Positives & negatives from Arsenal's 1-1 draw with Man Utd

Positive #1: Declan Rice

While Trossard floundered, Rice took the fight to United. The engine in Arsenal's midfield was everywhere, tirelessly breaking forward to supplement a striker-less attack, as well as tracking back to fill any defensive gaps.

Rice wasn't just energy, all hustle and no end product. He made telling contributions at both ends of the pitch.

The most significant was his sweeping strike to equalise in the 73rd minute. It was a proper 'ave it! moment for Arsenal's £105m man.

His goal was sweet, but Rice may be prouder of the sliding challenge to deny United sub Rasmus Hojlund a tap-in at the other end.

This was true yeoman's work from Rice and also a reminder of his true value. A reminder's needed because there's a strange undercurrent of criticism that seems to follow Rice the moment his levels drop just a little bit.

The criticism isn't all about his gaudy price tag. It's more about the England international not always conforming to the overly-specialised definitions expected of the modern midfielder.

Rice doesn't play as an outright holding midfielder. Nor does he transition fully to an attacking remit.

What the 26-year-old does is play midfielder the way the position used to be played. He covers all areas of the pitch and checks off EVERY part of the job description.

What Rice needs more than a specific role is better support going forward. Sadly, that assistance remains in short supply because of how Arteta's built his squad.

Negative #2: Arteta's substitutions

When you bring on two left-backs while you're team is chasing a winning goal, you're saying something. Whether you mean to or not.

Arteta subbing on Myles Lewis-Skelly and Kieran Tierney ahead of Raheem Sterling said something. It spoke to the lack of attacking options for Arsenal.

The void has been created in part by injuries, but more by the way Arteta's composed his squad. This isn't an issue of tactics or a lack of funds from the board (do me a favour).

Instead, the problem stems from offloading four attacking players last summer, striker Eddie Nketiah, winger Reiss Nelson and playmakers Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira. Specifically, offloading them without sufficient replacements.

Sterling was supposed to fill in, but he's struggled to get off the bench. Part of it is the natural decline in the game of a player who's always had issues with technique.

Arteta was supposed to be the ideal manager to refine the rough edges, thanks to his experience working with Sterling for Manchester City. Once again though, reality hasn't met expectations.

It's hard to meet expectations in a squad built more to protect a point than progress to taking all three. Arteta has for too long ignored a simple maxim about football.

Namely, how attacking talent wins games. Tough defenders and tireless midfielders simply keep you in games long enough for the attacker to decide them. So you'd better have more than enough quality strikers and world-class creators.

At least the Gunners posses enough quality at the other end of the starting XI.

Continued on the next slide...