Result: Manchester United 0-1 Arsenal
Competition: Premier League
Date: 1 November 2020
Venue: Old Trafford
Arsenal: Leno, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney, Bellerin, Partey, Elneny, Saka, Willian, Lacazette, Aubameyang
Subs: Runarsson, Mustafi, Xhaka, Maitland-Niles, Ceballos, Pepe, Nketiah
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s second half penalty was enough to secure a 1-0 win for Arsenal at Manchester United; our first in the Premier League at Old Trafford since 2006.
From front to back, the Gunners produced a thoroughly disciplined performance, keeping the home side at arm’s length and working some neat opportunities in the final third.
It may have taken a goal from a set-piece to win it, but there’s no denying we deserved to take the points on an encouraging evening for Project Arteta.
Pre-game
Mikel Arteta made three changes from the side that started against Leicester last weekend. Rob Holding returned from a hamstring issue to take his place in the backline alongside Gabriel, Mohamed Elneny, rather than Granit Xhaka, partnered Thomas Partey in midfield and Willian was preferred over Dani Ceballos. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang started on the left with Lacazette once again leading the line. Having impressed in midweek against Dundalk, there was no room in the squad for Reiss Nelson or Joe Willock.
First Half
Mikel Arteta will have been very pleased with the way his players executed his game plan in the opening 20 minutes.
From the off, we were compact, aggressive and very quick to break up United’s possession. Partey and Gabriel both caught the eye winning challenges and sparking counters and Elneny popped the ball around trying to up the tempo.
Creating clear cut chances, something we’ve struggled with all season, still proved difficult. Saka had a shot blocked at close quarters on 10 minutes after some neat build-up involving Partey and Aubameyang. Six minutes later our captain came close to connecting with a Bellerin cross at the back post. The ball just escaped him.
At the other end, Greenwood forced Leno to save with his feet after he latched onto a fine ball by Rashford.
The game grew gradually scruffier and was increasingly pockmarked by fouls. Referee Mike Dean was itching to reach for his pocket and sure enough, Fred, Holding and Gabriel all went into the book in quick succession.
As the game edged closer to the break, we started to push forward again and created three very decent chances. Aubameyang nearly teed up Lacazette who swung a leg at a cutback but missed the ball completely. The replay let him off the hook as it showed Lindeloff just deflecting the ball out of his path.
Two minutes later, Willian clipped the bar with a left-foot effort from the edge of the box after stealing the ball deep and playing a neat one-two with Aubameyang. To cap a bright but frustrated spell, Saka headed over a Bellerin cross. The look on his face said everything. He should have done much better.
Second Half
United changed shape and came out with the bit between their teeth. Fernandes had a sighter deflected over and Wan Bissaka tried his luck to no avail.
In the 10 minutes that followed both sides traded fine chances to break the deadlock. Aubameyang curled just past De Gea’s post after Lacazette teed him up following a decent steal and drive forward. Then Maguire headed a Shaw set piece just wide after Bellerin had given away a cheap free-kick for a foul on Pogba.
After weathering United’s pressure, we started to take control again. Partey and Elneny both tried to beat De Gea from range. The Ghanaian forced a save, the Egyptian did not.
On 68 minutes a prolonged period of possession finally yielded a reward. After working the ball all over the pitch, Willian found Bellerin with a penetrating pass behind Shaw. As he reached the ball, Pogba clipped his ankles and Mike Dean pointed straight to the spot. It was a stone wall penalty. Aubameyang stepped up and put De Gea the wrong way. (1-0)
With so much riding on the game – both sides desperately needing three points to keep up with the race for the top four – the tension was palpable. Substitutions and fouls helped us stymy any United momentum as we started defending deeper and deeper. The presence of Aubameyang and substitute Nketiah, on for Lacazette, forced the home side to keep looking over their shoulder.
United kept pressing. Gabriel made a brilliant stop to deny Matic and Elneny came close to scoring an own goal when he deflected the ball into the face of Leno and off the post. A real let off. Arteta reacted by sending on Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Shkodran Mustafi for Willian and Aubameyang, who was booked for taking his time.
