Manchester United were beaten at home again after a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang penalty gave Arsenal the away victory in the Premier League this Sunday.
After a strong midweek victory in the UEFA champions league against RB Leipzig, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was disappointed in his team’s lacklustre performance, as they still look for their first win at Old Trafford in the Premier League this season.
Arsenal’s game-winning scorer, Aubameyang, said after the game: “The team did very well tonight and it’s been a long time since we won here so it’s a big win.”
Arsenal’s dominance
Arsenal started the game the stronger team and dominated possession from early on.
Their deadline day signing Ghanaian Thomas Partey was the key in their midfield with the former Atletico Madrid man both defending and creating chances brilliantly from start to finish.
They pressed high and United’s midfield struggled to get the ball out of their own half.
Arsenal will have been disappointed not to have been leading by half-time after Willian hit the crossbar and Bukayo Saka found himself in acres of space in the middle of the box but put his header just high.
The second half
After the diamond formation, which worked wonders midweek, was coming up short against Arsenal, Manchester United came out in the second half in a different shape yet still didn’t make any real chances.
Arsenal continued their dominance and their break finally came in the 70th minute, after Paul Pogba gave away a penalty after stepping on the heel of Hector Bellerin which Aubameyang converted from the spot in his typical fashion.
United then made some chances in attack, bringing on Donny van de Beek and new signing Edinson Cavani.
The changes gave United a bit more life, and Van de Beek came close after his deflected shot was only saved by the woodwork.
United’s problems continue
The chances were too little too late for United, and the loss means they end the week in 15th place and still without a win at home in the league.
Solskjaer’s diamond formation may have worked brilliantly against RB Leipzig, but it came up far short of Mikel Arteta’s tactical masterclass today.
Solskjaer said after the game: “We never had the intensity or the energy today. We didn’t win the ball or press them how we wanted too.”
Arsenal’s manager Arteta will be heading back to North London extremely proud of his team’s performance today whilst it is back to the drawing board for Solskjaer and his coaching team.
