Arsenal welcomed Manchester United to the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening.
This was something of a must win game for the Gunners, as Liverpool held a nine point lead at the top of the table heading into this fixture.
However, Mikel Arteta was without some key players against Manchester United. Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhaes were both unfit to face the Red Devils, having picked up knocks against West Ham United last time out.
Arsenal were able to dominate the first half, but were frustrated by the visitors’ determined defensive effort. However, Thomas Partey invoked the ire of Arsenal fans as he spurned a golden opportunity early on.
Ten minutes into the second half, Jurrien Timber was able to nod in after connecting with a Declan Rice corner at the near post. After going ahead, the Gunners picked up the pace. A Partey header later deflected in off William Saliba’s back to put Arsenal 2-0 up.
As Liverpool were held to a draw by Newcastle United, Arsenal were able to reduce the defecit.
Arsenal player ratings vs Manchester United
David Raya – 7
David Raya showed impressive composure on the ball at times, and was always alert to sweep up any ball that dropped in behind the Arsenal defence, but was otherwise largely untroubled, aside from one excellent second half save to claw away a headed effort.
Jurrien Timber – 7
Timber bagged his first Arsenal at a crucial moment as he glanced home a corner. The Dutch right-back was positive throughout, driving forward on the ball.
William Saliba – 7
Without his usual centre-back partner alongside him, Saliba led by example at the back for the Gunners and showed magnificent composure at times. Didn’t know much about the goal he scored, but celebrated gleefully all the same.
Jakub Kiwior – 6
Looked a little nervy at times, but the Poland international largely deputised well for Gabriel. Jakub Kiwior’s future at Arsenal is uncertain, but he stepped up to do a valuable job for Arteta tonight.
Oleksandr Zinchenko – 7
Oleksandr Zinchenko made a rare start due to the injury sustained by Calafiori, and was able to remind the Emirates Stadium faithful of his quality in this match. The Ukrainian saw plenty of the ball, used it well, and was solid defensively.
Thomas Partey – 3
Should have scored in the first half, but mistimed his header from close range. Partey has been Arsenal’s best midfielder so far this season, but was not as the races against Manchester United following his return from a brief injury layoff. Registered an assist for Saliba’s goal, but was otherwise poor.
Martin Odegaard – 6
The Arsenal captain was not as devastatingly influential as he has been in recent weeks, as Manchester United marshalled him well. However, the attention that they paid to marking Martin Odegaard out of the game created space for his teammates to exploit.
Declan Rice – 8
A brilliant, powerful midfield display from the former West Ham United man. Rice was required to screen the Arsenal defence at times, but also drove forward on the ball and registered a vital assist.
Bukayo Saka – 6
Like Odegaard, Bukayo Saka was not able to take this game by the scruff of the neck, but he still showed flashes of quality. As with Rice, his deliveries from set-pieces were consistently dangerous.
Gabriel Martinelli – 5
Gabriel Martinelli worked hard but his final decision and end product were lacking.
Kai Havertz – 6
The German centre-forward never really got into the game when Arsenal were on the ball, but pressed relentlessly and defended from the front with real commitment.
Substitutes
Leandro Trossard – 6
Mikel Merino – 6
Jorginho – 6
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