Arsenal Does Everything Except Win Against Manchester United

If this game didn’t make you sick, I don’t know what will. Everything that could have went wrong, did (except Olivier Giroud). Not only did Arsenal fire 23 shots and 9 on goal, but they only converted one, and as beautiful as it was, it was only one.

Manchester United had 12 shots, a mere 2 on goal, and one was saved. Yeah, if you did the math there, you remember the own goal.

Couple that with the fact that Jack Wilshere, who looked brilliant all game, went down with another ankle injury and was forced off. Then, to make matters worse, Wojciech Szczesny collided with Kieran Gibbs, prior to Gibbs’s own goal, and was forced off as well.

So let’s recap:

The Bad

1. Arsenal still can’t finish
2. Danny Welbeck still can’t finish
3. Arsenal’s defense is still shaky
4. Jack Wilshere is hurt again
5. Wojciech Szczensy is hurt and Ospina is out already

The Good

1. The Ox is an engine
2. Giroud is back
3. Giroud looked great
4. Giroud scored a beautiful goal

My frustration with Danny Welbeck is uncontrollable. It’s a combination of things. He gets in good positions, he has excellent speed and skill but he just can’t put the ball in the back of the net. Whether that’s bad luck or his inability, I don’t know, but a striker’s primary responsibility is to put the ball in the back of the net and if he can’t do that, we need a different striker.

Oh look, Giroud is back.

More from Arsenal Match Reports

• 3 changes Mikel Arteta needs to make after Man City defeat
• A tough night for Arsenal Under-18s in the FA Youth Cup Final
• Does Emile Smith Rowe still have a future at Arsenal?
• Mikel Arteta’s in-game management cost Arsenal against West Ham
• How overconfidence cost Arsenal against West Ham

For once, I think that Arsene Wenger’s unbounded love for French players may pay off. Giroud will start, especially after that insane goal. It was a goal that no one else on that pitch could have accomplished.

I need to take a deep breath though. Arsenal played well. They did. They controlled the ball, they pelted David De Gea. Wilshere, Welbeck, Cazorla, the Ox, and Alexis all had excellent chances on goal but were just unable to capitalize.

Arsenal lead the EPL in chances created and it was obvious why. They have what it takes to do what’s needed and maybe with Giroud back, they’ll have that finisher they need. We’ll just have to wait and see yet again.

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