Arsenal removed a large monkey from their backs as they won in the Premier League at Old Trafford for the first time in 14 years - when, you may recall, a late goal from (the much-loved) Emmanuel Adebayor earned The Gunners the spoils - and thereby took three points from a so-called Big Six club for the first time in 29 attempts. I say 'so-called' because United looked anything like a top team throughout the entire match.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's expertly-taken penalty - Pogba's tackle on Bellerin meaning that even (the much-loved) Mike Dean had no choice but to point to the spot - was the difference between the two sides. Well, that was the statistical case; but I think that it's fair to say that Arsenal dominated the game on every single level almost from start to finish.
The last couple of Premier League games have been frustrating, in that they ended as narrow defeats when there were opportunities to be more decisive in certain situations and perhaps pick up some points. But here - despite the narrowness of the scoreline - there can be no doubt who were the better coached, motivated and dynamic set of players on the pitch. Mikel Arteta and his team were superior to Manchester United in every single measurable way.
To be honest, I was concerned before the game. Arsenal were coming off two rather pedestrian performances in those losses at Manchester City and home to Leicester, and United were coming off a thumping 5-1 Champions League victory in midweek. But I soon started to relax, as the visitors began to dominate from the start.
The selection of Mohammed Elneny had raised a few eyebrows, but he had a really good game, never stopped running and his partnership with Partey dominated the poorly-constructed United midfield. And I think that we all saw from very early on yesterday why Arsenal signed Partey, as he immediately looked to me - as has been since discussed by every pundit I've read and listened to since - like we were watching Patrick Vieira again. Roy Keane, who let's face it should know, made that very comparision. I was hoping to make that point in isolation, but it now looks like I'm jumping on the back of a very long bandwagon :(
I listened to (comedian and massive Gooner) Alan Davies' interview with Arsene Wenger over the past week, and when discussing Vieira Wenger had said that he a) was never afraid to receive the ball, no matter how much coverage he was in, b) read the game superbly and was always up for the fight and c) always looked to play the ball forward. And that's precisely what we saw from Partey yesterday. I am very excited by what he can bring to the side over the next months and years, and I suppose that it's up to Arteta now to see how he puts the pieces of the jigsaw in front of Partey together to get the side making more chances and scoring more goals. We are lucky to have him; every team in the division needs him (one can almost start to wonder if Arteta could fit Ozil back in the side now?).
There are those - Gary Lineker included, I note - who described the game as dull. But for me it was like a game of chess, with Arsenal always seemingly a move in front. I really enjoyed it - right up to the last 15 minutes, which felt very, very long...
On the whole, it is difficult to find an Arsenal player who didn't have at least a half-decent game. Rob Holding, back in the side after injury, put in an assured performance alongside the formidable Gabriel, and Tierney and Bellerin got at least 7.5 out of 10 for their efforts. Central midfield worked well, as I've mentioned, and both Saka (who could/should have done better with a first half header) and Willian (who hit the bar following a 1-2 with Auba and perhaps also should have hit the target) both contributing well. Auba still looks a little isolated out on the left, but is a major threat when he moves infield, and Lacazette's contribution should not be under-estimated as he worked tirelessly (well, that's not actually fair, as he did tire midway through the second half as usual, to be replaced by Nketiah) as the first line of pressing/defence. A game plan well-constructed, and well-executed.
I will reiterate something I've said before; that - and especially away from home - the lack of a crowd helps Arsenal. Arteta is constantly barking instructions (in several languages) and it really helps the system. However, I must also add that in many ways this crowd-less football leaves me cold. I personally can't stand the artificial crowd noise, and am always on Sky Channel 402 instead of 401, but I badly miss the real atmosphere; actually being at the ground. It makes me sad that we're missing out.
As for United.. well, I frankly don't care but they're in a mess. Trying to shoehorn Pogba and Fernandes into the side is looking difficult (perhaps Greenwood should drop out and they go back to a 4-4-2?) but once more Ole's not looking too safe at the wheel. Here are two managers on entirely different career paths:
So Liverpool are once more top of the table, following another Salah 'dive' controversy. I detest it when forwards look to initiate contact or blatantly over-react to the slightest touch. And unfortunately Spurs won again, and have gone second in the table. Two points to make here: 1) Kane once more (like Salah) was 'clever' in winning his side a penalty; looking to 'make a back' for his opponent by backing in but not jumping should also be outlawed in my opinion; and 2) don't worry - it's Spurs, and we're only a point behind them in any case.
And so to next weekend and a PPV game at home to Aston Villa. Let's hope that they continue to leak the goals that they have started to leak. But before then on Thursday there's a Europa League game at home to Solskjaer's old club, Molde, when we can certainly expect to see a much-rotated team.
OK. Stay safe and well locked down and snuggled up, please. COYG.
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