From the way they pressed to how they sat back to protect the lead, Arsenal deserved Sunday’s 1-0 win that came from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s 69th minute penalty. Paul Pogba’s error--the Frenchman conceding a penalty for the second time this Premiership season--led to United’s defeat but given how lackadaisical they were, a mistake rather than them turning the corner looked more likely.
Thomas Partey has been such a big signing that former United captain Roy Keane compared him to Patrick Vieira on Sky Sports. Partey won 10 duels, the most by an Arsenal player in the league this term, completed three dribbles and had one shot on target. More than able assistance came from Mohammed Elneny and the two blunted United’s midfield diamond that fetched a 5-0 win against RB Leipzig last Wednesday.
All this contributed to Arsenal winning against a “big six” team for the first time in 30 games in the league. The stain the Gunners erased at Old Trafford stretched from January 2015 when they beat Manchester City 2-0 away. Their record at United was even more abysmal. They hadn’t won on this side of Manchester since September 2006 when Emmanuel Adebayor scored off a Cesc Farbrgas pass. Gary Neville was then United captain.
“It’s a very big win. We knew since the beginning we have to trust the process, Mikel is bringing something very nice,” said Aubameyang.
0 Comments