Arsenal Vs Manchester United: 5 things we learned – Unai Emery out?

3. A missed opportunity?

Manchester United are not very good. But no one apparently told Unai Emery.

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Their midfield consisted of Scott McTominay, who was, depressingly, the best player on the pitch, Paul Pogba, who floated through the match and did not look fit, and Jesse Lingard. Throw in Andrea Perreira on the right-wing and two reserve full-backs, as well as an unfit Marcus Rashford leading the line with Anthony Martial on the bench and you are left with a highly unconvincing side.

But Arsenal played extremely conservatively. Emery used three industrious, defensive central midfielders to shield the back four, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was left wholly isolated, and possession seemed like a rare gift, not something to be prioritised and worked towards.

This was a real chance to make a statement in the top-four race. Arsenal had superior players available. Emery had the chance to be aggressive, play on the front foot, and prove what this squad is capable of. And he purposefully squandered it. More than anything else, that is extremely disappointing.