3 positives & negatives from pre-season defeat to Man Utd

After brushing aside the MLS All-Stars on Thursday, Arsenal were dealt a mini reality check on Saturday as they were soundly beaten 2-0 by Manchester United in New Jersey.

Mikel Arteta deployed the club’s three new arrivals from the outset for the very first time, but the Gunners failed to ignite as a pair of first-half errors saw an impressive Red Devils cruise to victory.

While it’s still early in the summer, Arsenal’s performance would’ve raised some concerns given their supposed personnel superiority over their undermanned opponents. But, it wasn’t all bad.

3 positives & negatives from the pre-season defeat to Man Utd

Here are three positives and negatives from Saturday’s defeat to United.

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Positive #1: Timber is a class act

The Dutchman impressed many with his cameo showing off the bench on Thursday, and supporters were excited to see him in Saturday’s starting XI. The multi-faceted defender performed the inverted function from right-back against United, often partnering Declan Rice in the midfield pivot.

However, Timber didn’t exclusively pop up in central zones as he also sought to influence proceedings high and wide down the right. One lovely reverse pass for Bukayo Saka should’ve led to the game’s opener after Saka found Gabriel Martinelli in the box.

The 22-year-old’s technical security is off the charts, and his press resistance was on full display against an aggressive United press at MetLife. He always looks in total control, and while he didn’t dominate Saturday’s bout, Timber already looks at ease within Arteta’s framework.

“With Jurrien, we are really pleased with his performance and the things we asked him to do,” the boss said post-match. “Obviously, he is adapting really quickly to the team, and you could see the confidence, the determination that he plays with.”

Negative #1: Other newbies struggle

While Timber impressed on his first Arsenal start, Rice and Kai Havertz endured difficult evenings. The pair started the contest alongside skipper Martin Odegaard in midfield, but both failed to impose themselves on proceedings.

Rice struggled to contain the excellent Bruno Fernandes, who ran off him to create an excellent early chance, while the Portuguese international was a pest without possession to ensure the £105m man couldn’t dictate the flow of the contest.

Rice looked a touch off the pace overall, while Havertz was physically overwhelmed by a robust United midfield. He drifted in and out of the contest, offering little in all phases. However, there was a glimpse of what the German could provide when he ghosted into the United box, but he headed over from Odegaard’s deft cross.

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