Manchester United 2-2 Arsenal
There was a time where clashes between these sides were THE Premier League fixture.
The big one with fireworks almost guaranteed, as the dominant forces in the English game—managed by the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger—went head-to-head at a relentless pace.
It’s been five and a half years since Ferguson retired and even longer since Wenger’s star started to wane. And incredibly, this was the first meeting in which neither of the long-standing managers has been involved since the opening day of the 1986/87 season.
However, some 82 encounters later, this game between arguably English football’s two most proud institutions was still always likely to provide some of the Premier League 2018 highlights.
Highlights of the game
The frenetic pace from the off would have come as no surprise to SBOBET fans.
The ‘three at the back’ formation adopted by both sides may have surprised many, particularly United fans, although there would have been some relief that the hosts could recall Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly who had both been injury doubts.
Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial both tested Bernd Leno, while Hector Bellerin shot wide before the breakthrough arrived in the 26th minute.
The Premier League 2018 betting odds would have been slim on a David de Gea mistake, but even the best make them and the United number one failed to deal with a Shkodran Mustafi header from a Lucas Torreira corner.
United hit back within four minutes as the impressive Martial netted his seventh goal in 11 games. Martial converted Ander Herrera’s pull-back after Marcos Rojo saw a shot saved.
Arsenal may have felt aggrieved as Herrera seemed to be marginally offside as he retrieved the ball, but the goal stood.
Arsenal certainly weren’t having any luck and the talented young defender Rob Holding had to leave the pitch shortly afterwards with suspected ligament damage.
As both sets of fans applauded, football fans can only wish him well.
Aaron Ramsey was also struggling for the Gunners, and there was no surprise when he had to be replaced by former United man Henrikh Mkhitaryan—who scored in this fixture last season—at the break.
Before then, a rugged spell had led to five bookings in as many minutes (three for United, two for Arsenal).
The second half remained closely contested with chances at a premium. A Rojo effort was saved by Leno, who seems to be making the Arsenal No.1 jersey his own. The loss of Martial to injury also became the main immediate talking points.
Then out of nothing, two goals in as many minutes (74 seconds to be precise).
One man who has made quite an impact this season is Alexandre Lacazette and, with virtually his first touch, he fired Arsenal back in front midway through the second period. His shot was poked into his net by Rojo after he had lost the ball.
United were determined and then levelled straight away as Jesse Lingard capitalised on more woeful defending after Martial’s replacement, Romelu Lukaku, momentarily held the ball up.
The game was suddenly alive again and both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang—who had scored with his last 10 shots on target in the Premier League—and Mkhitaryan had chances to immediately restore the visitors lead.
It was now all Arsenal as De Gea saved from Aubameyang again and United reverted to a flat back four.
They certainly finished the game stronger and an offside flag denied Mkhitaryan what would have been a memorable clincher. However, there was to be no winner.
This may have lacked the quality of meetings of yesteryear but Manchester United versus Arsenal is still a big draw!
Key statistics
Manchester United are unbeaten in 12 home league matches against Arsenal since September 2006 (won eight, drawn four).
United have conceded 25 goals in their opening 15 Premier League games, only the bottom five have a worse record.
Last season, it took the Red Devils until March 10 (and 30 matches) until they conceded 23 league goals.
Jose Mourinho’s side has now gone four league matches without a win.
Arsenal have failed to lead at halftime in a Premier League game this season.
The Gunners are unbeaten in their last 13 league games (won nine, drawn three), and 20 matches in all competitions (won 15, drawn four). They last lost at Chelsea on the second weekend of the season.
Top of Form
What’s next?
Manchester United complete their run of four home games out of five by welcoming Fulham to Old Trafford on Saturday. They then travel to Spain to take on Valencia in a ‘dead rubber’ Champions League contest before facing archrivals Liverpool at Anfield on December 16.
Arsenal’s run is no less hectic.
They host Huddersfield this weekend before entertaining FK Qarabag in the Europa League, from which they’ve already qualified for the knockout stages.
It’s followed by a trip to Southampton in the Premier League and a potentially mouth-watering League Cup quarter-final and North London derby at home to Spurs.
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