How David Moyes outwitted Arsene Wenger

It was hardly pretty, but in the end it’s the result that matters. A 1-0 victory at Old Trafford not only brought Manchester United to within five points of leaders, Arsenal, and ended their fine run of nine league games unbeaten, but it ensured that Moyes continued the club’s impeccable home record against the Gunners, as Sir Alex Ferguson had led the team to eight victories in their last nine meetings in all competitions prior to this. Arsenal were stopped from scoring for the first time this season at Old Trafford, the last time they were kept at bay was also against Moyes’ Everton at Goodison Park last season.

But numbers aside, there’s even more to relish. For one, Moyes would be proud of how he kept both Arsenal’s leading creator from last season and their leading creator this term quiet. Santi Cazorla created 95 chances last season, which ended up being not only the most by any Arsenal player, but also the third-highest amount in the league. The 11 assists he got, meanwhile, was a tally beaten only by Chelsea midfielder and Spanish compatriot Juan Mata (12).

Mesut Ozil didn’t do too badly either last term, creating 91 chances for Real Madrid, which was also the most for the club. It was a tally that was beaten by only Sevilla’s Ivan Rakitic (100) and Atletico Madrid striker Pizzi (94), who was on loan at Deportivo La Coruna. The 13 assists he got, meanwhile, was a tally beaten only by Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta (16). This season he leads the way for Arsenal, picking up where he left off in Spain, creating 23 chances, which is the third-most in the league. The four assists to his name, meanwhile, is the league’s joint-highest tally.

So clearly, both players are capable of making the decisive pass in the final third, but neither left Old Trafford with an assist. The Spaniard and the German started on the left flank and through the middle behind Olivier Giroud respectively, but drifted across the pitch in order to get on the ball to try and play it through United’s backline. Their Heat Maps above reflect that.

But they found it very difficult to split United’s defence. Cazorla failed to create a single chance. Ozil created two, but only one of them was in a threatening position. Moyes had his players defend deeply in the second half in order to protect their slim lead. They were tight in the centre, making playing through them an option that was out of the question on this day. In the end, Wenger’s key playmakers were forced to play passes out wide to set up crosses, as the charts above show. Right-back Bacary Sagna, who has a good delivery on him, was the main outlet here, attempting nine crosses in this game.

True to form, he whipped in some delicious ones from the right, completing 33.3% of them. Even some of the ones that failed to find a target were quite dangerous, literally needing only a touch to draw Arsenal level. There were indeed some very close calls as United lived very much on the edge. In fact, having dominated possession up to the point of the goal (51%), they fell behind in that regard right after that and never regained control as they concentrated on keeping Arsenal at bay. They ended the match with 44% possession as the Gunners threw everything at them.

But the likes of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, hugely impressive here, made some very key and impressive interceptions that ensured the victory. Even without defensive stalwart Nemanja Vidic, who failed to emerge for the second half after suffering a concussion in the first after ‘keeper David De Gea clattered him, United were visibly determined not to be breached.

Moyes’ tactics continue to prove cautious yet dangerous, but they worked here. They stifled Arsenal’s main creative weapons in Cazorla and Ozil, and ultimately got the victory. Looking at the bigger picture, however, these tactics won’t endear him to United fans who want to see him and their team show more guts in the face of their opponents rather than respect.

Even though these defensive tactics may earn priceless victories like this from time to time, Moyes must bear in mind the fact that what was acceptable at Everton may not be looked upon favorably at United, where the stakes are a lot higher. He has joined a huge club, but retains a reactive approach befitting a small club. In order to be successful at Old Trafford, he must be more positive, proactive. He must change his mindset.