After a good first half performance against Chelsea, Arsenal were able to stretch that performance a further 45 minutes. This was easily one of Arsenal’s best overall performances of the season and a great way to start off 2020 and leave poor 2019 behind.
Arsenal 2-0 Manchester United: By the graphs
Running xG
xG Shot Map
Shot Placement xG
Simulated Match Result
Arsenal 2-0 Manchester United: By the numbers
9 – Passes into the box completed by Arsenal in the first half
0 – Passes into the box completed by Manchester United in the first half
61 – Passes completed in the final third by Arsenal in the first half
31 – Passes completed in the final third by Manchester United in the first half
7 – Shots for Arsenal in the first half
2 – Shots for Manchester United in the first half
2 – Big chances for Arsenal in the first half for Arsenal
1 – Big chance for Arsenal in the first half for Manchester United
1.5 – Expected goals for Arsenal in the first half
0.33 – Expected goals for Manchester United in the first half
The trend of a dominating first half that we saw start against Chelsea continued against Manchester United. This was even better as the domination lasted the entire 45 minutes and during that period Arsenal were able to turn that control into a 2 goal lead that made the second half much more comfortable, even with the fitness levels not allowing for the same intensity.
Nicolas Pépé rewards starting chance with a man of the match performance
2 – Shots, 2nd on Arsenal
0.55 – Expected goals, 2nd among all players (Sokratis with his goal and one shot had the highest overall total)
4 – Shots assisted, led all players including 3 from open play
100% – Pass completion percentage (26 of 26 attempted)
9 – Final third passes completed, 4th on Arsenal (of 9 attempted)
4 – Passes into the box completed, 2nd on Arsenal
2 – Crosses completed, led all players (of 2 attempted)
4 – Successful Dribbles, led Arsenal (of 7 attempted)
1 – Tackle (of 3 attempted)
1 – Interception
1 – Blocked Pass
6 – Ball recoveries
2 – Aerial duels won (of 3 attempted
When Arsenal broke their transfer record to sign Nicolas Pépé, this was the type of performances that they imagined that they would be getting. After starting the first two matches from the bench for Mikel Arteta, Pépé responded to the chance to start with his best overall performance for Arsenal. It was a positive sign and a continuation of the performances that he had put in during his cameo performances, especially against Bournemouth. There was concern that he didn’t start right away under Arteta but hopefully this kind of performance can settle some of those worries.
Granit Xhaka continues to be a key player for Arteta
51 – Passes completed, 3rd most on Arsenal
11 – Final third passes completed, 2nd on Arsenal
6 – Long passes completed, 2nd on Arsenal (of 7 attempted)
9 – Ball recoveries, 2nd on Arsenal
3 – Tackles, tied for most
2 – Interceptions, 2nd on Arsenal
2 – Blocked Passes
He might not have had the flashiest of numbers, but this was another very good performance overall from Granit Xhaka. He helped set the tone and pace for Arsenal’s attack with has passing. He partnered well with Lucas Torreira to shield the back line and keep Manchester United away from the Arsenal defense. He has looked really good in the system and tactics that Arteta has implemented, with his strengths maximized while his weaknesses are given cover by other players. I know that he wants to leave but it would be unfortunate to see him go after the recovery that his play has shown over this short stint of playing.
@oh_that_crab
Sources: Opta via whoscored, StatsZone and my own database
A fantastic result and performance last night.
Terrible shame about Chambers though.
We will definately need to buy a centre back this month…
Genuine gutted for him.
Bit torn about igning a new centre back be ause I see C ham ers, Holding ( and Saliba) as our long-term cbs, but I quite understand the short term necessity.
Get well soon Chambers you beautiful chap.
Is recalling Saliba an option or no?
We still have Holding, Sokratis, Luiz, Mustafi. I know it isn’t great but with Saliba coming in the summer and Chambers out 6-9 months. I can’t see us signing a profile CB this break.
It’s a question of whether you think Arteta can work his magic on Mustafi, though imo evidence suggests he’s too far gone for a transformation. If not, 2 fit CBs and one recovering from injury (plus the massively out of practice Mavropanos) isn’t enough if we’re serious about getting a Champions’ League spot again.
Maybe a loan, unless we buy and hope that Mustafi actually will leave in the summer.
“2 – Big chances for Arsenal in the first half for Arsenal
1 – Big chance for Arsenal in the first half for Manchester United”
Typos?
I would be quite interested to see the stats for fouls against us. In the last two matches I feel like we’ve had far more than normal, would be interested to see if that’s true. A symptom of playing well I suppose.
Interestingly it’s not as clear cut as I would have imagined. The last 3 matches have been arsenal’s 6, 2, and 10th most fouled matches this season.
Number 1 was against Manchester City and the other one tied for second was vs Southampton.
Arsenal were fouled 12.8 times per match under Emery. 13.2 under Ljungberg and so far have been fouled 15.7 times under Arteta.
Thanks for all that Scott! The last set of stats looks pretty clear cut to me. Significant percentage increase in fouls per game against us.
And yet against Man Ure we got the only yellow cards of the match.
Arteta seems to be able to find solutions that Emery could not.
I am starting to believe that he can make a structure in any way he wants to mask deficiencies and enhance strengths, based on any situation with the squad.
I don’t recall Pepe having a 100% pass rate. Just saying.
He had some misplaced first touches that may have looked like a pass ?
2 – Big chances for Arsenal in the first half for Arsenal
1 – Big chance for Arsenal in the first half for Manchester United
===
What?
Probably Maguire’s header
Rashford’s shot in the first min?