Whereas Arsenal might need come from behind as they snatched a 1-1 stalemate away at Manchester United on Sunday afternoon, Mikel Arteta’s facet watched their fading Premier League title desires take a closing blow.
Though probabilities might need come at an actual premium through the first-half, it was United skipper Bruno Fernandnes who opened the scoring seconds earlier than the interval as they Portuguese star transformed a controversial free-kick.
Whereas England worldwide Declan Rice might need swept residence within the closing quarter-hour, the Gunners will know that they have been lucky to depart Previous Trafford with a single level to point out for his or her troubles.
Together with pulling off a beautiful cease to disclaim Joshua Zirkzee, David Raya then produced a outstanding miraculous double cease to maintain out Fernandes within the closing moments.
Realizing that solely a win could be adequate to maintain any form of late title cost alive, Arsenal finish the weekend’s fixtures sat 15 factors adrift of runaway leaders Liverpool.
As for Manchester United, though the Crimson Devils would possibly take loads of positives away from Sunday’s efficiency, they’re nonetheless firmly caught within the bottom-half of the Premier League desk.
With the 2 historic rivals settling for a single level on Sunday afternoon, we’ve taken a have a look at the primary speaking factors from Previous Trafford.
Arsenal’s title desires are formally over
Getting Sunday’s journey to Previous Trafford underway chasing a outstanding 16-point deficit to runaway leaders Liverpool, Arsenal have been already conscious that they have been looking for a significant miracle within the race to assert a primary Premier League crown since 2004.
Dropping extra factors in opposition to their historic rivals right here, it’s honest to say that Arteta’s squad would have now accepted that their title desires are over for an additional yr.
Crashing out of the EFL Cup final month following a 4-0 combination defeat in opposition to Newcastle, Arteta clearly reduce a vastly annoyed determine through the post-match media duties.
Regardless of storming their solution to a sensational 7-1 romp away at Dutch outfit PSV earlier within the week as they put one foot within the Champions League quarter-finals, they’ve didn’t notched only a single win from any of their earlier 5 home appearances throughout all competitions.
Now firmly putting all of their eggs within the European basket, the Gunners will likely be bracing themselves for much more scrutiny over the approaching days.
United rue a missed alternative
Whereas Manchester United would possibly take a string of positives away from a largely spectacular efficiency on Sunday afternoon, there isn’t a doubt that Ruben Amorim’s camp will rue an actual missed alternative at Previous Trafford.
Regardless of feeling unlucky to not have claimed most factors right here, the previous Sporting Lisbon boss has seen his squad muster only a single win from any of their earlier six appearances throughout all competitions.
Coming beneath actual scrutiny earlier within the month as they watched their FA Cup journey come to an finish at residence in opposition to Fulham, United have additionally landed only a sole Premier League victory for the reason that finish of January.
Nonetheless sat in 14th-place and breaking a string of undesirable data this season, the English giants have additionally failed to seek out any form of defensive stability.
Together with their late collapse on Sunday afternoon, United have remarkably registered only a single clear sheet at Previous Trafford since a 4-0 romp in opposition to Everton on December 1st.
Attacking points proceed to harm the Gunners
Whereas Arsenal might need welcomed again Gabriel Martinelli forward of schedule this weekend, the Gunners have an actual attacking disaster on their arms in north London.
With attacking talisman Bukayo Saka not making a single look since present process hamstring surgical procedure over the festive interval, each Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus have been dominated out for the rest of the season.
Shockingly failing to usher in a brand new quantity 9 through the January switch window, the Gunners have actually failed to seek out a lot home fluidity within the closing third.
Regardless of storming their solution to that outstanding 7-1 romp away at PSV in midweek, Arsenal have didn’t notch greater than a single strike in 4 of their earlier 5 home appearances.
Match Report
Manchester United: Onana, de Ligt, Lindelof, Yoro, Mazraoui, Dalot, Fernandes, Casemiro, Garnacho, Eriksen, Zirkzee
Subs: Heaven, Collyer, Hojlund
Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Trossard, Nwaneri, Merino
Subs: Lewis-Skelly, Tierney, Martinelli
Targets: Manchester United: Fernandes (45+2’) – Arsenal: Rice (74’)
Yellow Playing cards: Trossard
Crimson Playing cards: N/A
Referee: Anthony Taylor