Matchups between Arsenal and Manchester United always tend to bring drama, and this latest installment in one of the Premier League’s longest-running rivalries did not disappoint.
A few fine goals, a second-half dispute over the video assistant referee (VAR) and Declan Rice’s winning goal in stoppage time all made for yet another memorable encounter.
Our experts analyze key issues.
Rice’s big moment
What a moment for Declan Rice. These were the moments he came to Arsenal and his first goal for the club could not have been better timed.
The sentiment displayed at the celebrations with the Northbank fans was exactly what he deserved in his first game in a red shirt. He has helped Arsenal’s ‘vitality’ throughout the game on many occasions and this was the best example of that even before he scored the winning goal.
He claimed three 50-50s in the first 20 minutes alone. The second goal was the most impressive as it set Arsenal up for their best chance of the game so far. From there, the host team became more confident in their play, with or without the ball.
The 24-year-old seemed to read exactly what the game needed. Whenever Manchester United looked like they had more promising passing time, if he stole the ball he would stop the match with a pass and help Arsenal reset. If he needed to move forward with the ball, he could do so without a problem.
It was understood that Granit Xhaka was heading to Bayer Leverkusen during the summer season. So there was one “thing” they had to replace. it is existence. There’s no doubt they’ve done it against Rice, who has made a difference in every game they’ve played.
Earl de Roche
But did VAR decide the match?
It’s become commonplace to look back on a match by discussing the major VAR decisions that have been made, and today was no exception.
Start with the big ones. Alejandro Garnacho thought he had won the game at the end of regular-time when he ran in front of goal and slipped the ball past Aaron Ramsdale. It was a close game, but Gabriel’s sudden stop was enough to catch Argentina offside.
At the beginning of the second half, Kai Havertz fell in the penalty area, and in real time it was thought that it would definitely be a penalty kick, but as a result of the VAR check, the German player kicked himself and fell down aiming for contact. found. A quick check on the monitor by Anthony Taylor quickly reversed the decision.
In the end, both decisions were correct, and in a match of this size, a close margin would determine the outcome of the match.
Mark Carey
This is why Rashford is perfect for left wing
Is Marcus Rashford better on the left or up front? The debate has been going on for years, but the forward quietly answered this summer in a conversation with Gary Neville.
The 25-year-old considers himself most comfortable on the left flank, but is happy to step up front (or right) to help his team if needed.
A 27th-minute goal for the Emirates was proof that he helps the team the most when he is in his best position. In a rare moment when space opened up in the middle of United’s midfield (due to a Kai Havertz error), Christian Eriksen handed the ball to Rashford in the left channel before the forward entered the box and shot down the right. Ta. corners of the hand.
It came from almost nothing (Rashford touched the ball just five times before scoring it) and it was his trademark finish. This underscores why Rashford excels on the left flank. Not only is he able to run dangerously into half-space with the ball, but he also has a better pressing angle from possession.
Ten Haag were frustrated by United’s ‘front and back’ pressure early in the season, partly because Rashford showed the same resilience when dealing with the ball at centre-forward. It was not.
Until Rasmus Hojlund is properly entrenched, Rashford remains the strongest of United’s front three, even after a rare waste of money in United’s 3-3 counter-attacking at the end of the game against the Emirates. remain a member.
Nonetheless, Ten Haag will keep him on the 4-2-3-1 left for as long as possible.
Karl Anka
Havertz is still out of luck
Mikel Arteta did what any good manager would do to protect his players when Kai Havertz’s mixed start at Arsenal came under pressure.
“I think he’s already done really well,” said Arteta after last week’s 2-2 draw with Fulham. “Today was difficult in certain moments. That’s what there is.”
As the story continues against Manchester United, it’s a little harder to defend Havertz when he’s not helping himself.
First, in the first half, there was a chance to connect the ball with the left foot, which is his specialty, from the remaining 7 yards, but he converted the chance with a gentle shot with a spin.
Compounding his lack of self-confidence, a sloppy pass into the central area saw Christian Eriksen break through up front and allow Marcus Rashford to play at the back to score Manchester United’s first goal. Ta.
