Arsenal: 4 talking points from 3-2 Manchester United defeat

Arsenal suffered a dreadful 3-2 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford in a Premier League clash that was theirs for the taking.

Emile Smith Rowe gave Arsenal the lead within 15 minutes with a well-taken strike, one that will go down as one of the most bizarre in Premier League history. David de Gea was on the ground clutching his foot after Fred has stood on him, leaving Smith Rowe to volley into the empty net.

After a lengthy VAR check, the goal was correctly given.

However, United responded with a goal just before half-time from Bruno Fernandes as he stroked home from Fred’s cutback after some sloppy defending from the Gunners.

4 talking points from Manchester United 3-2 Arsenal as Mikel Arteta’s side suffer Premier League defeat after Cristiano Ronaldo brace

After the break it didn’t take long for Cristiano Ronaldo to put the hosts in front when he too capitalised on some poor defending, before Martin Odegaard quickly leveled matters not long after as he smartly tucked home from Gabriel Martinelli’s cross.

Just as quickly as Odegaard was the hero, he became the villain. In a relatively comfortable position, the Norwegian inexplicably brought down Fred in the box to gift United a penalty that Ronaldo made no mistake in slamming home.

It was a poor night for Arsenal who were the better side for large spells, but lessons have not been learned. After going 1-0 the team sat back and invited pressure from United – and it undid them yet again.

There were plenty of talking points to come out of this one.

1. Super Gabriel Martinelli

One of the few who can hold their head high after tonight’s effort. Superb from the first minute to the last, his pace, energy, and willingness to close down were standout features.

In his last two outings, Martinelli has a goal and assist to his name and on this occasion he was Arsenal’s best player on the pitch.

His form now warrants a starting berth as he brought a new dimension to the Arsenal attack and was a constant threat at Old Trafford. The talk will be about a change at centre-forward, yet whatever capacity it is, and based on the idea of meritocracy, he needs to play.

His physicality and ability to win one-on-one tussles were also a highlight as often he would be up against Harry Maguire in his aerial duels. One of the only Arsenal players to hold his head up high tonight, when he got moved out to the left in the second half he looked lethal.

There was fire in his belly.

Continued on next page…