Arsenal 1 Manchester United 1 Match Report, Match Reaction & Extended Match Highlights
28th April 2013 by Jeff @ArsenalTrend Edited by Gordon @Arsenal_Supremo
Wenger told Sky Sports after the final whistle: "From the first to the last minute, it was two teams giving absolutely everything to win.
"We gave everything and, at the end of the day, the regret you have is the way we conceded the goal. Just before half-time, that was a serious blow to us."
1. Laurent Koscielny won 100% of his 5 tackles against Manchester United and made more interceptions than any other player (7)
2. Arsenal are yet to lose in the Premier League this season when they have taken the lead in a game (W18 D2).
3. Only Arsenal (18) have scored more goals in the final 15 minutes of matches than Manchester United (15) this season.
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Edit by @TheGunnersWay  The draw meant Arsenal was dislodged from third place by Chelsea, which beat Swansea 2-0 as it looks to secure one of the top four Champions League qualification spots. And United, which is yet to be presented with the Premier League trophy, now cannot surpass Chelsea's record tally of 95 points with three games left. What made Van Persie's return to Arsenal more galling for the home fans was the fact he has won the league in his first season when they haven't seen the trophy lifted since 2004 when they were still playing at the nearby Highbury. In fact the Gunners haven't won anything since the 2005 FA Cup in Van Persie's first season with the team. The striker is so accustomed to the north London club that he attempted to walk into the home dressing room by mistake before Sunday's game, and then slapped his head as he realized his mistake. Whether it was a genuine mistake or a prank, Van Persie has had the last laugh. Tradition dictated that the Arsenal players lined the pitch next to the tunnel to welcome United, which clinched its 20th English title on Monday with a victory over Aston Villa. Such respect ended immediately after kickoff. And it will have be pleasing for Arsenal that it was Van Persie who gave the ball away in midfield so quickly, and Tomas Rosicky then picked out Walcott, who smashed in a low shot past goalkeeper David De Gea. The hosts, with a Champions League place to fight for, were playing the slicker more incisive football. And as they pushed for another goal, Santi Cazorla tried his luck from distance, drawing a save from De Gea. Arsenal was exerting the control so lacking at times in this season, which saw the team get off to its worst start since Arsene Wenger took charge in 1996. United, meanwhile, seemed sluggish after the week's title celebrations. When Van Persie worked his way down the left and sent in a cross, the finish was weak from Phil Jones, whose header missed the target.  As the encounter heated up, Van Persie was booked for a sliding challenge on Per Mertesacker, and United defender Evra squared up to Walcott. Van Persie was first denied a goal when his close-range header from Evra's cross was blocked by goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny rushing off his line to make the save with his face But then it was Van Persie's turn to capitalize on a mistake as he intercepted Sagna's poor back pass and raced clear into the area, where the defender brought him down with a sliding challenge in the 44th. Van Persie was clinical from the spot, but his celebrations were muted as he reached 25 league goals for a second successive season. He also scored against Arsenal at Old Trafford and equalized his feat from last season when he also scored in both fixtures between the teams - although that time for Arsenal.  Only Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry and Robbie Fowler have had consecutive 25-goal season in the Premier League according to the stats. Arsenal, though, made an assertive start to the second half, with Rosicky curling wide inside a minute. But they couldn't produce a winner. United was denied by poor finishing and Szczesny blocking Wayne Rooney's downward header. De Gea preserved the point for United late on by tipping Cazorla's powerful shot wide. This result throw the 3rd and 4th spot wide open again with the edge going back to Chelsea and Spurs with a game in hand over Arsenal. It also means the fight for the remaining two Champions League spot will likely go down to the last games of the season. Arsenal will now have to win their next game at Lotfus Road against already relegated QPR side, in order not to lose sight. Mathematically, if the Gunners go on to win their remaining three fixtures, one of the spot is guaranteed as Chelsea and Tottenham still to face each other. Tottenham welcomes Southampton to White Hart Lane next Saturday, while Chelsea travels to Old Trafford to face Manchester United, Sunday evening. Teams Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Rosicky (Wilshere 62), Arteta, Walcott, Ramsey (Oxlade-Chamberlain 78), Cazorla, Podolski (Gervinho 71) Subs not used: Mannone, Vermaelen, Monreal, Jenkinson Booked: Sagna, Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain Goal: Walcott 2 Manchester United: De Gea, Rafael (Anderson 73), Evra, Jones, Ferdinand, Evans, Valencia, Carrick, Nani (Giggs 83), Rooney (Hernandez 87), Van Persie Subs not used: Lindegaard, Buttner, Cleverley, Kagawa Booked: Rafael, Jones, Van Persie, Evans, Valencia Goal: Van Persie 44 pen Referee: Phil Dowd Attendance: 60,112 Theo Walcott Post Match Reaction "We have just got to concentrate on ourselves. We cannot keep on relying on other teams. "As long as we get the three points and do not drop any points, that is all we can do. "Hopefully, come the end of the season, we have kept that undefeated run of games. We need to make sure we are definitely there (in the top four)." |
Arsene Wenger Post Match Reaction
Wenger told Sky Sports after the final whistle: "From the first to the last minute, it was two teams giving absolutely everything to win.