We did just enough to keep United at bay, our defence brilliantly soaking up everything thrown into the box. Wins at Old Trafford don’t come around too often, but when they do it’s usually by our favourite 1-0 scoreline. One to savour for sure.
Good news, first time in 14 years!
That was fucking excellent. United gave it everything but just couldn’t match up. Gabriel, Bellerin, Partey, Elneny all were GIANTS!
Tierney as well!
Not a putdown of Tierney, who I think is already a wonderful player, but every once in a while he shows his relative youth and inexperience at this level, getting dispossessed a little too easily. Another player who does this is Saka who, even so,is another of my favourites. A full season in the Prem, and each will be miles better.
I think people forget how old Tierney is sometimes, he’s the same age as AMN. To be playing with this level of consistency in high pressure situations is a real credit. Anyone can make mistakes, even Partey had untidy moments but I’d still have him as MotM just ahead of Elneny.
Nice performance.all hail party elneny partnership
When did he lose possession
What a colossus Gabriel is turning out to be for us. Definitely my motm.
Maybe we missed an Aouar against Leicester. But I’m so happy we signed Partey for this one! Absolutely majestic performance.
And God, did we deserve that? So proud of the boys. A defeat or a draw there and we are looking at 1 / 0 point from 4 big games. Although not perfect, this is so much better. What a performance. We owned them. We actually made them look very average.
COYG!!!!!!!!!
We might get aouar in june 🙂
I am sure that in June project would pivot to next level that we might not sign Aouar. We will go for even better player.
Alright there mate, one edgy penalty win vs man utd and you think we can get better than Aouar?
Isco is deemed surplus at Real Madrid. I don’t mind us going for Isco.
Szobozslai is as good, if not better IMO and he is cheaper. I think in terms of their Ceilings too Szobo has the greater potential. I really hope the rumour surrounding him are the truer.
I’m sure we can find someone with an easier name to pronounce.
Szoboszlai = So-bo-sly. Not as hard as we think.
I will go for Elneny
A game of few chances, but we took the one that mattered the most. Well done lads!
Elneny x Partey both MOTM for me Huge shout out to Gabriel and Holding even after they both got a yellow in the first half they kept their composure and saw out the game Saka is baller Laca WORKED HARD you could see a drastic drop in effort and pressing when Nketiah came on Nketiah doesn’t have the intensity to play at the highest level he was fresh and couldn’t press with any sort of intensity. And thats judos to LAca always running always working hard. Willian and Bellerin did well for the penalty as well as Tierney for his… Read more »
You have an uncanny resemblance to Laca!
Though it was against the team in 15th in the league…
And we were playing against Mike Dean too.
Dare I even utter the words, but I thought Mike Dean did ok today.
I had no idea that if the ball hits the referee he can bring the play back and award the ball to the attacking team. I liked that.
It’s the law now.
I think that was brought in last year.
😂Yeah, thats Mike Dean for you..when you are Arsenal, and you are unfortunate enuf to pull Mike Dean, in a big 6 match, that knowing he hates you, you dont take chances because you know the odds are against you mate…rmb, this a ref that forgot himself and celebrated a goal by Totteshit against us?😁…but seriously though, he did alright tonight in my opinion
Today showed he doesn’t . He’s a game man (probably admires Mikels spine, didn’t book Auba at a point earlier and didn’t even look at Gabriel’s second yellow call. He likes serious people) and Arsenal had made theirselves easy targets over the years for basically any bullies.
The new law is that he must do this, not “can.” And if it hits him and goes to a teammate of the passer but *creates* a scoring opportunity, he’s supposed to bring that back too.
He *must* award a drop ball if it results in a change of possession.
In fact our record with him in recent years hasn’t been too bad. Yes today he looked like a proper ref
I feel like he favours the aggressive team, which is why when we have pressed high and hunted down the opposition in games he’s been the ref, we’ve done OK, decisions-wise. The one that sticks in my mind is the 2-0 at home to Spurs where Mustafi and Alexis scored.
💯
He’s not there to be sympathetic with the latest 18 year old Arsene pulled out his hat nor the quality of competition they brought
Yes, but when Gabriel, already on a yellow, committed the foul late on (clearly a fould, but pretty clearly not a yellow) I was just dreading him going to his pocket.
