Arsenal 1-2 Manchester United : Five Talking Points

Modified Nov 23, 2014 04:14 GMT

An own goal from Kieran Gibbs and an exquisite chip from Wayne Rooney was enough to seal all three points for Manchester United at the Emirates. The home side huffed and puffed but could only manage a consolation goal late in the game to show for their efforts.Here are the major talking points from the game.

#1 Arsenal pay the ultimate prize for failing to capitalise on initial momentum

Having won just one of their last 14 games against United in all competitions, the Gunners couldn't have hoped for a better time to play them. The visitors hadn't won away all season and were struggling for fit defenders and before the game Arsene Wenger wanted his side to get at United at the start. True to their manager's words, the home side started like a house on fire and should have been at least 3-0 up inside the opening 20 minutes. But when the Gunners failed to take any of their chances, it looked as though they might live to regret that. And right on cue they did as their defensive went missing yet again. Time and again, the home side committed too many players forward and were caught on the break. In the end, they were lucky to lose just 2-1 as it could've been much worse. Again, the side's lack of game management proved to be the difference as they exposed their fragile defence to the pace of United's attackers and when you do that, often there is only one result.

#2 Wenger\'s Wilshere dilemma

If there ever was a performance that encapsulated Jack Wilshere's career at Arsenal, this was it. After playing as the defensive midfielder for England over the international break, Wilshere was allowed the freedom to roam the length of the pitch against United. The 22-year-old to his credit started the game really well and showed just why his Wenger wants him to play further forward. After missing a easy chance to put his side ahead, the midfielder was lucky to even be on the pitch after head butting Marouane Fellaini right in front of referee Mike Dean's eyes. But that luck didn't last long as he got injured 10 minutes into the second half which meant that he has only completed 90 minutes in the League, once in the last nine months. If Wenger wants Wilshere fit for any extended length of time, he might have to move him back to a more defensive role where he is less likely to exert himself physically.

#3 United finally up and away

Going into the crucial game at the Emirates, the Red Devils hadn't won a single game away from home all season long and a defeat would've spelled disaster for Van Gaal, who was trying to make do with the players he had. After the opening 20 minutes, it looked as though they might have to wait a little longer for their win as they were being ripped apart by the home side. But the visitors showcased their powers of resilience, thanks mainly to David De Gea, who kept them in the game in the first half. But the Spaniard's efforts paid dividends as United hit Arsenal on the break, not once but twice and condemned the Gunners to their first home League defeat since the opening day of last season.

#4 Is this be the spark that United needed?

Chelsea's comfortable win over West Brom earlier in the day meant that if United lost, they would have been 16 points behind Chelsea after just 12 games. Irrespective of the amount of injuries they have had and the transitional nature of the squad, that would've put even more pressure on Van Gaal particularly given the amount of money of he has spent. After the early exchanges this looked as though it might be a lop-sided affair but United held firm and came away with a vital victory. A victory that propelled them into the top four and one that might just serve as the boost they need to go on a run of victories.

#5 Will the injuries ever stop for United?

While it isn't really a excuse for their poor start to the season, United's current injury crisis is something that no side could come through unscathed. So it is was perhaps not that surprising to see United revert to a three at the back against Arsenal. If there was one thing that Van Gaal would've wanted more than three points from the game was to come through without any further injuries. But when Luke Shaw twisted his ankle in the opening few minutes, it was the 40th injury a United player had suffered this season, staggering considering the fact that we are just three months into the season. The club have already used 36 players this season, which is a record and surely can't keep it up too much longer. Whether it is bad luck or the training regime, something has to give if United are to maintain their surge up the table.

Edited by Staff Editor