Arsenal Better Than Manchester United, 2-0

Arsenal defeated Manchester United with 2-0 and regained a bit of its lost confidence. The Gunners posted an excellent performance against the Red Devils, and were more than confident when needed. Without any hesitation, we can say that this was the best performance of this squad since the start of the season.

The fans had a chance to see one confident Arsenal, with swift ball movement, quick transition and excellent individual effort. There weren’t any problems in communication on the field like so many times before. All in all, it was a perfect night for the club from North London.

The show started in the 8th minute when Sead Kolasinac broke through the left side, and sent a cross into the middle of United’s box. Nicolas Pepe was there, and the French forward didn’t have any troubles to send a perfectly aimed shot into guests’ net. It was 1-0 for the home team early on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kaP3RnwgJ8

But Arsenal wouldn’t stop there, and they continued to attack. Pepe had an ideal chance to double the lead in the 40th minute, but his shot ended on the left post.

However, Sokratis did that instead of him in the 43rd minute after a corner kick. The Greek centre-back’s header would beat De Gea, and eventually solve this contest.

“I think it was great. We did a great first-half and we were a mature team in the second,” David Luiz told the journalists following the game. “We are trying to change things but you can’t go from zero to 10 in one day. It’s great to see how committed the kids are.

We haven’t seen anything special from both sides in the second half. United did have more of the ball possession, but there were no goals. Solskjaer would change several players, mix the formation, but nothing brought results.

Meanwhile, Arsenal’s players did show lack of breath, but they managed to protect their net. However, the physical condition is something they will have to improve over the next few weeks.

“We are not ready to fight for 90 minutes and this second half again today we were struggling but every player like the way we play,” said Kolasinac.

BIG. W. 🙌#ARSMUN

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 1, 2020

At the moment, the Gunners are 10th in the EPL standings, with 27 points, four fewer than today’s rivals who are fifth. The race for the Champions League is still on, but Arteta’s boys are 9 points behind Chelsea, and that is something pretty tough to reach.

Up next they play against Leeds United in the FA Cup, and after that have a local derby against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Solskjaer’s boys again lost when they shouldn’t allow something like that. United was starting to look good, but this failure proved that they still have a long way before becoming a team worthy of a top-four place in the Premiership.

“We have to find consistency between now and the end of the season, and we could find ourselves in the top four. If we don’t, we won’t. The first half of the season has been up and down, but we need to start putting wins together,” Harry Maguire admitted what United’s biggest problem is.

Manchester is ahead of one pretty tough schedule. At first, they have to face Wolverhampton in the FA Cup on the road, and after that host their biggest enemy, Manchester City. Following all that they are playing against Norwich in the Premiership.