Third place in sight

Man United 1-1 Arsenal

Arsenal moved a step closer to securing a coveted third place finish with a crucial draw at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Having lost their previous game against Swansea, the Gunners knew that another loss to Manchester United would give their hosts the initiative in the race for third spot

and place immense pressure on Arsenal’s final two games of the season.

Unfortunately the desire to bounce back from that defeat to Swansea was severely lacking amongst the Arsenal ranks, during a first half in which Arsene Wenger’s side did not register a single shot, the first time that has happened in ten years. Arsenal were just not at the races as Manchester United pressured the visitors at every opportunity, hustling and harrying them, forcing the Gunners to abandon their passing game, instead attempting long balls over the top of the United defence for Giroud to chase and ultimately relinquishing possession far too easily.

As a result, Arsenal struggled to gain any sense of rhythm or momentum to their game and desperately struggled throughout an extremely disappointing first half. Wenger had picked the same starting line-up for the sixth game in a row and maybe regretted doing so with a number of players appearing to be in need of a rest to mentally refresh themselves. Chief amongst these was Santi Cazorla. The Spaniard has been a revelation since moving back to the deep lying midfield role alongside Francis Coquelin, however on Sunday, Cazorla was a shadow of the player who has propelled his side forward since the turn of the year, misplacing the simplest of passes time and time again and struggling desperately to impact the game.

It was only when Wenger replaced Cazorla with Jack Wilshere and moved Ramsey into the middle of the pitch, that Arsenal began to get themselves back into the game. Ramsey is far more comfortable in this central role than out wide and began to pull the strings from this position almost immediately.

Coquelin was also not at his best on Sunday, possibly as a result of having played by far the highest number of games at this level since he joined the club and he was partially at fault for the United goal. The Frenchman has been excellent at screening the back four in the second half of the season, recognising when to attack the ball and when to drop back. Unfortunately, one slip in concentration on Sunday allowed United to take advantage. As the ball was played into Fellaini, Coquelin should have taken a few steps back rather than charging forward and attempting to cut out the pass. Having failed to make contact with the ball, Coquelin was now effectively out of the game and Fellaini had space to attack the Arsenal defence. A pass to Ashley Young, saw the Englishman get a cross into the box and with Fellaini causing confusion with his mere presence, Ander Herrera was completely unmarked, to volley home, as Monreal had decided to double up on Fellaini rather than picking up the Spaniard at the back post.

Man United were far too comfortable during the first half, easily controlling the pace and the tempo of the game. However they did not go for the jugular and as a result, with the score only at 1-0, Arsenal were still in it.

Despite being below par, the Gunners could have scored in the first period thanks to errors amongst the United defence but the ball just did not fall their way. First Phil Jones got himself in a muddle but as he slipped, managed to get his head to the ball, diverting it onto Giroud’s foot and out for a goal kick, before Jones’ back pass almost caught the onrushing De Gea out, but the Spaniard reacted quickly to kick the ball away.  

As the game wore on, United were not able to maintain their high intensity pressing and began to drop back, allowing Arsenal time and space on the ball. The Gunners could therefore play passes around United and get at the hosts’ defence. There was a feeling that the goal would come as the Gunners began to fashion chances with the best of these falling to Giroud. The Frenchman showed great strength to turn Rojo in the box, but with the goal at his mercy, stretched for the ball as he slipped, allowing De Gea to make a simple save.

There was great relief amongst the players and supporters when the goal did eventually arrive in the 82^nd minute. Theo Walcott received a pass from Ramsey and drove towards the by-line. The Englishman created a bit of space for himself and attempted to cross the ball towards Giroud, but the cross deflected off Tyler Blackett and looped over Victor Valdes, who had replaced the injured De Gea, and into the corner of the net. It was no less than Arsenal deserved for a much improved second half display and despite the heavy deflection, should give Walcott a much needed boost of confidence, with the Englishman having clearly struggled since returning from  his long term injury.

Arsenal couldn’t manage to find a second in the closing stages and Wenger was clearly happy to settle for a draw, taking off Sanchez and replacing him with Flamini towards the end of the game. This was the first point Arsenal have managed to take home from Old Trafford in six years and it was also a point that leaves the Gunners in pole position for that third spot. A win against Sunderland in midweek will secure it, while a point will virtually do the same, given the Gunners superior goal difference. Although Wenger could be pleased with the second half response from his team, they once again effectively threw away the first half, putting in a mediocre performance as they had done against Swansea. The manager must ensure this does not become a trend for his side. Starting games well was a characteristic of their fine unbeaten run and Arsenal must return to this as quickly as possible because to win games in the Premier League, players need to perform at their best for the entire 90 minutes.