Manchester United 0-2 Arsenal: 5 Talking Points & Tactical Analysis

#2 Penalty decision goes against United; Arsenal ward off any late panic

Was it a foul?

Despite being a goal down for almost an hour, many would have still backed United to notch two goals in the final thirty minutes given their tendency to regularly come back triumphant from losing positions. However, a late onslaught from Arsenal ensured that they closed out the game safely.

An attacking move progressed without much turbulence from United’s defenders and within no time Lacazette was in a definite position to square a pass to a teammate inside the box. Fred went for a slight challenge and the French international fell down inside the box, earning a decisive penalty for his team.

On replays, it was clear that there was minimal contact between the two players but the striker had done enough to trick the referee into awarding a decision into his favour. Then, Aubameyang stepped up and sent de Gea the wrong way to double up Arsenal’s lead in the 69th minute of the game.

Beyond this, United made several attempts to create inroads and opportunities, by changing formations and attempting solo runs both diagonally and centrally as well.

However, the Gunners were professional enough to not panic after waves of incessant offensive pressure from their opposition and looked potent enough to score a third goal on certain occasions as well.

United’s players tried several ways to break Arsenal’s resistance but the home team seemed adamant to take all three points from an intensely fought fixture.