Pepe: 6/10
The Ivorian looked dangerous throughout the game, frequently cutting in from the right flank and shooting with his potent left foot.
However, the final product deserted him at vital moments as he saw a couple of his shots pass agonisingly wide of the post.
Alexandre Lacazette: 5.5/10
Lacazette led the line manfully in the absence of Aubameyang and went closer than anyone to scoring after his second-half free-kick crashed against the bar with De Gea seemingly beaten. He gave as good as he got in an intense physical battle against Maguire before being withdrawn late on after suffering a blow to the head.
Arsenal Substitutes
Willian: 5/10
Having replaced his compatriot Martinelli on the left flank at half time, Willian saw a lot of the ball in the second half but was unable to make a a telling impact on the game.
Martin Odegaard: 5/10
The Real Madrid loanee made his Arsenal bow late in the second half and was full of running. He showed a few clever touches during his time on the pitch.
Eddie Nketiah: N.A.
Replaced Lacazette in second-half injury time and barely got a touch of the ball for Arsenal.
Manchester United Player Ratings:
David de Gea: 5/10
While he was largely untested in the first half, the Spaniard maintained his concentration levels in the second, where he was much more active.
A fine diving stop down to his left to keep out Smith Rowe was the extent to which he was tested as he kept his clean sheet intact.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka: 7/10
The United right-back displayed his excellent tackling ability in one-on-one situations on more than one occasion and kept things quiet down his flank despite receiving a booking in the second half.
Wan-Bissaka was extremely eager to get forward as well, often pushing up in support of Rashford down the right flank, but was unable to find consistency with his crosses.
Victor Lindelof: 5/10
The Swede was typically understated in defence, making several timely interceptions as he helped keep the Arsenal attack at bay.
Harry Maguire: 5/10
The United skipper had his hands full with Lacazette throughout the game and did well to keep him quiet for most of the game, but picked up a yellow card in the second half for a foul on the Frenchman.
Luke Shaw: 6/10
Having emerged as a promising attacking outlet down the left-hand side for United this season, Shaw was a willing runner down the wing and put in a number of probing crosses into the box.
However, the Englishman arguably came off second best against a lively Pepe, who got into dangerous shooting positions far too regularly for his liking.
Fred: 6/10
Despite the loss of his midfield partner midway through the first half, Fred was undeterred from his role as United’s midfield destroyer as he made a number of important tackles throughout the game.
The Brazilian was close to becoming an unlikely matchwinner as his goal-bound effort was tipped around the post by Leno in the first half.
Scott McTominay: 5/10
The young Scotsman was getting through his midfield duties in typically uncomplicated and calm fashion before his evening was cut short by a bout of stomach cramps that forced him off in the first half.
Marcus Rashford: 5/10
Despite finding himself in a series of promising positions on the right flank, Rashford was let down by his decision-making in key areas. He failed to make the most of his opportunities before being replaced late in the second half.
Bruno Fernandes: 5/10
As has often been the case in recent matches, the Portuguese midfielder faded away after a promising beginning to the game and saw less and less of the ball as the game wore on.
Paul Pogba: 6/10
Having started the game on the left wing, Pogba was forced to move back into a deeper midfield role after McTominay was forced off. But he was fairly influential on proceedings as he got involved in a lot of United’s attacking play with some accurate passing.
Edinson Cavani: /10
The veteran striker found himself in a couple of extremely promising positions in front of goal, but his finishing touch seemed to have deserted him in this game as he ended up firing narrowly wide each time.
Manchester United Substitutes:
Anthony Martial: 5/10
An unexpected first-half substitute, Martial took up a place on the left wing and was heavily involved in United’s attacking play.
Mason Greenwood: 5/10
Replaced Rashford on the right flank for the final 10 minutes and looked lively but was unable to make a decisive impact on the game.