He must be mellowing in his old age
Apart from stopping a Partey pass when we beat their press which could’ve created a 3 on 1 down their right, yeah Dean generally did OK. He gave us a penalty after all, wouldn’t have expected that from him.
A clinically blind ref with a frontal lobotomy woulda had to give that pen. Don’t give the King of All Cunts too much credit!
Excepting, of course, Maureen.
He must have died a little inside when he realized he had to point to the spot.
Holding definitely didn’t deserve the yellow card. Giving both the CBs yellow cards for silly fouls that early could have affected the game.
I had to downvote you for uttering the words… sorry mate!
And it took the man spotting Jersey number 14.
Elneny/Gabriel for MOTM for me.
Exactly this. Last time we won there Adebayor scored from a Fabregas thru ball. Let that sink in.
This is another win that should grant Arteta more patience with the fans. He’s been breaking records for us ever since he came on board. I was one of those who got frustrated after a 3 game run but looking back those games were against both Liverpool and City – the teams we aspire to be. Let’s back him for two seasons at least and see where we are then.
Just here to say a word for El-Neny, I thought he was our best player today with only Hector for competition. So pleased to see his reliability/consistency being rewarded.
Please, I beg of everyone, trust the man, trust the process, give Arteta and the boys your patience and support. We will rise to our former glory in this regime.
#COYG
He and Partey were outstanding, and has to be Elneny’s best performance for us. Driving us forward, crucial interventions, bravery. At this point he offers much more than Xhaka. And Partey just oozes quality. His pace is surprising as well.
How many times did Partey misplace a pass and then reclaim the ball in one fell swoop.
Guy has the double personality thing…Yaya Toure in attack and Michael Essien in defence.
And he’s pure elegance with everything he does. The way he covers ground in the middle is astonishing. It’s like he’s on 2x speed compared to everyone. And we can see his creativity and passing range is there once he gels with the team. 50 million was a steal for him, what a player!
Mo’Nenny and Partey… bring it on!
Exactly, because he only lost possession trying to pass forward through the lines. We need players willing to play a risky pass in order to get our link between midfield and attack going. He is really an elite midfielder, he dominated the center with El-Neny.
“Did I give you that ball? Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to. I’ll just take it back if you don’t mind.”
He doesn’t take 4 touches every time and crucially he’s so much more mobile than Xhaka.
Yep, it was a big call by Arteta to leave out both Xhaka and Dani, but Mo fully deserved his place and his performance backed it up. I would like to see this partnership as our 1st choice, it just feels balanced and allows Partey to drive forward with some security
He is better than Xhaka at the moment for sure, More mobile, can tackle better, better under pressure. His long passing is obviously inferior to Xhaka but the rest more than makes up for it
Gabriel’s long passing even makes that redundant. Hopefully, this is the beginning of the end (phasing-out) of Xhaka. I don’t mind him as a person, but he has never fitted this team in my opinion and I’d argue he doesn’t even fit the league. Be glad to see him get a nice few years in Serie A from next summer.
Xhaka’s fabled long passing, Tierney is a better passer seriously. I’m not hating on Xhaka, past that point now, but happy to see Elneny start
Agreed but that’s all he does and once or twice a match
I think that Partey just about edges it for me, but wow, what a performance from both CMs!
Thought Gabriel was class aswell.
Yes. Thought that Partey and Elneny were the real difference today. Outplayed their three midfielders, who I thought believed they would dominate.
For me Partey was too. The way he would just come out from the back, nutmeg united midfield during his run, being there for an interception, cross field balls…loved it all
Partey’s legs were everywhere! A midfield octopus
The midfield was amazing today. Pressing, distribution, moving the ball forward, energy.. just great to see it. Arteta has clearly improved the squad. We do lack creative quality but I think that’s his style – he would rather be Atletico than Barcelona.
I think that would be equally lovely.
If it helps us win more games against the big teams in the league, then am in.
I think that is a result of the squad and money available rather than Arteta’s style. We were seriously in for Aouar after all and now Szobosolai ( if that’s how to spell his name) is being linked. Either would be very welcome.
Interesting that Pepe didn’t get any minutes today, makes me wonder if he really has a future with us.
