Report: Man Utd 1-1 Arsenal

Arsenal: Ospina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Ramsey, Ozil, Alexis, Giroud

Subs: Szczesny, Gibbs, Gabriel, Flamini, Rosicky, Wilshere, Walcott

Arsenal secured a vital point in the race for third place as they came from behind to draw 1-1 with Manchester United at Old Trafford. Ander Herrera gave the home side the lead with a volleyed finish in the first half before Tyler Blackett deflected Theo Walcott’s cross into his own net with eight minutes remaining. The result means the Gunners need just a point from next week’s final matches against Sunderland and West Brom to avoid a Champions League qualifier in August.

Pre-game

Seeking a first league win against Manchester United in seven attempts Arsene Wenger selected an unchanged lineup for the sixth game in a row; the first time the Gunners had experienced such starting XI stability since a run of George Graham games between December 1993 to January 1994 (stat courtesy of @Orbinho).

First half

After Monday’s defeat it was imperative that Arsenal started brightly. The aim was obviously to steal the ball in midfield, exchange quick passes and get runners beyond the United defence. That was the theory, but in reality we huffed and puffed and actually did very little.

Up front Giroud pressed United’s centre-backs aggressively and did his best to hold the ball up but he lacked support. Were it not for an unorthodox bit of defending from Phil Jones, who headed the ball against the Frenchman while slipping to the floor, he’d have had a clear one-on-one with David De Gea. The steak-faced Jones came close to further embarrassment a couple of minutes later when he nearly caught out his keeper with a rushed back pass. The ball was panicked clear of danger.

For all the Gunners bluster we never really looked like breaking the deadlock. On 29 minutes United accepted the opportunity to do exactly that. As was the case on Monday it was a goal conceded from a ball to the back post. Ashley Young, who’d been a constant thorn in Bellerin’s side, nipped to the byline where Ander Herrera slotted home on the volley at Ospina’s near post. (1-0)

The goal buoyed United who continued to dominate in midfield. By cutting the supply line from the out-of-sorts Cazorla they isolated Ozil and Sanchez and forced the Gunners to play long, hopeful balls from the back. It’s a tactic that only works if you compete for both the first ball and the second. We barely challenged for either and consequently we produced little of merit in the final third. In fact we didn’t register a single shot on target in the opening 45 minutes.

At the other end a run and cross from Mata nearly found Falcao, who resorted to pushing Koscielny on the goal line before a clever free-kick saw Blind’s shot blocked by his own teammate Smalling.

Second half

Arsenal stepped things up in the opening stages of the second half. Bellerin and Monreal provided more support on the flanks and Ramsey started to stretch his legs.

The chances followed. Sanchez slashed over on the volley after a fine knock down by Giroud. The French striker then couldn’t get purchase on an effort of his own after cleverly rolling Smalling. Cazorla hurried a volley that bounced harmlessly into the arms of De Gea before Rojo twice denied Ramsey with fantastic defending.

A double substitution saw Wilshere and Walcott come on for Cazorla and Bellerin. In the absence of the latter Francis Coquelin filled in at right-back. In the same break in play Tyler Blackett replaced Rojo before keeper Victor Valdes came on for the injured De Gea.

The substitutions worked in Arsenal’s favour. After a couple of failed runs Walcott finally used his pace to great and decisive effect. The England winger darted past Tyler Blackett, shaped to cross and hammered a low ball that deflected off the defender and looped over the stranded Valdes into the far side of the net. (1-1)

Giroud had two opportunities to grab a winner in the minutes after the equaliser. First he hit the side netting from close range then he was crowded off the ball after taking down a fine Ramsey pass inside the box.

Happy to take a point Wenger threw on Flamini for Alexis as the game entered five minutes of uneventful stoppage time. Our first point at Old Trafford in six years means we’re up to 71 points and puts us in pole position to finish third. Not too shabby.