PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG ended 14 years of Old Trafford misery for Arsenal as Mikel Arteta got his tactics spot-on.
The skipper’s 69th minute penalty was enough to secure a first Premier League victory since 2006 at the home of their old rivals.
Mikel Arteta’s side deservedly got the three points at Old Trafford
Arsenal skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored the only goal of the game
And it is hard to recall the last time Arsenal were so dominant away to one of their ‘Big Six’ rivals as they threatened to press United to death.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team could barely get out of their own half during the first 45 minutes as the visitors dominated possession.
Wing-backs Hector Bellerin and Bukayo Saka were given the freedom to bomb on by the dominating presence of Thomas Partey and the unheralded Mohamed Elneny in the middle of the park.
Willian clipped the bar, Aubameyang was inches away from applying a finishing touch to Bellerin’s ball across the face of goal and Saka sent an unchallenged header over when he should have scored.
Alexandre Lacazette and Aubameyang combined for another chance which the Arsenal captain was unable to capitalise on.
Yet for all Arsenal’s domination, their first shot on target didn’t arrive until the 58th minute and you couldn’t help but feel this was going to be like Leicester at home all over again.
On that occasion last Sunday, Arteta’s team were in complete control until half-time but were unable to capitalise before being caught late on the counter attack by Jamie Vardy.
But they have clearly learned their lessons well and when United briefly threatened to apply some pressure, Rob Holding and Gabriel were rock solid in defence.
Arsenal centre-back Gabriel starred at the back for the travelling North LondonersCredit: Getty Images – Getty
And that provided them with the platform to keep pushing forward to win the decisive penalty when Bellerin was brought down by Paul Pogba.
Arsenal had kicked-off down in 13th place in the table, their lowest league position since God only knows when.
But this impressive victory confirms that they are definitely moving in the right direction under Arteta’s guidance.
They will take no end of confidence from this morale-boosting victory and after moving back into the top half of the table will rightly believe that the only way is up.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