He was, a little bit, like Iniesta today
Elneniestinho
He was closing down Shaw at 94 minutes in and Shaw had to pass back to De Gea I think it was. I f*cking loved that. It’s like Gilberto’s injury time tackle on Ronaldo when we last won at Old Trafford.
I think it was Gabriel. He has been a tower.
And lots of carrying the ball forward and progressive passing. Might be a pretty good partner for Partey.
Arsenal still haven’t won against a top 6 side away 😉
Awesome job
Nonetheless, we won and kept a clean sheet away at a mid table team at a place where we have caused our own problems for 14 years
MASSIVE WIN! ElNeny was inspirational COYG!
Thomas Partey You BEAUTIFU BEAST!!!!!
An elegant beast at last, coincidentally the first win at manure since 2006 when the previous one had just left
Damn that’s very true
Elneny was absolutely outstanding!!
Don’t forget Gabriel
HUGE!
So so aggressive in that first half, coming over the halfway line and battering down their forwards to get the ball back was a sight to behold.
Despite how well he’s played lately, when I saw the lineups I was a little concerned that we would need Xhaka’s passing range more than Elneny’s consistency today. Man, what was I thinking? The Partey-Elneny duo has to be the #1 now, right? Elneny has played himself into the starting 11 recently, and power to him for it.
Elneny chasing Shaw to the half line in the 92′ minute. That little (huge!) piece of effort somehow got me all emotional.
First PL win at OT since ’06!
Tell me about.
The transformation is phenomenal. We had a really good player in there all along.
I noticed that, Shaw lost interest when he saw Elneny and let the ball run out of play…lacklustre Manure “Untied”
Big respect to Elneny. When I saw his name in the lineup I was dubious but given he was still busting a gut pressing in the 89th minute until United put it out of play was fantastic.
Mark my words, Thomas Partey will become the most important arsenal signing in recent years. COYG WHAT A WIN
Also fair play to Elneny who deserves to start ahead of Xhaka I think. Smart passing from him – he is slowly losing his brand of “safe” football, some really wonderful movement.
I think the crux of it is – if you are going to be a player as immobile as Xhaka, you need to be PHENOMENAL with your passing and positioning – think Xabi Alonso and Kroos. When we signed Xhaka I really thought he could become like that, but for whatever reason his passing is inconsistent and strange. Top performance from elneny today I was reaaally impressed, I want to see more of him. Never thought I’d say this, but he could really be something for us, if he’s given the chance and keeps this up.
I think Gabriel might give him a run for his money
We finally have an engine room!
I think Gabriel may become just as important. He was exceptional today.
Holy crap. They did. They actually DID it😍😍😍😍😍
Well done boys and a good game from Elneny
Gabriel and Thomas – we have a proper spine, oiii oiii! Still improvement to make but lovely to not feel like fodder away to the “bigger” clubs in the prem anymore.
And honourable mention to Elneny who was terrific today!
Can’t say that enough!
Totally agree on those 2 forming a strong spine. Just the top of spine is a bit branched. Not only Auba but Saka also will benefit from Auba moving to the middle, so Saka can play on that left.
That moment when Elneny is the only player on the pitch pressing and sprinting full speed.
That guy really did learn his football under the scorching sun of Egypt!!
92+ minute too! LOOL
And Turkey it seems. The man has lungs.
Let the Parteeeyyy Begin!!!!!!
Gabriel and Elneny superb.
One nil
Love it!
Boys put in a shift today, really well deserved.
Elneny was class, bossing it out there. Glimpses of great stuff from Partey too, I think his presence will be a boon for the team. And Gabriel is just an absolute monster!
COYG!
A result with a big phat ass, love it
LOLOLOLO!!!
😂😂😂
Mad metaphorical
Elneny / Gabriel MOTM
COYG!!!!! Huge performance, everyone deserves huge credit for that performance but huge credit especially to Partey, Elneny, Tierney and Gabriel. Absolutely immense.
And Bellerin.
Yup he was excellent as well, well back to his best.
It was possible coz of great MF and defense show. Partey was good as expected as well as Gab and Holding. But All hail to the king Elneny. I never thought he will be one of our best player.
