Manchester United’s biggest problem is Arsenal’s gain

In this long and winding season, one that has almost blossomed into its own miniature campaign since the winter break, there will come moments where Arsenal fans take little notice of the results.

Tottenham went to Leeds, for example, and nobody held out much hope for a home win on account of the shambolic defending Elland Road has dished up with regularity. Similarly, focus this weekend shifted elsewhere when Manchester United hosted Watford. The reason for that being…well, one need only look at the table.

The comeback win over Wolves kept Arsenal well in the hunt for a top four finish in the Premier League, and crucially came at a moment when two of their main rivals had fixtures of a far more winnable nature on the weekend.

So for United to lose even more ground in the chase for Champions League football came as an almighty slip-up against a team who look for all the world as ticket up from the Championship last season was a return fare.

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Manchester United’s biggest problem is Arsenal’s gain as Cristiano Ronaldo and co drop more points against Watford in Premier League

There are problems galore at Old Trafford, the like which has contributed to them signing Cristiano Ronaldo because they couldn’t let him go to Man City, for example, but for current results it rests all on their players.

Which is to Arsenal’s huge gain.

Drawing a blank against the Hornets at home, United registered 22 shots and recorded 2.53 xG without finding the back of the net. While hiring a manager who’d only managed one season of top-flight football in the past decade might come across as move to criticise, only the most delusional supporter of the club will place the blame on his shoulders.

You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink.

Three draws in their last five Premier League matches, during which time they have recorded 7.23 xG and scored just two goals, is severely damaging their aspirations this season. Arsenal are being handed an invitation to the wedding of someone they’ve never met and been given four additional +1’s.

That’s now a two-point lead they have over Arsenal with Mikel Arteta’s side boasting a full three games in hand. As unhealthy as it is to hypothesise, there is a seven-point gap waiting to be opened.

Based on United’s daunting upcoming fixtures – Man City, Tottenham, Atletico, Liverpool, Leicester, Everton – it’s a lead that could possibly even be extended.

There is a group of players up at Old Trafford playing hideously below their potential. It’s absolutely spectacular. Contrast that to what Arteta is building, a side pushing themselves and others to the best form in their individual careers, and you’ve got two rivals fighting for a spot in the table with the most contrasting dispositions imaginable.