3 players that impressed in the defeat to Manchester United

Perhaps surprisingly, the performances of the players were not as prominent a discussion as some might’ve expected on Sunday afternoon as Arsenal suffered their first defeat of the season at Old Trafford.

The refereeing has been discussed ad nauseum as has the manager’s poor in-game management.

When diving into the actual match, several players were off the pace. Arsenal’s dominance did not bear fruit as they could not make their superiority count as much as they should have. Some of those on the pitch will need to reflect on their poor showings before bouncing back quickly.

3 players that can hold their heads high after United loss

Even in a 3-1 loss, there are a few players who deserve credit for their performances. Here are three of those players who can hold their heads high after a bitter loss against Manchester United.

3. Oleksandr Zinchenko

Facing a race against time to get back into the starting lineup for United, Oleksandr Zinchenko’s effect on the side cannot be overstated. In a matter of weeks, the left back has completely changed the way Arsenal play. His technical security and press resistance allow him to take up positions in midfield while his crisp passing ensures Arsenal efficiently progresses up the pitch.

Against United, Zinchenko allowed the left-hand side to be restored to its fluid attacking glory. Granit Xhaka, Gabriel Martinelli and Zinchenko interchanged effectively. The left back’s presence raises the technical level of the squad noticeably.

Some may argue that he should have been more aware of Antony’s presence for the first goal. Such is the double-edged sword of Zinchenko. He provides structure and security in possession and his qualities on the ball are invaluable to the way the team plays. His defensive lapses, however, are something to be expected from time to time. All fans can do is hope his contributions further up the pitch outweigh his difficulties in the defensive third.

Against Manchester United, they certainly did.

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