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Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang’s penalty made the difference at Old Trafford, but who starred and who fought for Manchester United and Arsenal?
MAN UTD
David de Gea – 5
The communication confusion with Harry Maguire in the opening minutes may have been costly, but as impressive as Arsenal were in the first half, it had little to do. He mustered Partey’s fierce momentum quite comfortably after the break, but was defeated from point of view once again.
Aaron Wan Bissaka ―― 4
It wasn’t an easy task dealing with the quick feet of Bukayo Saka, who hugged the youngster early in the game after a mistake in possession. But the repeated errant positioning could have cost his side; Aubameyang lost several times in the first half and allowed Saka a free header just before the break.
Victor Lindelof – 6
Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shoots under pressure from Manchester United’s Victor Lindelof
Several key interventions, including a major toe to deny Aubameyang towards the end of the first half, then another to thwart Lacazette, albeit nearly punished when Willian hit the crossbar.
Harry Maguire – 6
Harry Maguire vies for possession with Alexandre Lacazette
Some major clearances and he tried to stretch the field with a couple of driving diagonals looking for Bruno Fernandes. Caught between nodding back through the goal and reaching for the top corner when Shaw threw a delicious ball but won most of his matchups.
Luke Shaw – 6
Rather solid but surprising contrast in the first half between the positions of him and Wan-Bissaka, and those of Kieran Tierney and Héctor Bellerin. Maguire should have converted a higher pitch after a break and a glorious whipped ball early in the second half.
Fred – 4
So impressive midweek but lazy in possession and awkward in challenge. Deployed in the starting role, but a nervous watch for United fans after receiving a reservation for a challenge on Willian. Take off just after the time set by Nemanja Matic.
Scott McTominay – 5
He fought in the first half in a praised diamond shape after RB Leipzig’s defeat when he moved too often into Fred’s space. “It’s the uncomfortable part of the diamond,” Gary Neville said in the first half. “He’s not where he needs to be to create space for others. He’s playing too deep. The balance between him and Wan-Bissaka isn’t quite right.” He stayed to help prevent Arsenal’s counterattack.
Paul Pogba – 4
Like other United midfielders, he was led by Thomas Partey in the first half at Old Trafford, although he made a major defensive intervention at the near post after Willian’s wicked free kick. He struggled in transition and frequently dispossessed, then naively slashed Bellerin after going the wrong way to concede the penalty sent by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Infuriating again.
Bruno Fernandes – 4
He tried to orchestrate but, like several of his teammates, too often he lost possession in the first half. He moved up to 10th position after the break, but struggled to ignite Solskjaer’s team and was replaced by Donny van de Beek with 15 minutes to go. Really ineffective.
Marcus Rashford – 5
Marcus Rashford looks dejected after the game
He seemed sharp enough in the first half, he played a glorious curling ball in the way of Mason Greenwood, despite poor service. Dejetura after a loose header from a throw-in allowed Aubameyang to enter. Too peripheral in general. Roy Keane described her body language as “shocking.”
Mason Greenwood – 5
He had United’s only shot in the first half (last time he had less in the first 45 minutes when he had none against Manchester City in October 2015), but while he anticipated Rashford’s pass, he hit Leno directly from a closed angle. An overly enthusiastic challenge on Lacazette in the second half earned him a warning and he took off.
SUBS
Nemanja Matic – 6
He replaced Fred shortly after the hour and tried to exert influence. He thought he deserved a penalty after a clever give and take with Van de Beek and kept Leno on his toes with a low drive at the end.
Edinson Cavani – 5
He replaced Mason Greenwood in the 74th minute. Willing but not conceded, he was forced to move to the left to catch the ball. Reserved in discount time for a challenge to Gabriel.
Donny van de Beek – 7
In place of Fernandes in the 75th minute, but he looked strong and incisive in limited minutes; Enough promise to increase your rating here. He showed clean feet and Pacy’s center was almost deflected into his own net by Elneny.
2:59
ARSENAL
Bernd Leno – 7
Hardly tested when Arsenal dominated the game, but had to be vigilant to avoid Greenwood’s powerful low drive with his feet on his first post in the first half. Unlike his last games, he was solid with the ball at his feet and went long at the right moments. I got a bit of luck at the end when Elneny’s punt attempt hit him in the face and the ball bounced off the post. But when it’s your day, it’s your day.
