Arsenal vs Manchester United: Match report

In an exhilarating Super Sunday, both Manchester clubs won against the London clubs. Man City beat Spurs thanks to a 95th minute penalty from Mario Balotelli and Man Utd kept up with leaders City with a late win at the Emirates.

With leaders City winning late on, the Champions knew that only a win would be good enough to keep them in the title race.

United started well and produced a fantastic first half performance by taking a 0-1 lead into the interval. The goal came right at the end of the half after constant pressure by United, mainly on the left hand side, with Nani repeatedly taking on make-shift right-back Johan Djourou, but failing to produce a good end product.

Two minutes before the break though, the goal came. Ryan Giggs moved to the left hand side and did what Nani couldn’t. The Welshman delivered an accurate cross for in form winger Antonio Valencia, who beat Thomas Vermaelen and headed home. This was no less than United deserved.

Into the second half and Wenger made a substitution. He took off the extremely poor Djourou and brought on 18 year old full back Nico Yennaris. The change worked well as Arsenal’s right hand side wasn’t as open as it was in the first half.

Arsenal were a much better side in the second half and had a fantastic opportunity to equalise. Chris Smalling slipped in his own half leaving Tomas Rosicky to run through on goal, before he squared it for man of the moment Robin van Persie who amazingly, slashed wide.

At the other end Danny Welbeck almost made it 0-2, but for a tidy clearance off the line by Per Mertesacker.

The striker lifted the ball over Szczesny but the shot was always lacking power.

Arsenal, however, didn’t let this get to them. Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Rosicky tried attempts but to no avail before their pressure was finally rewarded. Oxlade-Chamberlain played a nice through ball to van Persie who fired in a clinical shot through Johnny Evans legs and away from the outstretched arm of Lindegaard into the goal.

Straight after the goal, Oxlade-Chamberlain was taken off, much to Robin van Persie’s disgust, and who could blame him? The young 18 year old, had a great game and outclassed Theo Walcott in every department. Nani, who was injured by Laurent Koscielny and Rafael, who replaced the injured Phil Jones, both came off for Paul Scholes and Park Ji Sung.

The changes worked in United’s favour as substitute Paul Scholes picked out Ecuadorian international Antonio Valencia, who easily shrugged off the challenge of Chamberlain’s replacement, Arshavin, and eventually set up hot striker Danny Welbeck to smash home the winner. This was Welbeck’s 3rd goal in as many games and 9th of the season in all competitions. A fantastic win for the Champions.

Anders Lindegaard – A tidy performance, did well when called upon, was unlucky for the goal.

Phil Jones – Was unlucky to go off on a stretcher through injury early in the first half.

Jonny Evans – A very good performance after keeping Robin van Persie quiet for most of the game.

Chris Smalling – A good performance from the young star. Started at right back before switching to centre back. Looked comfortable.

Patrice Evra – Sky Sports man of the match and rightly so. Fantastic performance going forward and defended professionally. Kept Walcott quiet all game.

Nani – Did well to take on Djourou on countless occasions but needs to work on crossing with weaker foot. A decent performance overall which was shortened after having gone off due to injury form Koscielny challenge.

Michael Carrick – A standard professional performance by Carrick. Kept a cool head in defending situations and never looked like losing the ball.

Ryan Giggs – Rolled back the years at times by running past players with ease. Great cross for the first goal. A comfortable performance in central midfield.

Antonio Valencia – This man could easily have got the man of the match. Scored the opener and then got the assist for the winner. Another fantastic performance for the man in form.

Wayne Rooney – Was involved in most moves as usual, and was taken out by Arsenal players on countless occasions. A good performance by Wayne.

Danny Welbeck – Another good game for young Danny Welbeck. Scored the winner and was unlucky not to score when 0-1. Workrate was superb and deserves his place in the team.

Thanks for reading and take care.

Written by Yusuf Khan