Arsenal fans thought a second-half penalty would change his fortunes, but a VAR check ruled that the fall in the penalty area did not deserve a foul, and the decision was overturned.
Yes, Havertz takes care of himself. Sure, he’s covered some good Arsenal spaces. Sure, he has some strong off-ball runs that aren’t necessarily found by his teammates.
While some positives can be found, few would argue that Havertz has yet to shine in his Arsenal career since joining this summer.
Mark Carey
Onana changes United’s style
Manchester United’s story this season has been widely documented, but the arrival of Andre Onana has truly changed their approach to possession.
That was as clear as ever on Sunday afternoon, especially in the first half. Only Manchester City’s Ederson (41 against Burnley) made more pass attempts in the first half than Onana’s 36 against Arsenal.
As can be seen below, many of these passes were short and a fair amount were from forward starting positions beyond the penalty area.
Onana’s possession strength is a far cry from David De Gea’s lack of control over the ball last season. Arsenal therefore wisely allowed United to build up in deep areas and maintain structure outside of possession. Arteta’s men knew Onana had the technical caliber to play under pressure and pressed too hard to find backups to break Arsenal’s press and lead to United’s attack. was reluctant to do so.
This can be seen below, with 44% of United’s touches coming in their own third, the highest percentage in their four games so far this season.
It’s no surprise that United have taken this approach since Onana’s arrival, but future opponents would follow the blueprint set by Arsenal and fall into the trap of pressing Onana and losing the structure. You may want to avoid
Mark Carey
Arsenal returned to defensive form
Arsenal looked as usual with Gabriel Magalhaes and Oleksandr Zinchenko back in the back line.
Gabriel, who hasn’t started in a game yet this season, didn’t give much of a chance. He defended well against Anthony in the channel (helped by Declan Rice covering the space behind him) and helped Arsenal to keep the high line, even when the away side had the ball. In the early stages, the majority of the game was in Manchester United’s half.
Gabriel coming back with Zinchenko was more important than coming back without either of them. Zinchenko didn’t touch the ball in Martin Odegaard’s build-up to equalize, but it wouldn’t have happened without him. Leaving the traditional left-back position for most of the first half, the Ukrainian gave Gabriel time and space to carry the ball, which Gabriel Martinelli found when he went wide. After that, Arsenal just let football do the talking.
As a unit, the back four need to react more quickly to changes in play. Marcus Rashford’s first goal came from Arsenal’s right flank, requiring White and William Saliba to put more pressure up front. His goal means Arsenal have conceded from the first shot in seven league games in 2023, and the theme gives them a mountain to climb all too often.
Rasmus Hojlund gave Gabriel more to do in two minutes than Anthony Martial did in just over an hour, but the Brazilian stayed vigilant and used his body well. He was well positioned to protect the ball when needed and block from strikers when needed.
Alejandro Garnacho’s goal was ruled out for a minor offside in the 88th minute, giving Arsenal a big goal but overall an encouraging result.
Earl de Roche
Hodgeland’s highly anticipated cameo appearance
With 23 minutes, 10 touches and plenty of anticipation, Manchester United might finally land a proper striker in Rasmus Hojlund if a late cameo is anything to go by.
His attempt to sneak the ball over the line with his backheel hinted at his clever improvisation. The off-ball battle with Gabriel also gave United a much-needed physical edge. The Dane’s forward presence has given his team a much-needed focus, but unlike Wout Weghorst and Anthony Martial, he doesn’t just make long passes.
An off-the-ball run matched by Casemiro’s through ball in the 86th minute showed his ferocious speed, which ten Haag want to capitalize on if United are to become a great transitional team. I would think Martial has not been able to sprint properly since last season’s first-half performance in United’s 2-1 victory in the Manchester derby.
Jorjlund once again showed his skill with a hold-up play in a build-up to Alejandro Garnacho’s offside ‘winner’. He needs to succeed this season if Ten Haag’s team is to achieve its ambitions. It was a promising start, despite a late goal that ultimately sank the team.
Karl Anka
(Top photo: Glyn Kirk/AFP via Getty Images)