I switched off the stream couldnt watch Auba miss penalty and switched it on at right time.
Finally some moment with the play. Gabriel, Tierney, Partey, ELNENY superb. Laca hold up play was good too watch as well. Need this week in week out, its a process , so happy for the win
You did too?! LOL!
I left my screen. Then came back to see it was 1 nil to the Arsenal. Just didn’t have the cojones to watch him take the penalty.
I was streaming in phone. So kept the phone aside and looked elsewhere.
Totally dominant 80 minutes. God knows what the last 10 minutes were about.
Solid all round performance can find no faults with any of them. I think at last we have found a dominant centre half in Gabriel. Only worry we need to score more goals.
Side note I think Solskjaer is the bendtner of football managers, talks a good game.
3 points, happy days.
🎵Partey after Partey after Partey after Partey🎶
#EndSARS
Partey in the elevator.
#EndSARS
More of the same please. First half I thought we were playing some very very good stuff without clear cut chances ans that’s because united had a 400 million pound worth of train parked.
Elneny was amazing, probably his best game for Arsenal.. Gabriel absolutely bossed it, one of the best 3 CB in the league for me..
Buzzing, absolutely buzzing..
Man I don’t want to get ahead of myself but really feels like we’re one season and a signing or two from putting together a real tittle winning squad
Sorry
At (long) last! Not a great game overall (only two shots on goal for each team), but who cares? We ground out an important away win – and we didn’t concede. Hopefully, we can build on this win now. Also, we did it with “No fan connection” (hint, hint, Mr A), so hopefully it won’t be mentioned again by the manager as a reason for under-par performances.
See my reply to your (and others’) post on Blogs’ previousArteta ‘positives’ article…
Your smug, misinformed condescension is so utterly misplaced toward the fella who will be (mark my words) the next managerial superstar.
Toddle down the Lane, oh Ye Of Little Faith!
Yes! Get in there. I hope Ole doesn’t lose his job. Well done gunners.
Best team performance of the season. Everyone on the pitch worked hard, and our attack was much more fluent. Auba spent a lot more time in their box, Willian linked-up much better, and if several players had taken their chances the score would have been more reflective of our performance. Quick thoughts: 1) Time to stop with the silly, reactive Arteta/Emery comparisons and the complaints about the team sheet before even seeing how the team actually sets up. Just stop and trust the manager who knows his players better than we do. 2) Elneny is the most underrated player on… Read more »
Your opening sentence sums it up really – the best “team” performance. Not attacking (although there wasn’t much of that from either team), or just trying to hold on for long periods either, but solid, intelligent, work with everyone together as a team. The trick for Arteta and the players will be to build on the win and keep that approach going in coming games so that we can get up the table.
Absolutely. The “tone” of our play was different even if we’re still struggling to score. The goals will come.
From Leno to Laca, everyone seemed to be playing with an extra level of confidence today. And that’s surely in large part thanks to Arteta.
Yes, that’s it. (Not sure how anyone could vote against my earlier post – I guess there’s always a member of the awkward squad around!).
It ain’t about your earlier post mate. And that’s the thing…
It aint about you.
It never was.
And your previous sentence sums up your special glass-half-empty attitude:
‘I think we may get a draw but a win, although fantastic, looks pretty unlikely.’
I repeat – ‘Oh ye of little faith’.
A good solid performance against a bang-average United side.
This was how we won the FA Cup last season: determined disciplined defending. But still not enough creativity for me. We still have a problem with the final ball: we didn’t create much and apart from the goal De Gea didn’t have anything to do.
Nice to get the monkey off our backs, but I still want to see more open expansive creative football.
Gabriel MOTM again. A great signing.
3 players were outstanding. Elneny, Parteyand Gabriel. Praise where it’s due to the manager, we were set up well and pressed very well, especially in the first half.
KT great too
He was very good, but I hope he starts playing forward passes to saka or whoever is making the run in LW. 3 or 4 times saka/auba would have been through but he chose to pass back. But great performance from the team. COYG!
I agree but maybe even more. Holding was really calm and strong and Bellerin, despite some bad early touches had multiple effect wing runs and crosses. Both were excellent.
