Aubameyang’s goal drought finally comes to an end as his Penalty condemns Manchester United to another home defeat against Arsenal
Full-time result
MANCHESTER UNITED 0 – 1 ARSENAL – Aubameyang (69′)
Arsenal put in a very much overall impressive display away at old Trafford where they last won in 2006. This game has practically put United Manager, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer into the spotlight after failing to win any of his Premier League home games this season. Arsenal should be given credit for coming out on top in this fixture as they made The Red Devils look so bizarre in their own ground.
Manchester United started with a defensive pairing of skipper Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof, flanked by Aaron wan Bisakka and Luke Shaw. In the midfield, they had Fred, Pogba, McTominay, and Juan Mata, while Mason Greenwood was paired upfront with the Lethal Marcus Rashford.
For the Gunners, it was a 3-4-3 formation, with the impressive Gabriel, Holding, and Kieran Tierney in the defense line. In the midfield, they had Hector Bellerin, Thomas Partey, Elneny, and Bukayo Saka while upfront, it was Aubameyang, Lacazette, and Willian who attacked.
That’s a Penalty!!!
Arsenal started brightly and Aubameyang was within a whisker of getting a touch on Bellerin’s low cross as he looked to put the Gunners ahead. United registered the first attempt on target when Marcus Rashford whipped a teasing ball from the right across the penalty area for Mason Greenwood, who saw his low angled shot saved by Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno at the near post. But it was Arteta’s side who finished the first half the stronger, as Willian’s curling effort grazed the crossbar while Bukayo Saka headed just wide from a good position.
Indeed, United’s solitary effort meant they had their fewest shots in the first half of a Premier League home game since having none against Manchester City in October 2015. Arsenal caught United in possession six minutes into the second half and Aubameyang curled a shot past the post, while Harry Maguire headed wide for the hosts not long afterward. Thomas Partey’s long-range effort was comfortably saved by David De Gea before the moment came in the 69th minute when Pogba clipped Bellerin’s ankle and Aubameyang calmly found the right corner from the resulting penalty kick.
Solskjaer threw on veteran Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani with just 15 minutes left to play but apart from a few speculative long-range efforts, it was a tame finish from United as Arsenal comfortably handled long balls pumped into the box and held on to secure their first victory at Old Trafford since 2006.
Man of the Match
on how much this result means to him…
Well, obviously I demand a lot from myself and I was really tough after the defeat against Leicester because I didn’t feel like the boys deserved that defeat, especially after the game we played at the Etihad. I didn’t want them to doubt one bit of what we are trying to do and I just asked them today, go out there, be who we are and that we’ve come here to win. You could see that from the first minute with the way we played and our aggression showed. I’m really happy for them and obviously, our fans as well because 14 years is a long time without a win and they’re one of our rivals, so I’m delighted for everyone.
Mo of the same please
- Arsenal moves up to the eighth position on the table with 12 points from 7 matches while United will drop further down to 15th position with 7 points from 6 matches.
- United have failed to win any of their opening home league matches this season, having played 4, drawing 1, and losing 3 in the Process.
- Arsenal finally wins away against a top 6 opponent in the Premier League since their victory over Manchester City at the Etihad in 2015.
- This was Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s 100th game in charge of Manchester United and it ended in a loss to one of United’s oldest rivals.
Up next for Manchester United is a champions league trip to turkey to take on Istanbul Basaksehir while the Gunners face Molde in a Europa League encounter on Thursday night.
It was a satisfying visit to Old Trafford to heap more misery on our long-time foes; Manchester United.
COYG!!!
Match Preview by Patrick Alexander
It was really an impressive game, our boys gave their best. I’m glad we won the game.
We need more of this form from our boys. #COYG
We need to carry the momentum against Villa and Leeds. Top 4 is very achievable with this team
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