3 positives & negatives from dramatic Man Utd victory

Positive #2: Fighting until the end

One thing that nobody can deny about this current Arsenal team under Arteta is the fact that the players fight in every game until the very end. That has seen us score multiple late goals since the start of last season and was the reason that, despite the game still being 1-1 in the 95th minute, we came away with a 3-1 victory.

It would have been very easy for the players to attempt to secure the draw after United’s apparent late winner was ruled out, making sure to concede no more chances but sacrificing a potential win in the process.

But it is a testament to the mentality Arteta has weaved into the squad that not a single player considered doing so for even a moment, and instead, the fortuitous nature of the offside decision galvanised the side and propelled them to victory.

Negative #2: Too passive in the first half

Another negative from the match was the fact that, until Rashford scored the opener for the visitors, we were far too passive, both in our attacking play and our pressing from the front.

We saw plenty of the ball but struggled to turn that possession into clear-cut chances and appeared far too content with simply playing laterally, rather than vertically.

This has been a personal concern of mine since the opening day against Nottingham Forest, as the side currently seem to be lacking the attacking flair and fluidity we became accustomed to last term. Of course, it is still early days in the new campaign and there is still plenty of time for the players to click into gear – and perhaps this result will be the catalyst for that.

Continued on the next slide…