MANCHESTER UNITED failed to close the gap on Manchester City at the top of the Premier League after drawing 0-0 with Arsenal at the Emirates.
The Gunners had the better chances during a not particularly entertaining game in which Arsenal’s new signing Martin Odegaard made his debut.
- RESULT: Arsenal 0-0 Man Utd
- Arsenal XI: Leno, Bellerin, Holding, David Luiz, Cedric, Partey, Xhaka, Pepe, Smith-Rowe, Martinelli, Lacazette
- Man Utd XI: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, McTominay, Pogba, Fernandes, Fred, Raahford, Cavani
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THAT’S ALL FOR TONIGHT
Well, it wasn’t the goalfest we were all hoping for…..
But hopefully they’ll be goals in the Copa Libertadores Final between Palmeiras and Santos!
The game just kicked off – Palmeiras 0-0 Santos
Plenty of Premier League action to come tomorrow, with Chelsea taking on Burnley and West Ham welcome Premier League champions Liverpool to the London Stadium!
Have a good one!
SOLSKJAER SPEAKS
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer spoke to Sky Sports after the game: “I felt we had the bigger chances to win the game. Decent performances, good defensively, two massive chances in the second half.
“We had a good performance. You come away with a share of possession, the bigger chances.
“There was a spell when we dropped off and were a little bit passive, but otherwise I’m pleased with the boys.
“Wednesday night was a disappointing one, but today was a good performance. We take this point and move on, it’s Southampton again.”
LUIZ SPEAKS
David Luiz spoke to Sky Sports after the game: “It was a great game. Both teams tried to win. Both had opportunities. It was a proper match.
“It’s frustrating because we love to win, but we tried our best. We have to try to improve every single day. You have to be humble.
“The boss is doing a great job. The young boys have progressed a lot and are fantastic. The team has a great atmosphere.
“We are far from first. But the ambition has to be there, for the first position. When it is mathematically possible, you have to try.”
SET-PIECE
Today is the first time three different Arsenal players (Luiz, Soares, Lacazette) have had a shot from a direct free-kick in a PL game since October 2012 vs QPR.
MAN UTD RATINGS: ATTACK & BENCH
Marcus Rashford – 6
Lacked quality in the final third often getting into good positions but making the wrong decisions.
Squandered a good chance in the first half when reluctant to shoot. An off day in front of goal – looked tired before being subbed on 80 mins.
Edinson Cavani – 5
Desperately quiet first 45 minutes but more for the lack of service in attack.
Had two glorious chances in the second which he somehow missed when it looked easier to score. He’ll be kicking himself tonight after feeling he could have been the match-winner.
Subs
Anthony Martial – 5
Was introduced on 35 minutes due to McTominay’s illness. Looks out of form and low on confidence.
MAN UTD RATINGS: MIDFIELD
Fred – 7
Came within whiskers of opening the scoring on 19 mins but was denied by a brilliant Leno save.
Did what he does best and broke up the play effectively.
Paul Pogba – 7
Started brightly but was forced to drop deeper in the first half when McTominay came off ill.
Would have liked him to stamp more authority on the game especially in the last 30 minutes. Booked for a challenge on Willian.
Scott McTominay – 5
Really struggled for 35 minutes until he came off for Anthony Martial with apparent illness.
Required tablets midway through first half and looked in real discomfort on the pitch.
Bruno Fernandes – 5
The first real moment of quality on 33 mins, cutting inside past David Luiz and curling an effort just wide.
Was lucky to escape a caution with a bad tackle on Granit Xhaka.
Very quiet in the second half and looks a little off the boil at the moment.
MAN UTD RATINGS: DEFENCE
Here’s how SunSport’s Richard Forrester rated United’s players.
David de Gea – 7
Barely had anything to do for the opening 60 minutes albeit a couple of routine saves.
But made a really smart save down low to deny Smith Rowe later in the game.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 6
Showed great recovery to deny Willian with a superb block just after half-time.
