Manchester United 2-1 Arsenal (PL Review)

Manchester United against Arsenal is one of the greatest rivalry in Premier League history. All those years of Ferguson vs Wenger, Keane vs Viera, Pizzagate, Battle of Buffet has forever made its place in Premier League folklore. Although this match was something special, as it was the last time Arsene Wenger was visiting Old Trafford as an Arsenal manager. Arsene Wenger deserved a proper sendoff from Old Trafford faithful and the United fans showed their class as they cheered for their adversary as he takes to the touchlines one last time as an Arsenal boss. Manchester United, represented by Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho, presented a memento to the Arsene Wenger for his 2 decade long service not just to Arsenal, but also to the Premier League and English football.

Jose Mourinho didn’t care much about the occasion and went with a strong squad with former Arsenal man Alexis Sanchez on the left wing and Jesse Lingard on the right with the powerful Belgian, Romelu Lukaku, upfront. A classic 4-3-3 formation with Paul Pogba ahead of the two other central midfielders Nemanja Matic and Ander Herrera. Herrera and Matic would hold the shape of the team allowing Pogba the license to join attacks.

On the other hand, Arsenal fielded a young squad made from the substitutes and academy players because their commitments to UEFA Europa League. Arsenal play the second leg against Atletico Madrid only four days from this match and is their only way to win a trophy this season and Champions League football next season. Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina and central midfielder Granit Xhaka were the only two players from the team that drew against Atletico Madrid in the Europa League Semifinal three days ago. Henrikh Mikhitayan, the other part of the famous ‘Sanchez swap deal’ ,was back at his old stomping ground.

It was hard for United as the young players put up a good fight. They were determined to show the world what they are really about and also for a place in the squad next season. But patience shown by the United team eventually team paid off when Lukaku dinked in a ball at the far post for an unmarked Alexis Sanchez. Sanchez's header rattled the crossbar but Paul Pogba was at the right place at the right time and scored the rebound. Arsenal had few chances in the first half as well with a Reiss Nelson header going wide and Aubameyang shot that did not trouble United goalkeeper David De Gea.

Second half started as Arsenal grew into the game. Herrera and Matic lost shape of the midfield for an instance and former Manchester United man Mkhitaryan made them pay as he equalized from a grounded shot from outside the box. The Armenian out of respect for his fans and the club did not celebrate. Romelu Lukaku went off injured after a crunching tackle from the young Grek Aresenal recuit, Konstantinos Mavropanos. Lukaku was soon substituted by United academy graduate Marcus Rashford. Rashford would always struggle physically against those Arsenal defenders and United lacked the physicality in the box since Lukaku went off. Mourinho made a double change as he brought on Anthony Martial and Marouane Felliani. Sanchez moved over to the right flank as Martial came on. Martial provided pace, width, aggression and flair. Everything those Arsenal players would have liked to avoid after seventy minutes of play. The French man, Martial, kept on attacking from the left flank and Fellaini with his height and physicality was a threat in the Arsenal box. A goal was ruled out in the 88th minute as Fellaini's header from Martial's cross hit the post return ball was scored by Rashford who was in an offside position.

Old Trafford were getiing anxious as it would be another disappointing result following United’s home defeat against relegation favourites West Brom a week ago. Manchester United produced a total of 34 crosses in that game. Half of that number came since Fellaini took the field. The idea was clear. Get the ball to the big man in the box to score. Simple,but effective. Ashley young crossed the ball at the 92nd minute and Marouane Fellaini battled Xhaka and Mavropanos to win the header and place it past a struggling Ospina. Wenger ended up in the wrong side of a result again at Old Trafford. The Frenchman lost his first game in England against United. Against Sir Alex. The teams fought for possession in final minutes as Kevin Friend put an end to the game and also to a long chapter in the Premier League.

"I am thankful to Manchester United because they gave a nice gesture before the game. It was very classy from them. It’s the first time I get a trophy before the game, that’s new."Arsene Wenger said during post match interview.

End of Arsene Wenger as a Premier League opponent.

End of a rivalry.

End of an era.

-By Soutam Sarkar

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