Holding is a great, solid defender. Thou shall not pass. Great in the air, solid in a back three. We’ve won some cups because of his contributions. Will he be part of the path to a back four? Don’t know. Tonight, I don’t care. Extremely well played!
Bellerin too
One of my favourite performances, possibly ever. Everyone put in a massive shift. Man of the match for me was between Elneny and Gabriel (Partey honourable mention). Some excellent signings and while I’m still a bit wistful about not getting Aouar (yet), this team has potential to really kick on
It’s majestic how Partey and Gabriel both stick into the opposition. And Elneny, man!
PARTEY x ELNENY our starting midfielders going forward. Unless they’re injured or suspended its time for some consistency in team selection.
Holding, Gabriel, Partey and Mo were massive tonight
And KT
1-0 to The Arsenal. I’ll take it!
Nice to see the midfield playing with their heads up, looking forward, big change to recent weeks. Great to get the monkey off our back, great to beat united. Hopefully we will gain some confidence, and get a few wins on the bounce and make this season count.
Bellerin is looking dangerous again😎 we play a lot on the left but he is a sole outlet on the right flank. Elneny, team great showing!
That insane Elneny press at the end of the game halfway around the length of the pitch really won me over. He works extremely hard and is not mistake prone. Might be a really solid partner for Partey.
Now we just need to do the same against a top 6 team.
I don’t think I’ve ever loudly cheered the ball going out for a throw in before, but the pressure Elneny put on Lindelof(?) in the 93rd minute was exceptional. The fight from Arsenal was great. Outworked and outfought United.
Elneny MOTM. Gabriel close second
One nil to the Arsenal never felt better…….
You’re forgetting the Wiltooooord 1-0 at Old Trafford in 2002. That felt better, but tonight was good.
Two more things stood out other than what has already been obviously pointed out.
Gabriel and Holding played better after receiving yellows.
EL neny is not only really good at keeping possession when we are playing in our box but also in transitions. Ceballos and xhaka have their work cut out. Proper healthy competition. Feel for xhaka because his lack of athleticism isn’t his fault.
Good control of the game.
I’d play Dani in Willian position and see how he gets on further forward.
when we dont play xhaka… voila!
That’s more like it!
Top collective performance from the team – even Willian impressed me. Partey beginning to show his class. Have to say I still don’t approve of Mustafi playing, but that is a tiny criticism of a game plan from Arteta where we looked comfortable for the lions share of the game.
I can’t see many Arteta Out hashtags tonight!
Well done lads.
Musti is good in the air in the box and though he has a rick in him, it’s usually mitigated when there are lots of players around him and that was the case today. Still, can’t help but be nervous when he comes on.
The guy is a liability and the sooner we’re rid of him, the better.
Can’t see your usual Ozil in hashtag either….
It’s done and dusted. Over.
I’ve moved on. You haters clearly haven’t. Why am I not surprised…..
One of our best games in a while. Almost everybody played well. Especially liked Partey and Elneny. I really like AMN, but can sometimes understand why Arteta has reservations. Bearing in mind he had only been on a few minutes so must have been fresh, yet when he lost the ball high up the field, just jogged back rather than tearing into the Utd man.
Well spotted. We noticed that as well. My 8 year old was screaming at the telly: Run faster. You just came on!
That’s crazy man #goals
I thought the team put in a great effort today. Gabriel, Elneny and Partey were outstanding. Holding was very solid too. Still unsure about our forward line but can’t really be critical of the team today, except for putting us through the final 10 minutes, which were ridiculously nervewracking.
Best defensive record in the league so far. Keep it up.
If only we start scoring more goals, we can be a force.
True. We need both, but it would be great to see us in double figures for scoring – particularly with all the “potential” firepower we have on display. Hopefully, that will come soon.
I look at a performance like today’s, and I am reminded of why certain players can get into this team.
The work rate is phenomenal. What Arteta demands from EACH INDIVIDUAL player is clear to see.
He yells “LACA LACA LACA!” – Laca doesn’t react? He pulls him out for Eddie almost immediately.
He yells “WILLI WILLI WILLI!” -Willian doesn’t reach? He pulls him out for AMN almost immediately.
Elneny is my Man of the Match