Three best and worst performers in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw at Manchester United

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Three Best

Ander Herrera

Herrera gave another all-action midfield display, and his introduction into the team has liberated Paul Pogba. In the modern game, midfield roles are often compartmentalized but the former Athletic Bilbao man is a throwback to the days of the complete ‘box-to-box’ midfielder. He has great energy levels, and was instrumental in an United unit that pressed Arsenal relentlessly in midfield and stopped them from counter attacking. Showed good vision to pick Mata out at the edge of the area for the opening goal. In past seasons Herrera’s role has been based on goalscoring and late runs into the penalty area, but with Pogba the most adventurous of the midfield trio he has to be more circumspect.

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Antonio Valencia

Due to the fact Valencia came to prominence as a right winger, there is still a tendency to consider him something of a weak link at right back. However, the Ecuadorian has developed into a pretty solid option from a defensive point of view. His pace and power gave Nacho Monreal all manner of difficulties, and United certainly focused most of their attacks down this side despite the fact Carl Jenkinson was at full back on the opposite flank. Mourinho might look to recruit a specialist for this position in the future, but Valencia is more than adequate currently. Could have won United a penalty when he burst past Monreal in the first period.

Shkodran Mustafi

The German international is yet to taste defeat in an Arsenal shirt, and was arguably the Gunners best performer at Old Trafford. Mustafi has had some shaky moments in recent weeks; misjudging a long ball at Sunderland in the build up to the Black Cats’ penalty and was given a bit of chasing by Heung Min Son in the north London Derby. However, the former Valencia defender gave a commanding performance at the back; Marcus Rashford struggled to get into the game. Mustafi enables Arsenal to play a higher line because he is more mobile the Per Mertesacker, but he showed today he can scrap in his own penalty area when required. A wonderful block to deny Rashford in the second, and his best two performances have come against United and Chelsea.