A few observations from Manchester United Vs. Arsenal at Old Trafford (part 1)
The Monday night game between Manchester United Arsenal brought an all too familiar result for the visitors, and a developing tale of strength for the hosts not just in this fixture, but the league overall. Here are a few observations from that game:
- With a 1-0 win over Arsenal on Monday Manchester United took control of the Premier League table with a two-point lead at the top, with a game in hand. A victory at Chelsea next week will allow United to further extend their lead at the top of the table.
Every point will be crucial, since this looks like it will be the tightest title race in recent years. The points tally for the title winning team should go down from 85 plus to less than 80, given that the league has almost reached the half way stage. Assuming
they can beat Chelsea and open up a five-point gap at the top, United will be favourites to pick up their 4th Premier League crown in five season, despite not playing anywhere close to their best.
- Arsenal may have lost in a fierce battle, but they are still in this war. The Gunners merely suffered flesh wounds in their latest battle with United, and although they did drop points, they will still be confident about the rest of the season. Arsene
Wenger was not wrong when he said in the post-match interview that it was a big disappointment to lose to United, but there was no reason to lose hope. Arsenal have already visited Eastlands, Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford this season and are still in second
position. As long as Arsenal’s away from does not considerably deteriorate and they maintain a decent home record, they will either win the league this season or come mighty close to it.
- The point made above may be vague optimism in light of the fact that Manchester United, Chelsea, Spurs and City are yet to travel to the Emirates. Monday night’s result was yet another addition to Arsenal’s abysmal record against the top sides in the league.
Having just conjured two wins in their last 11 outings against Manchester United is shameful, but significantly worse is their record against the top two sides since September of 2006.
A solitary draw and 10 losses is not acceptable from a team that has title aspirations, and that draw too came at a time against United when the red devils only needed a point to claim the title. To convert their beautiful football into trophies Arsenal
have to start winning big matches. It was something that they looked incapable of doing on Monday, as they never really threatened the reserve of a dogged Manchester United side.
At best Arsenal could have salvaged a draw, but nothing more. Perhaps that might change when all their players return from injury, and Wenger’s men are at full strength. But Monday night’s performance put paid to mitigation and excuses. Arsenal’s match
against Carlo Ancelotti’s Blues will be their biggest league fixture since April '98 and a loss could end their title ambitions for another season.
- To be honest, the game at Old Trafford was by no means a breathtaking spectacle, and was a real let down compared to the high octane lightning fast feast of football delivered at White Hart Lane just a day before this game. Manchester United didn't do
much besides scoring a fortuitous goal, and then sat back deep in their half waiting to hit their opponents on the counter. Same goes for Arsenal, who conceded a goal out of nothing, laboured forward only to give the ball away in the final third and struggled
getting it back. Fans deserved better football than that, or at least the neutrals did.
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