Rob Holding – 8
Upon his return from a hamstring injury, the 25-year-old had the difficult prospect of dealing with man of the moment Marcus Rashford. His task was made more difficult by an early booking for a foul on the United striker, but he did well. He was strong in the tackle and dominant in the air, plus he was very clean and orderly with the ball while Arsenal played from behind.
Gabriel Magalhaes – 9
Solid as a rock at the heart of Arsenal’s defense. He also had to deal with an early booking for a foul on Rashford, but he was always in the right place at the right time for the Gunners. He repelled everything that was sent to him and made a decisive entrance at the end to deny Matic in the penalty area. A key component of the new backbone Arteta is building at Arsenal.
Kieran Tierney – 7
The last piece of Arsenal’s three-man defense, and again, the Scotsman was not wrong. He won’t take the applause from Gabriel or Holding, but he certainly played his part in what was an excellent defensive performance from the Gunners.
Hector Bellerin – 8
Héctor Bellerin is challenged by Luke Shaw
An impressive performance by the Spanish. He appeared in the box numerous times to cause a lot of trouble for United. He skillfully supported Willian in attack and Holding in defense, and his serve in the area was excellent. He played a crucial role in Aubameyang’s winning goal, taking the free-kick to earn Pogba’s penalty.
Mohamed Elneny – 8
A surprise inclusion from Arteta with Granit Xhaka left on the bench. However, the Egyptian put up a solid display on his side. He did a lot of dirty work, checking out the Arsenal defense alongside Thomas Partey. He played the single pass all afternoon and advanced whenever he got the chance. Along with Partey, they dominated the midfield area, which played a key role in the Gunners’ victory. He was lucky with a late block, but the ball was on Arsenal’s side when it hit Leno in the face before bouncing off the post.
Thomas Partey – 9
He showed exactly why Arsenal paid the 45 million pounds needed to sign him on Deadline Day from Atlético de Madrid. A great presence for the Gunners alongside Elneny, with whom he struck up an excellent partnership. Another key component of Arsenal’s new backbone and Arteta will expect to see a lot more of that in the weeks and months to come. Maximum for Arsenal touches, possession won, tackles and interceptions and dribbles completed. “He is a midfielder who can do everything,” said Jamie Redknapp.
Bukayo Saka – 7
Another decent performance from the England international. Along with Tierney and Aubameyang on the left, he was always looking to influence the game in a positive way and that trio gave Wan-Bissaka a difficult afternoon. However, you know you should have done better in heading up when you are presented with a golden opportunity to score from eight yards.
Willian – 7
He lost possession several times early in the game, but was always trying to get Arsenal forward. He was always calling for the ball and supported by Bellerin, they gave Arsenal an excellent start from the right. He was inches from a goal when his shot hit the top of the crossbar.
Alexandre Lacazette – 8
Nothing in the stat column in terms of goals or assists, but the Frenchman contributed in many other ways for his team at Old Trafford. He worked tirelessly for his team, leading Arsenal’s excellent press from the front. It put United’s defenders under great pressure when they had the ball and was a key part of the Gunners’ game plan as Solskjaer’s team struggled to outperform the press throughout the game. He also used his strength well to hold the ball by his side and brought his teammates into the game whenever he got the chance.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 7
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (C) celebrates with his teammates after scoring for Arsenal in Man Utd
Arsenal failed to engage their main man enough from the left in the first half. He could have had a touch if he had anticipated the Bellerin cross earlier and he should have done better early in the second half when he played Lacazette. But when it mattered, the Arsenal captain delivered, converting from the spot to seal all three points. It was a goal that he also desperately needed after having gone five games without a goal in the league.
SUBS
Eddie Nketiah – 6
Run your socks for the cause in the dying moments to help get your side out of line. He made a good contribution at the end with an excellent forward run, which allowed him to get the ball into the corner to waste a few precious seconds.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Shkodran Mustafi – n / a
They set off in the final minutes to aid the defensive cause and did their job as Arsenal endured a crucial victory.
Whats Next?
Manchester United will go to Istanbul Buyuksehir in the Champions League at 5:55 p.m. on Wednesday, before going to Everton at 12:30 p.m. in the Premier League on Saturday.
Arsenal host Molde in the Europa League on Thursday at 8pm and then welcome Aston Villa to the Emirates at 7:15 pm on Sunday, live at the Sky Sports box office.
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