Arsenal turned a Mikel Arteta tactical masterclass into a 1-0 win away at Old Trafford on Sunday, ending a run of 29 consecutive matches without a win away against big six competition. Arteta set up his team brilliantly in a hybrid 3-4-3, with midfield duo Mohammed Elneny and Thomas Partey particularly impressing in a dominant performance over their bitter rivals in red. Arsenal was on the front foot from the opening whistle, forcing United to sit deep and soak up pressure. The Gunners should have been ahead at the halftime whistle with Bukayo Saka glancing a wide-open header just over the bar after an excellent cross from Hector Bellerin.
The dominance continued into the second half, and Arsenal was finally rewarded in the 69th minute when Paul Pogba’s ill-advised challenge caught the ankle of Bellerin in the box after a terrific run in behind by the Spaniard. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang stepped up to brilliantly slot home the ensuing penalty, and that was all Arsenal needed to see off the Red Devils. United was frankly terrible in this one, and manager Ole Gunnar Solksjaer will have a lot of questions to answer after he was out-managed to such an immense degree on his own pitch. Below are the player ratings for Arsenal:
Player Ratings (1 – 10)
G – Bernd Leno – 7
A quiet evening for Leno, which is always a good thing and an endorsement of those playing in front of him. Did well to save low in the 21st minute from a Mason Greenwood strike at his near post and then was positionally sound to save a deflected cross off of his face late on to preserve the win. Solid shutout.
DF – Rob Holding – 8
Holding and Gabriel is clearly the best true center back duo in the squad as both play so well together. Holding was immense in this one on the return to the ground where he tore his ACL over a year ago. Positionally sound, strong in the air, and authoritative, it is great to see him back to his best so quickly after another injury.
DF – Gabriel – 8
People talk about how much Thomas Partey has already transformed the team, but for my money, Gabriel has been the most important signing for Arsenal. He has completely transformed the defense from a laughing stock to best in the league after seven matches. He is just relentless in his defensive duties and never shies away from a challenge. He is the exact type of defender this squad needed, and he was nearly perfect again today despite a couple of needless fouls when he was on a yellow.
DF – Kieran Tierney – 7
I still feel as if his best position is on the left in a back four, but as long as Arteta continues to utilize a back three, Tierney will continue to play centrally on the left. He did his job well again in this one and even was able to break forward to send in some wonderfully appetizing crosses. A natural defender that always does what is asked of him and does it well.
MF – Hector Bellerin – 6.5
Did not have much to do defensively as United were absolutely dire on the flanks thanks to the diamond midfield they attempted to use. His high rating is due to the fact that his brilliant run led to a Paul Pgba foul and penalty, which won the match for Arsenal. Got forward well all evening and was rewarded.
MF – Mohammed Elneny – 8
Let’s all take a moment to appreciate just how wonderful of a story Mohammed Elneny is this year. Cast aside and forgotten last year after being a useful squad member in years prior, Elneny has returned this season on a mission to prove that he can play a part in Arteta’s plans, and it sure seems as if he has succeeded. He was the perfect midfield partner for Partey in this match, helping to contribute to complete domination in the center of the park by Arsenal. This match was won in the midfield, and the Egyptian was a major reason why. Bravo.
MF – Thomas Partey – 8.5 (MOTM)
The best player on the pitch, period. What a signing this man is and is going to continue to be. He is just an absolute joy to watch on and off the ball as a do-it-all central midfielder. He has an incredible range of passing to go with a strong positional sense, not to mention a fierce shot that he showed when he stung the palms of David De Gea in the second half. Arsenal is already a much stronger side because of him, and he will only continue to improve as he integrates fully into the side. United had no answer for him.
MF – Bukayo Saka – 7.5
It continues to be the best source of creativity for Arsenal, even as an auxiliary wing-back on the left. Similarly to Bellerin, he did not have much to do defensively as United offered nothing on his side, but going forward, he was terrific again in attacking the opposition’s back line. Should have scored a wide-open header from a perfect Bellerin cross, but not much to complain about besides that.
FW – Willian – 5.5
Things just aren’t coming off for the Brazilian right now. He did well to get into good attacking areas but seems a bit lost at times in the final third and redeemed himself and his rating, however, by playing a perfect ball in behind to Hector Bellerin, which led to the foul and match-winning penalty. He is still getting acclimated to the side and will improve his all-around play with time.
FW – Alexandre Lacazette – 7
Lacazette gets high marks for his tremendous defensive effort in this one. Arteta asked him to drop in and man-mark Fred in the midfield when the ball was received deep, and he was a constant menace to United as they tried, and failed, to play the ball out. Did his customary excellent work in linking up attacking play despite being a bit starved for service in the final third. Down and dirty performances like this are why he will continue to be preferred to Eddie Nketiah by the manager.
FW – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 7.5
The match winner needed that goal in the worst way. Coming under a bit of fire recently for his lack of goals early on in the season, Aubameyang must have been thrilled to see his penalty hit the back of the net after sending De Gea the wrong way. Came close to scoring earlier after a layoff from Lacazette and worked hard to get into good areas. Hopefully, the goal helps get him back to his top form.
Substitutes
FW – Eddie Nketiah – 6
Nketiah came on for the last 15 minutes for Lacazette and pressed hard to help disrupt United’s comeback attack.
MF – Shkodran Mustafi – NR
Came on in the 87th for Aubameyang to help see the game out, which he did.
FW – Ainsley Maitland-Niles – NR
The forward came on at the same time as Mustafi and for the same reason. Successful mission.
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