Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal: 5 Talking Points and Tactical Analysis | Premier League 2019/20

Arsenal and Manchester United played out an engaging 1-1 stalemate at Old Trafford on Monday evening.

The game started off sluggishly with both teams unwilling to display attacking adventure. Subsequently, chances were at a premium in the opening 45 minutes.

However, just before the teams went into the tunnel, Scott McTominay produced a moment of magic to nudge the hosts ahead.

The Scottish international made the net bulge from outside the box as the Red Devils headed into the break with a one-goal cushion.

After the restart, Arsenal looked reinvigorated and started turning the screw. Their endeavours were rewarded in the 58th minute when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang capitalised on a loose ball to punish the home side.

Though both teams had chances to pop up with the decisive goal in the final quarter of the game, none managed to do so, meaning that they shared the spoils.

Here is a look at the talking points from the game:

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#5 Scott McTominay provides the aberration in an underwhelming first half

McTominay (R) sensationally put United ahead

The encounter at Old Trafford pitted a side accused of lacking an offensive edge against a team guilty of keeping the back door open, far too often. Unsurprisingly, both sought to iron out their flaws and it ultimately led to a half where the outfits cancelled each other out.

The visitors were willing to allow Manchester United possession in their own half and only applied pressure when the hosts ventured further forward.

Thus, akin to many a home game this term, the hosts enjoyed an awful lot of the ball without ever carving the opposition open.

Arsenal, meanwhile, were content to sit deep and then hit the home side on the break.

Consequently, both sides’ tactics rid the game of the entertainment many felt it was primed to provide.

Moreover, constant fouls and free-kicks meant that a head of steam was never generated throughout the opening 45 minutes.

However, in the final stretch of the period, the game suddenly went through the gears with a string of chances for both sides.

David De Gea was on hand to parry away Bukayo Saka’s initial effort before the Spaniard recovered to block Matteo Guendouzi’s effort.

From the resulting corner, Arsenal pushed several men forward, hoping to nick a goal before the break.

Yet, the visitors were stung by the proverbial sucker punch when United counter-attacked at speed and fashioned themselves an opportunity.

Marcus Rashford found Scott McTominay on the edge of the box and the Scottish international unleashed a rasping drive into the roof of the net, leaving Bernd Leno rooted to his spot.

Unfortunately, from a neutral perspective though, apart from the goal, the first half failed to provide any of the glitz and glamour the fixture has conjured over the years.

And, though the wait for goalmouth action was ended rather emphatically by McTominay, the period wouldn’t etch itself into Manchester United versus Arsenal’s illustrious folklore.

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#4 Axel Tuanzebe’s Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde performance

Tuanzebe was at fault for Arsenal's goal

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer decided to entrust Axel Tuanzebe with full-back duties under the gleaming lights of Old Trafford when Arsenal came calling.

The Englishman, who captained the Red Devils against Rochdale, has long been earmarked as a defender capable of distinguishing himself in the Premier League.

And, the full-back started promisingly too as he kept the lively Nicolas Pepe quiet throughout the first half. Additionally, the former looked calm in possession and played out of the back adroitly.

However, after the break, Tuanzebe showcased a raw facet to his game, an aspect which eventually ended up costing his team a couple of points.

In the 58th minute, a moment of hesitation invited Aubameyang into the penalty area. Unsurprisingly, the Gabonese tucked away his chance with aplomb to restore parity for the Gunners.

Thereafter, Tuanzebe seemed indecisive on numerous occasions and Arsenal started targeting the youngster. Numerous attacks flowed down his flank and most of the visitors’ bright patches involved the Englishman being run around.

Thus, through the course of the game, the defender had highlighted the potential he boasts to develop into a top-drawer player while also portraying that he still needs a bit more experience to evolve completely.

And, while time isn’t a luxury accorded to most footballers, Manchester United certainly have something to work with, especially considering their vision of developing players from within.

#3 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang does just enough to be Arsenal’s saviour, again

Aubameyang was Arsenal's saviour again

Over the past couple of seasons, Arsenal have dug themselves quite a few almighty holes and they haven’t always been able to crawl out of it. However, on the occasions when they’ve succeeded, they’ve largely had Alexandre Lacazette and Aubameyang to thank.

Though the Gunners weren’t able to call upon the Frenchman, they had the Gabonese to rely upon and luckily, the latter didn’t disappoint.

Aubameyang was on the periphery for the majority of the game courtesy the visitors’ inability to launch the ball forward swiftly. Consequently, the striker was feeding off scraps with his brightest moments coming when Arsenal broke at pace.

However, when the clock ticked towards the hour mark, the Gabonese burst into life after sensing an opportunity.