Booked on 50 minutes following a wild lunge on Soares. Certainly has his limitations getting forward.
Harry Maguire – 6
A decent performance that included a goal-saving block to deny Pepe in the second half.
Conceded a controversial free-kick which resulted in Lacazette crashing the crossbar.
Victor Lindelof – 8
Managed to keep Lacazette quiet for long periods and calm in possession.
An assertive performance at the back will bolster his chances of keeping his place over Eric Bailly.
Luke Shaw – 7
Was given a tough time up against Pepe which restricted his ability to get forward in the first half.
Much better in the second contributing in attack and could have easily had an assist.
STAT ATTACK
Nothing special!
FT: ARSENAL 0-0 MAN UTD
Well, it ends all square at the Emirates and both teams share the spoils.
Cavani had two of the best chances of the half, sending two efforts agonisingly wide of the post.
Willian had a good chance of his own for Arsenal, bringing down a cross before sending an effort crashing off Wan-Bissaka.
Someone jinxed it!
PEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
THE FULL-TIME WHISTLE GOES AT THE EMIRATES!
STALEMATE!
ARSENAL 0-0 MAN UTD
90+4. Fernandes finds some room inside Arsenal’s penalty area and he picks out Cavani.
The Uruguayan holds the ball up before laying it back to Fred who sends a first-time shot wide.
ARSENAL 0-0 MAN UTD
90+2. Lacazette is finally helped back to his feet, but he’s not in a good enough state to continue.
Nketiah is on in his place to see out the rest of the game.
ARSENAL 0-0 MAN UTD
90. Lacazette lands awkwardly after bouncing off Maguire on the halfway line.
Both players are down receiving treatment.
The fourth official has added three minutes on at the end of the second half, but one suspects there will be more than that added on.
ARSENAL 0-0 MAN UTD
88. WIDE!
Pogba spreads play wide to Wan-Bissaka on the right-hand side, the right-back takes one touch before whipping the ball in towards the near post.
Cavani meets the cross on the edge of the six yard box, but sends his effort WIDE of the post! Best chance of the half!
ARSENAL 0-0 MAN UTD
86. Cedric’s effort comfortably clears the crossbar. Poor effort.
ARSENAL 0-0 MAN UTD
85. Willian wins Arsenal a free-kick in a dangerous position.
ARSENAL 0-0 MAN UTD
84. Odegaard gets his first touch on the ball, he twists before playing the ball into Willian.
Cedric finds himself in some room on the left-hand side and he whips a cross into the penalty area, but the ball is headed clear.
ARSENAL 0-0 MAN UTD
82. Odegaard is on for his Arsenal debut, replacing Smith Rowe in the hole behind Lacazette.
ARSENAL 0-0 MAN UTD
80. JUST WIDE!
Partey picks out Bellerin in the midfield and the Spaniard spins and drives Arsenal forward.
The right-back then slips the ball wide to Pepe on the right-hand side, and the winger cuts inside onto his left foot and places his effort JUST wide of the far post!
ARSENAL 0-0 MAN UTD
80. Rashford is replaced by Greenwood for the final ten minutes. Will we see a goal? Let’s hope so!
ARSENAL 0-0 MAN UTD
78. Lacazette backs into Pogba – who had jumped to contest the ball in the air – causing the United midfielder to land awkwardly.
Pogba gets up rather quickly and play continues.
ARSENAL 0-0 MAN UTD
76. United clear the corner but only as far as Bellerin who takes a touch and gets a shot off.
ARSENAL 0-0 MAN UTD
76. Luiz’s free-kick hits the wall and goes behind for an Arsenal corner.
ARSENAL 0-0 MAN UTD
76. Luiz drills a pass in towards Lacazette on the edge of the United penalty area.
Maguire comes in late conceding a free-kick. Three Arsenal players standing over the ball.
ARSENAL 0-0 MAN UTD
74. Smith Rowe and Willian combine down the left-hand side playing a slick one-two.
Willian then tries to slip the ball inside to Pepe, but United clear.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
