‘United paid the price’ – Three things learnt from Arsenal 2-0 Manchester United

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In a crucial game for both sides’ Premier League hopes, Jose Mourinho resisted his urge to name a substantially weakened team ahead of the Europa League semi-final second leg clash against Celta Vigo on Thursday, with the likes of Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford still on the bench, with only one young debutant.

The absence of that key duo will still have given a boost for Arsenal, but in the first half it didn’t show. A tense affair saw United opt to sit back deep, almost playing six at the back at times, with Arsenal trying to find a way through a packed defcne.

In the second period, the luck came the Gunners way. Granit Xhaka took a pot shot from 25 yards only for Ander Herrera to turn his back on the shot, sending it ballooning over David de Gea and into the back of the United net to break the deadlock just before the hour mark.

It provided a spark into a dull affair up to that point, but it was Arsenal who capitalised again as the energy of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain proved too much for the Red Devils, with his cross finding the head of Danny Welbeck to double the home team’s lead.

United brought Rashford into the game and looked for a way back but were unsuccessful in their attempts, with Arsenal looking comfortable as they saw the game out in the final stages.

Manchester United finally paid the price for Jose Mourinho’s negativity 

After a 25 game unbeaten run in the Premier League broke the Manchester United club record last weekend, it came to an end in disappointing fashion as United failed to put up much of a fight at all at the Emirates up against Arsenal.

On several occasions in that run, the Red Devils were held to draws by the likes of Swansea, West Ham and Bournemouth and had failed to impress or warrant such a run of form, even if it did see them make no progress going from sixth to sixth.

On other occasions, the side were set up by Jose Mourinho with only one intention – to defend. Against the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City, the former Real Madrid boss has had no intentions other than to play for the point and go on the counter attack.

That was the case in London on Sunday and whilst the Portuguese manager can mask this defeat as having rested his key men as much as he likes, but that’s far from the case. His introduction of Marcus Rashford showed that he did not want to lose, and he had already lined up with several key figures, such as Ander Herrera, having threatened to rest them.

A team of under-performers turned up for Arsene Wenger

Far too often this season, the Gunners have failed to produce the goods when needed. The likes of Aaron Ramsey, Granit Xhaka and co. have been left on the receiving end of criticism after failing to live up to expectations when required.

Xhaka enjoyed his best moment to date in an Arsenal shirt when he changed the game with a speculative shot from distance which cannoned off the back of Ander Herrera and left David de Gea scrambling to try and claw it out of the back of the net.

The Gunners’ best performer on the day was undoubtedly Aaron Ramsey, who produced his best display of the campaign. Creative and exciting, Ramsey was unlucky not to be on the scoresheet and had several opportunities as he exploited the spaces left by the Manchester United defence.

Whilst Mesut Ozil may have been quiet and Alexis Sanchez blended in with the crowds, if the other nine players could perform like that every week then Arsenal would be in a far better position.

Arsenal will not give up the fight for fourth place that easily 

After defeat to Tottenham left Arsenal looking into the abyss of the Europa League if they managed to qualify for European football at all, the Gunners gave themselves refreshed hope of a top four finish thanks to Liverpool’s draw against Southampton.

By the time the Reds face West Ham next Sunday afternoon, Arsene Wenger’s team could be just one point behind them and only four behind Manchester City. Whilst Southampton, Stoke, and Everton will not prove easy opponents, the Gunners will now feel more confident after a win over United.

Their clash with Sunderland at the Emirates should be an easy win for Wenger’s team, but with the mental strength shown by this victory as they held firm in the face of pressure from United, they can believe that they will have enough to see off the more challenging trio and be ready if Liverpool slip up.

For Manchester United, it now looks like they will have to rely on Europa League victory to get them into Europe’s elite competition. Even if they win their game in hand on Liverpool, they will be two points behind and will crucially be behind Arsenal in the queue to leapfrog them if the Gunners can get a run of form going.

Featured Image: All rights reserved by Gareth Davis.