It's on occasions like Saturday evening when I really miss being able to be at the stadium. Manchester United are one of the teams I dislike the most (let's face it, who doesn't?), so I particularly look forward to their visit every season. And I felt it particularly badly in the build-up to Saturday's game. Even though the rivalry is nothing like it was around the turn of the century, there's something about matches against United that brings an extra frisson...
I suspect that the players have to be missing the crowds too. Because whilst this was one of the more interesting goalless draws I've seen, I feel that the presence of a crowd, driving the team(s) on, would have made a difference to the intensity. Yes, it's the Premier League and every point counts, but it's got to be a little surreal for the players; I can't see how they can ever get used to this.
And this match was like a fencing bout, as I've alluded to in the title of this blog. Lots of body blows, but the target just missed on numerous occasions by both sides, with continual shifts in momentum. But no fatal wound was landed, despite a total of 31 shots being recorded over the course of the 90 minutes.
Pre-match, and alongside the news that Kieran Tierney hadn't quite passed his fitness test, and Aubameyang was stuck in quarantine, came the shock news of the absence of Bukayo Saka with a slight hip injury. Obviously, this was going to make a big difference to the side, as Tierney and Saka have been Arsenal's best and most consistent players this season. Cedric kept his place at left back, and it was telling that Arteta turned to Martinelli as opposed to Willian for the left-sided attacking role. La-Di-Da Gunner Solksjaer reverted to a more conservative midfield with McTominay and Fred returning to the United line-up.
There was a sense of the players feeling each other out in the early stages, with the only action of note the petulant response of Bruno Fernandes to a nothing challenge from Cedric that got the defender booked, followed by a retaliation of sorts from United's prickly midfielder as he deliberately raked Xhaka's achilles - for me a yellow card at the very least, yet neither referee nor VAR chose to revisit it. United have had a number of players over the years that we've loved to hate (van Nistlerooy springs to mind immediately, obviously), and this guy has the capacity to plumb similar depths. According to the Sky commentators, however, he was merely 'expressing himself'(!).
Here's a gif - https://streamable.com/s83bdj, and below a still. I'm sorry, but this is unacceptable, and a bottle job by the officials. I think we know what would have happened had this been the other way round.
Anyway, we move on... to the 20th minute when Fred's dipping half-volley from the edge of the penalty area following a corner was brilliantly tipped away by Bernd Leno. For all the talk about Emi Martinez before the season started, I feel that Arteta made the right decision to cash in on the Argentinian at the peak of his value and stick with the German.
Soon after, only a last-ditch intervention from Martinelli prevented Rashford a clear shot at goal from a cute Pogba cross was followed by a swift Arsenal break led by the impressive Smith Rowe, who drove through the heart of the United midfield and fed Pepe, who attempted innumerable (maybe 5?) stepovers and then a low shot which went agonisingly wide of the left upright.
Then towards the end of the half - by which time McTominay, suffering with an upset tummy, had been replaced by Martial to put extra pressure on Arsenal's back line - Fernandes first turned Luiz in the box and curled the ball just wide, and then from a free kick (prior to which Rashford spurned a decent opportunity) the Portuguese's free kick was blocked by David Luiz, who celebrated like he'd scored a goal. United had certainly had the better of the first half.
Arteta made a change at half time, with Willian replacing Martinelli. Apparently, it was tactical, and I suppose it has to be said that Martinelli hadn't affected the game too much apart from that timely challenge on Rashford. And as it happens the real Willian finally showed up. He missed the decent opportunity almost immediately - not quite up to speed and dallied on the ball - but this was one of no less than 4 excellent opportunites that Arsenal had to take the lead
in the opening few minutes of the second half. I was out of my seat time and again! Willian then drove down the left and cut the ball back for Pepe, whose shot was blocked by the gigantic left boot of McGuire. Then, after Cavani missed a very good chance at the other end, Lacazette hit the bar with a free kick and ESR forced a smart save out of De Gea.
It settled down to cut and thrust once more after that, with decent chances for Rashford, Pepe and Cavani - of whom I was reminded how people used to say he needs too many chances to be regarded as a world-class finisher. But he does lead the line well.
The only other two incidents of note were a first appearance for Real Madid loanee Martin Odegaard, who looked neat and tidy in everything he did, and a Harry Kane-type foul - deliberately making a back for the opponent - by McGuire on Lacazette which could have led to serious injury for the Frenchman. Interestingly, Michael Oliver excelled himself again here by giving the free kick the other way.
Interesting to note, by the way, that Kane is going to have to spend several weeks on the sideline following another trademark 'making of the back' against Liverpool. Hoist by his own petard (that quote is originally from Shakespeare's Hamlet, but I recall it more fondly from when Florence also once said it to Zebedee)...
Other matters pertaining to this game. Firstly, Thomas Partey was not at his best, and gave the ball away a little too frequently for my liking. But there was one penetrating run reminiscent of Vieira to cheer us up. Secondly, Holding and (particularly) Luiz had excellent games at the heart of defence. Also, as I mentioned, this was Willian's best (half) game for Arsenal since Fulham on Gameday One, which hopefully bodes well for the future. And finally it strangely pleases me to note that Xhaka is playing his best ever football for the club at the moment.
So a point - and that was probably fair - against a side looking to challenge for the title is fine in my opinion. And the games come thick and fast still, with currently toothless Wolves (see what I did there?...) next on Tuesday, followed by Villa on Saturday. Injured players get no time to recover, and I'd expect to see some further rotation this week.
I'd also expect to see us above Tottenham in the table very soon, by the way. Which is highly amusing, seeing as they were top of the table (their fans prematurely celebrating that, of course) two months ago. I am beginning to suspect that we might be seeing the beginning of the trademark Mourinho Unravel, seeing as he's ostracised Dele Alli and Danny Rose all season, and in the space of a week fallen out with Aurier, Docherty and now Gareth Bale - and seen his talisman injured. Fingers crossed for another major public meltdown...
Stay safe, guys. Back Wednesday...
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