This was not the classic attacking and free flowing football but definetely the most intense game of the season so far. Highflying Arsenal came up against floundering Manchester United at Old Trafford and the build up to the game was mind blowing.
The theatre of dreams have been a jinxed place for the Gunners with the recent 8-2 drubbing being the most humiliating result for Arsene Wenger during his illustrious career. This time it was different as the Gunners were on top of the table and had just beaten Liverpool and a strong Dortmund side. The gunners boast the best midfield of the league with Ozil, Cazorla, Arteta, Ramsey and Wilshere and must have hoped that much of the game would be played in the way they wanted i.e crisp and fast football.
The red devils started with a high pressing game and the gunners were pressurized into making small errors in passing and positioning which were absent in their previous games and it showed the nervousness of the Arsenal players. Ozil and Ramsey were poor beyond any words and were playing well below their normal levels, Cazorla tried hard to get into the game but could not as well. The red devils had one clear strategy and were executing it well, block Arsenal from playing in their style, Rooney was their most industrious player and he was the one who created the goal. The first half was a tactical battle between Moyes and Wenger and the former Everton man was winning but the second half was different. Arsenal started playing well and enjoyed 65% of the possession but without many clearcut chances. The introduction of Gnabry provided some width and pace and all Arsenal fans must have wondered what would have been if Walcott and Podolski played.
By all means this was a competitive match and the decider came from a set piece and Arsenal fans must not put their heads down. After a long time we have a team which can battle and win matches, but it would be wonderful if Arsene signed a more accomplished striker, Giroud is playing well but just not at the level of rooney or Van persie. Ozil must start making more effort when things are not going his way, he just disappeared from the game on many occasions and was marked by Rooney though towards the second half he started making runs and finding space.
After the break hopefully we will have Walcott to speed up the play and bring some width and keep playing good football.
Heart Ache
13 years ago