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.

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2. Mohamed Elneny Was Not Arsenal’s Biggest Problem

When the team sheet dropped and Arsenal fans saw Mohamed Elneny starting, you could hear the collective moans and groans.

Arteta has been known to drop a few shocks here and there and his decision to field someone with 59 minutes of Premier League football all season long rated high among them. Not least since Sambi Lokonga had played so brilliantly last time out against Newcastle.

However, the Egyptian was by far not Arsenal’s worst problem on the night. Neat and tidy in possession, Elneny barely put a foot wrong as he anchored the midfield to allow Thomas Partey to go about his business. Whatever that business may have been.

Bursting with energy and endeavour, while there were some mistakes in his game, having been out of the team for so long he deserves some slack being cut.

While his future is away from the Emirates, Elneny did his job tonight and his commitment never dipped. Was rather progressive with his passes as well, trying to get Arsenal moving in the right direction.

Overall, he was solid in what was a poor night for the Gunners. Far from the biggest issue.

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3. Arsenal Have Still Not Learned Their Lesson

The Crystal Palace game was meant to be a steep learning opportunity: Arsenal went a goal up, as they did at Old Trafford, and sat back and invited pressure and ultimately had to force a draw with a late Lacazette strike.

Arsenal did not learn their lesson as they did the exact same thing tonight. Not just tonight either, but in near enough every occasion where they’ve taken a lead in games this season.

After going ahead inside 15 minutes, the Gunners dropped off yard after yard, allowed United to have possession and invited pressure, the like of which eventually told. This was a game state screaming out for Arsenal to attack United. They are a bang average football team. They can’t defend.

Instead, the 1-0 lead was treated like a 4-0 advantage.

It is, hopefully, another steep learning curve for this young team as United was so clearly there for the taking. However, for one reason or another, Arteta and his Arsenal side played far too conservatively and it cost them three very achievable points.

The manager has to take blame for letting his players adopt this mindset, yet it is clearly not a tactic he is employing and instead a mental barrier the players simply can’t overcome.

It’s instinctive. But most of all, damaging.

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4. Time To Make a Call on Aubameyang

This pains me to say as he is the Arsenal captain, but a decision needs to be made on the 32-year-old. A few occasions is now growing into a biweekly trend.

Aubameyang was virtually anonymous leading the line tonight, and when a chances did present themselves they was either fluffed or tamely struck towards De Gea.

Whether he needs to be dropped for a game or two to get that kick up the backside, or to simply be left out and be forced to make his way back, something needs to be done.

Arsenal needed a target man at Old Trafford as they sat off and although that is not Aubameyang’s game, a more physical presence is needed. He couldn’t have held up a piece of paper in Thursday night. Nothing stuck.

Arsenal have been in the market for a new striker and it might be time to move on from a player who has been a great servant, but productivity is severely lacking now and a decision might have to be made. The centre-forward in this team can’t be this ineffective. Not in games like these.

Martinelli is waiting in the wings.