David de Gea continues to be Man Utd’s in-form player
The Spaniard copped an incredible amount of flak when he first arrived in the Premier League but he’s matured rapidly and you’d find it hard to select a better goalkeeper in Europe on current form.
United were under enormous pressure for the first twenty-five minutes of the game and only for De Gea, they would’ve been behind. His close-range save from Jack Wilshere in particular deserves lavish praise but he also had the composure, the intelligence and the all-round skills to make a smart first-half stop from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain too.
He brings so much more authority under a high ball now though there was a moment late in the opening period when he didn’t deal too well with a corner and it led to a half-chance for Danny Welbeck.
He’s a commanding presence back there and given United defensive problems, that’s a blessing right now.
Arsenal failed to capitalise on an excellent first-half showing
How Arsene Wenger’s side weren’t in front at the interval was baffling. They controlled the tempo and dictated everything. United were limp and lifeless, overpowered and uncertain. But the frustration of not taking their chances seemed to hit Arsenal towards the end of the first half and they never properly recovered.
Sanchez popped up on occasion though United coped well with the in-form Chilean. Elsewhere, Welbeck seemed to go through the motions and faded in and out. He saw a header go just over in the first half while he was the one who slipped the ball through for Wilshere’s excellent opportunity.
He was involved in a key moment in the second half. Racing onto a delightful pass from Oxlade-Chamberlain, he was clear of Paddy McNair but ran towards the near post rather than opening his body out, which would’ve allowed him the chance to see all of De Gea’s goal as he ran towards it. Instead, his touch took him towards the near post and the angle was always unforgiving after that. It was a minor detail but (especially with whispers of how he could be like Thierry Henry, etc) it showed how much he has to learn when in front of goal.
Giroud’s moment of inspiration was telling for many reasons.
Jack Wilshere should’ve been sent-off
It’s difficult to know just what went through the midfielder’s mind as he squared up to Marouane Fellaini and launched his forehead into the Belgian’s upper-chest. But, perhaps as mentioned above, it was a reaction to how Arsenal (and himself) had squandered chances and because United had seemingly weathered the storm and had begun to create opportunities of their own.
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Whatever the reason, he was immensely fortunate that Mike Dean made a howler of a decision. The referee was looking directly at the incident but took no action. There wasn’t even a yellow card. It was violent and deserving of a sending-off.
Wilshere was involved in a penalty claim earlier in the half when Luke Shaw sent him tumbling to the ground but Dean waved that away too while there was an odd offside-call in the second period when the Wayne Rooney raced clear on the counter before the linesman’s flag went up. The replay showed the attacker was behind the play.
So, a day to forget for Mike Dean and his team. A day to forget for Wilshere too as his second-half injury will ensure another spell on the sidelines.
Maybe it’s time Robin van Persie was left out of the United side
The dramatic equaliser against Chelsea certainly papered over the cracks but the Dutchman is really struggling this season. He appears perpetually sluggish now and was replaced again this evening by the younger, quicker, more energetic figure of James Wilson.
But Van Gaal clearly likes Wayne Rooney in a withdrawn role and probably has concerns over his ability to lead the line. Therefore, United have slim pickings up front. Van Persie is a main striker, so too Radamel Falcao but both seem to have fitness issues and tire easily. With the Colombian’s injury problems well-known, it leaves Wilson as the only real threat to van Persie’s place in the starting XI.
With the festive period always an intensely demanding time of year, maybe the youngster will be given a chance from the start in the upcoming games against Hull and Stoke? Or perhaps Van Gaal feels it’s better the devil you know and that a tried and tested performer in Van Persie, however much he might be struggling, is still a better option with United hardly firing on all cylinders.
Louis van Gaal’s gamble paid off
There were more changes for United today and the Dutchman gambled. He was very nearly caught out too as his side took the best part of half an hour to get in shape. The three centre-backs made another appearance as McNair, Smalling and Blackett were given the opportunity to mould something like a dynamic together.
It took a long time though Smalling did seem to relish being the communicator and he stepped up to offer some guidance to the raw and inexperienced duo at various times throughout the game (as well as conjuring a brilliant challenge on Welbeck in the second half).
Blackett, in particular, struggled early on as everything positive from Arsenal seemed to happen down their right side. Gaps appeared regularly and there was little protection from further out the field as Carrick and Fellaini were overwhelmed (and outnumbered) by the opposition.
When Ashley Young replaced Shaw, you feared the worst. But, his introduction seemed to calm things down somewhat and he managed to force United up-field and reduce some of the pressure. In the second-half, they kept their shape well and were disciplined, pushing Arsenal away from goal and dealing with the inevitable crosses that were sent in.
Ultimately, United will be satisfied. They rode their luck but knew Arsenal’s defence was vulnerable to the counter. Di Maria hovered dangerously for much of the game, a passenger for a lot of it, though ready to strike when the right moment came along.
He was a catalyst for United in many ways and it was no surprise that he was the player providing some attacking spark late in the first half – something that would’ve provided United with plenty of confidence heading to the break.
It’s quite remarkable that United have looked so unsure so often but are still in fourth place. Once they get their players back, it will be interesting to see what they can offer on the pitch.