"We gave everything and, at the end of the day, the regret you have is the way we conceded the goal. Just before half-time, that was a serious blow to us."
Match Stats & Facts
2. Arsenal are yet to lose in the Premier League this season when they have taken the lead in a game (W18 D2).
3. Only Arsenal (18) have scored more goals in the final 15 minutes of matches than Manchester United (15) this season.
4. Arsenal are the only team in the Premier League with 3 players in double figures for goals (excl pens). Giroud 11, Walcott 12, Cazorla 12
5. Only three teams have conceded more penalties than Arsenal (six). The three teams are Villa, Norwich & Wigan all with seven each.
6. Arsenal have the joint-most errors leading to goals this season (14 along with Wigan) and six penalties conceded
7. Match Statistics : Arsenal v Man Utd Shots 19-12 On target 6-4, Fouls 11-12 Duels Won 47%-53%, Pass Accuracy 81%-83%, Possession 52%-48%
Gary Neville and Graeme Souness on the race for Europe
Gary Neville and Graeme Souness on the race for Europe
What are your opinions on the game? Is it time for Sagna to leave the club after another inconsistent performance? What did you make of Podolski upfront? Do you still believe we will make it into Champions League Next Season? Join in with our Arsenal community, we have connected with the Disqus comment system and now easier for you to comment on our posts to connect and talk with the Arsenal fans and when you get a reply to one of your comments you will get a notification Login using your social networks plugins or if you don't want to leave your name you can sign in as a guest.
Best start for a long time from Arsenal with an early goal , we should of scored a few more when were on top in the first half but a crucial mistake by Sagna changed the whole match. Shame we couldnt get the 3 points as we lacked the killer instinst in front of goal. Still think we have the edge to make it into the top 4 as Chelsea and Spurs still have to play each other.
ReplyDeleteNext up QPR Away
COYG!
Nice post blogs, and the stat on how we have conceded the most goals from errors and are on top on penalties conceded are points of concern. If we were not on top of this list do you have any idea what our points tally / goal difference would've been?
ReplyDeleteSagna has generally had a poor season, and I think he has lost a yard or so of pace and may be better suited to play as a CB. He give 100% commitment on the pitch, and the fact that he ran back and committed the foul on RVP after his poor back pass just shows how he shouldered the blame / responsibility of that. However he should've just tried to get his body in the way of the cross, because I felt both Per and Kos were pretty much in the zone with their game and would've made a clearance. But of course unlike us the players do not have the benefit of hindsight and retrospect.
I would like to see this intensity and momentum carry forward to our remaining games, we need all 9 points and we need to do it convincingly. Our defense has really got its act together now and I hope we continue this fine run of form, with a little more clinical finishing and aggression up front as well (more shots and less passes).
we played realy well, the only thing we lack is the class striker, because we are making so many passes and one twos in their penalty box that we end up losing the ball; otherwise the team's attitude is impressive.I have a good feeling for next season challenging the title if we buy 2-3 quality players.
ReplyDeleteKoscielny showed how effective he can be yesterday. Really impressed by his performance. I think that whilst Mertesacker puts in consistently solid performances, if we want to challenge next season Vermaelen needs to find his old form. He's been pretty disappointing this season, but when he is on form he is amongst the very top bracket of CBs in the PL.
ReplyDeleteQPR next, want to see the same team start with the exception of maybe Sagna who should perhaps make way for Jenkinson.
COYG
nee to have that killer instinct in front goal needs to be improved on next season hopefully with a big signing
ReplyDelete