Tuanzebe’s wayward pass enabled Saka to play Aubameyang through and the striker deliciously dinked the ball beyond an advancing De Gea.

Yet, even after a goal in his bag, the former Borussia Dortmund player failed to trouble the United rear-guard as much as Unai Emery would’ve hoped.

Moreover, the performance on Monday signified Lacazette’s importance to the side. Though the Frenchman isn’t as prolific as his strike partner, he certainly links up play better and brings others into play, meaning that the Gunners pose a much more potent threat.

And, while the debate of whether Aubameyang playing through the middle or alongside Lacazette is better left for another day, Arsenal were lucky that the Gabonese did just enough when the opportunity presented itself.

Else, another night at Old Trafford could’ve gone terribly pear-shaped for the Gunners, like many a time before.

#2 Surprise, surprise! VAR is in the Premier League spotlight!

VAR was in the spotlight at Old Trafford

Apart from the countless transfer sagas that dominated the off-season, there was another narrative that plenty of fans were intrigued by. The 2019-20 term marked the arrival of the much-maligned system aka VAR to the Premier League and subsequently, it caused quite a buzz.

However, with each progressing game, that positive excitement has turned into furore, especially with VAR adding another dimension to the game, an element that several felt wasn’t quite needed.

Despite the season being in its formative stages, there have been instances where the system has found itself in the eye of the storm, often harshly.

And, Monday represented another such scenario.

After Saka fed Aubameyang, the linesman instantly raised his flag, despite assistant referees being asked to refrain from doing so. With VAR, they’ve been given the license to let the move develop and overlook marginal calls, which could be rectified after numerous views by a set of referees hundred miles down the road.

But, in stark contrast to those instructions, the assistant referee immediately flagged for offside, thus, suggesting that the decision was pretty easy to make.

As it turned out, the Gabonese was at least a couple of yards onside as Harry Maguire tried to rush out.

However, fortunately for the footballing fraternity, better sense prevailed as Kevin Friend took VAR’s assistance and overruled the dubious call.

And, while United might complain that they’d been distracted by the flag, there was certainly no doubt that the right decision was arrived at, albeit courtesy an elongated path.

Ironically though, the VAR would again be splashed across all the back pages in England, despite fulfilling the purpose it was installed for.

After all, VAR and the Premier League is a love story the world has gotten but probably one it didn’t ask for.

#1 Is mediocrity becoming the norm at Arsenal and Manchester United?

Solskjaer and Emery have plenty of questions to answer

Throughout the Premier League’s fabled history, Arsenal and Manchester United have dipped into several intense encounters, with most being fought with the ultimate prize at stake.

However, the game on Monday represented a battle between two fallen giants, where one has been fervently searching for an identity in a rather futile manner, while the other has failed to establish a distinguishing trait altogether.

And, that is exactly what transpired at Old Trafford too.

Manchester United, despite enjoying long spells of possession, were unable to find the attacking verve they’ve been craving, meaning that they unfurled a pattern that has reared its ugly head quite frequently.

A trend that has seen the Red Devils score more than once only against Chelsea and one that is threatening to derail everything Solskjaer has claimed to ever stand for.

Thus, at this juncture, United find themselves at a crossroad. While the Norwegian initially seemed to inject a stuttering outfit with a bit of impetus, that effervescence has slowly but surely fizzled out since.

And, one reckons that that might not be what the Old Trafford unit signed up for, when it handed the reins to one of their own, hoping for a rendition of the club’s famous offensive instincts.

However, if it’s any solace, they aren’t the only fallen giant looking for ideas to resurrect its poor state of affairs.

Akin to the Red Devils, Arsenal have also struggled in the post-Arsene Wenger era, thereby contributing to a feeling that the Gunners haven’t really traversed forward.

Though Emery has impressed in patches, he has failed to create a game-plan which might suit Arsenal under most circumstances. And, his reputation as a tactical chameleon hasn’t particularly helped him in that regard.

Like his predecessor, the Spaniard has gotten his charges scoring freely. But, the defensive solidity that many expected him to bring along, has been found wanting, despite them shipping only one at Old Trafford, for a change.

Consequently, the clamours for Emery’s head have started gaining a hint of voice over the past few weeks, albeit slightly prematurely.

Yet, it is quite hard to argue against any of the criticisms being aimed at the Spaniard, in light of what a club of Arsenal’s stature demands, more so after the summer spending spree they embarked on.

More alarmingly though, there doesn’t seem to be a proper upward curve chalked out for the Gunners or for that matter, Manchester United.

And, inevitably, one can’t resist the temptation of asking the question of whether England’s superpowers are consigned to mediocrity, at least for the time being.