Manchester United 2-1 Arsenal: 3 key battles that decided the game

#2 Paul Pogba vs Granit Xhaka

Paul Pogba was once again in the thick of it all

A season of mixed fortunes for Paul Pogba has turned significantly better since the turn of the new year with a series of commanding performances against big teams, and he once again came good with a lively performance.

Pogba usually thrives better in an attacking atmosphere with a three-man midfield, and that is precisely what he got. With Arsenal sitting back due to their lack of creativity, Pogba had all the freedom in the world to bomb forward and bomb forward he did.

He won possession and released Romelu Lukaku and then continued his forward run before tapping the ball into an empty net after Alexis Sanchez's attempt.

Granit Xhaka was handed the captain's armband for this fixture, considering how he was the most experienced of the lot, but the Swiss International was far from his best. Pogba got the better of him en route to his goal and was overall overwhelmed by the United midfield.

Pogba vs Xhaka - stats

Xhaka is a much better player in their usual squad, but he was eclipsed by some of the new youngsters brought in by Arsene Wenger on the night. How his future will turn out once Wenger leaves remains to be seen.