Whereas Arsenal may 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 remaining blow.
Though probabilities may need come at an actual premium throughout 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Rice may need swept house within the remaining quarter-hour, the Gunners will know that they have been lucky to depart Outdated Trafford with a single level to indicate for his or her troubles.
Together with pulling off an exquisite cease to disclaim Joshua Zirkzee, David Raya then produced a outstanding miraculous double cease to maintain out Fernandes within the remaining moments.
Understanding that solely a win can be adequate to maintain any type 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 Pink Devils may 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settling for a single level on Sunday afternoon, now we have taken a have a look at the primary speaking factors from Outdated Trafford.
Arsenal’s title desires are formally over
Getting Sunday’s journey to Outdated Trafford underway chasing a outstanding 16-point deficit to runaway leaders Liverpool, Arsenal have been already conscious that they have been looking for a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 say a primary Premier League crown since 2004.
Dropping extra factors towards their historic rivals right here, it’s truthful to say that Arteta’s squad would have now accepted that their title desires are over for one more 12 months.
Crashing out of the EFL Cup final month following a 4-0 mixture defeat towards Newcastle, Arteta clearly minimize a massively annoyed determine throughout the post-match media duties.
Regardless of storming their strategy 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 inserting all of their eggs within the European basket, the Gunners might be bracing themselves for much more scrutiny over the approaching days.
United rue a missed alternative
Whereas Manchester United may take a string of positives away from a largely spectacular efficiency on Sunday afternoon, there is no such thing as a doubt that Ruben Amorim’s camp will rue an actual missed alternative at Outdated 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 underneath actual scrutiny earlier within the month as they watched their FA Cup journey come to an finish at house towards Fulham, United have additionally landed only a sole Premier League victory because the 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 type of defensive stability.
Together with their late collapse on Sunday afternoon, United have remarkably registered only a single clear sheet at Outdated Trafford since a 4-0 romp towards Everton on December 1st.
Attacking points proceed to harm the Gunners
Whereas Arsenal may need welcomed again Gabriel Martinelli forward of schedule this weekend, the Gunners have an actual attacking disaster on their fingers 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 throughout the January switch window, the Gunners have definitely failed to seek out a lot home fluidity within the remaining third.
Regardless of storming their strategy 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
Objectives: Manchester United: Fernandes (45+2’) – Arsenal: Rice (74’)
Yellow Playing cards: Trossard
Pink Playing cards: N/A
Referee: Anthony Taylor