In a game that had very few moments of quality, Manchester United and Arsenal got the result nobody wanted - a draw. Scott McTominay, with a slightly deflected effort, gave United the lead but Arsenal responded in the second half through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The conditions might not have helped, but the first half was so poor. It says a lot as to why both teams are where they are and why they are so far behind Liverpool and Manchester United. The match "exploded" into life when Manchester United countered Arsenal and McTominay let fly. The strike took a little deflection of Sokratis but it left Leno standing still, transfixed on the ball's path towards his own net. McTominay has grown a lot as a player this season and is one of the few shining lights from their underwhelming start.
The second half was a vast improvement, although that wasn't hard, and Arsenal pegged United back. United were sloppy with possession at the back and gave the ball to Saka, who for an 18 year old did not look out of place, and he played in Aubameyang to chip the ball over David de Gea. The linesman flagged for offside but the Gabonese forward was played well onside by Lindelof and the goal, via VAR, counted.
McTominay had a great chance to score from a corner but blazed his header over the bar. A win for Solskjaer would've taken United up to 6th but instead we find ourselves talking about their worst start in 30 years. It was better than against West Ham but they merely had to run to have done better. They did run, and you could say tried, but again, United looked like a side void of confidence and creativity.
Emery's team selection was negative, playing three defensively minded midfielders (perhaps to sure up their defence) but they were not able to effectively connect their midfield to their attack. United were there to be beaten but Arsenal could not do it. Pepe had another poor game and will take time to settle but his shot that went high into the Stretford End summed up this entire game.
Manchester United have risen to 10th and Arsenal are now in 4th. What should be worrying for both sides is that look miles off Leicester City, not even Liverpool nor Manchester City. Leicester are a better team than these two, definitely United, but the future looks more promising for Arsenal. It's the present that is more important and both sides need to invest heavily if they want to return to where they want to be - challenging for the league title.
The second half was a vast improvement, although that wasn't hard, and Arsenal pegged United back. United were sloppy with possession at the back and gave the ball to Saka, who for an 18 year old did not look out of place, and he played in Aubameyang to chip the ball over David de Gea. The linesman flagged for offside but the Gabonese forward was played well onside by Lindelof and the goal, via VAR, counted.
McTominay had a great chance to score from a corner but blazed his header over the bar. A win for Solskjaer would've taken United up to 6th but instead we find ourselves talking about their worst start in 30 years. It was better than against West Ham but they merely had to run to have done better. They did run, and you could say tried, but again, United looked like a side void of confidence and creativity.
Emery's team selection was negative, playing three defensively minded midfielders (perhaps to sure up their defence) but they were not able to effectively connect their midfield to their attack. United were there to be beaten but Arsenal could not do it. Pepe had another poor game and will take time to settle but his shot that went high into the Stretford End summed up this entire game.
Manchester United have risen to 10th and Arsenal are now in 4th. What should be worrying for both sides is that look miles off Leicester City, not even Liverpool nor Manchester City. Leicester are a better team than these two, definitely United, but the future looks more promising for Arsenal. It's the present that is more important and both sides need to invest heavily if they want to return to where they want to be - challenging for the league title.
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