Manchester United and Arsenal locked horns at Old Trafford on Saturday, and despite all the hype and excitement, the game was a rather dull (and one sided) affair.
United outclassed a poor Arsenal side. It seems as if the great Arsenal and Manchester United rivalry has become a thing of the past, with the North London club unable to gain an upper hand on the English giants.
Let’s have a look at the Arsenal players who suffered the defeat and their performances:
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vito-Mannone-c36276 – 6
The goalkeeper could not have done anything about Robin Van Persie’s early strike. Aside from the two goals conceded, he did well to deny Van Persie three times and made a fine save from Rooney’s shot. Had Arsenal’s defence been more competent, the keeper
might have had a better afternoon.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Bacary-Sagna-c7148 – 5
Struggled to keep up with Ashley Young’s pace and was far from the Bacary Sagna we’re used to seeing. Had been caught in possession a few times and never really looked settled.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Per-Mertesacker-c29680 – 6
The German had a difficult afternoon, and his partner http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Thomas-Vermaelen-c35002 made it even more so. He did well to keep United’s central players at bay, and made a series of important interceptions. However, an awkward clearance in the first half led to United’s
penalty decision when the ball was knocked off to Ashley Young.
Thomas Vermaelen – 4
The Belgian was perhaps Arsenal’s weakest link on the day. Made a horrible attempted clearance which led to United’s first goal, and looked a shadow of his former self as he attempted to keep wave after wave of United attack at bay. The player struggled
against Van Persie, who really had the Belgian in his pocket for the majority of the game. At the moment, Vermaelen does not look like a man fit enough to lead Arsenal out to the pitch.
Andre Santos – 4
Another poor display from the Brazilian. He should not have been starting for the team considering his recent dismal performances. Was caught out of position far too many times, and was unable to keep up with Antonio Valencia’s pace and forward runs. Santos
also gave the ball away quite a few times, and was not effective going forward either.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mikel-Arteta-c25715 – 6
Gave the ball away far too many times, and had an uncharacteristically poor game. Arsenal were not able to keep the ball much, and were unable to benefit from the Spaniard’s creativity and composure.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jack-Wilshere-c17463 – 5
The Englishman is still not a 100 per cent, as was clearly visible. Wilshere was frustrated, and unable to dictate proceedings as he struggled against an excellent United midfield. The player was rightly sent off in the second half after he had been shown
a yellow in the first for a tackle on http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Tom-Cleverley-c35218.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Santi-Cazorla-c32505 – 7
Perhaps Arsenal’s best player on the day, Cazorla also did not have a very good game. The creative midfielder had trouble finding space, and was not helped by his teammates. Fired home an excellent shot towards the end of the game, but was clearly not happy
by his teammates’ performances.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Aaron-Ramsey-c3065 -5
Was played out of position once again, and struggled against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-c10409 Da Gea’s hands for a corner.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lukas-Podolski-c22896 – 5
The German international looked tired and worn out all day, and was not helped by http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Santos-c32532 on the left as he was made to cover a lot of ground owing to the Brazilian’s lacklustre performance.
Olivier Giroud – 5
The French striker saw little of the ball, and registered Arsenal’s first shot on target towards the end of the second half.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Theo-Walcott-c34873 – 5
Came on in the second half, but was unable to make an impact as Evra dealt with him effectively. The winger should’ve perhaps started the game considering Arsenal’s lack of pace throughout.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Andrei-Arshavin-c5771 – 5
The Russian midfielder also came on in the second half, and was shown a yellow card seconds after coming on the pitch. The player set up Cazorla’s late strike in the second half, but had little time to really make an impact.
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