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Manchester United rediscover ‘happiness’ after twice battling from behind to hold in-form Arsenal

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MAN UNITED 2, ARSENAL 2

Manchester United produced the desire that Jose Mourinho had questioned as they twice came from behind to gain a spirited point against Arsenal at Old Trafford.

A much-improved performance, though, failed to produce victory as the Reds remained eighth in the table and eight points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea as they are now without a win in four Premier League games.

But it was a display that lifted spirits as United extended their unbeaten record to 12 home Premier League games since 2006 against the Gunners who stretched their unbeaten run to 20 games in all competitions.

In what was an enthralling and error-strewn game, United could conceivably have scored all four goals as Arsenal’s strikes could well go down as David De Gea and Marcos Rojo own goals.

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United’s manager could not fault his side’s display, explaining: “I am frustrated by the result, frustrated by our mistakes and more quality was needed, but I am happy with the spirit.

“We scored all four goals in a 2-2 draw, but shot ourselves through missed chances and defensive mistakes, but it was a fantastic performance, but we are punished every time we make a mistake.

“I am not happy with the result, but we needed happiness on the pitch.

“We played a team at the top of their moment and everything is going well for them.

“They are a team on a high against a team with so many problems and which shoots ourselves.”

Mourinho was delighted with his patched-up defence explaining he had “a lot of people in very difficult circumstances”.

He was referring to Eric Bailly and Rojo whose campaigns have been blighted by injury while Diogo Dalot and Matteo Darmian have seen little action.

And he believed in summer signing Dalot he has a player who can be United’s right back for the next 10 years.

Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku, Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata, nearly £250mm of signings, found themselves on the bench as Mourinho made seven changes from the side that started at Southampton on Saturday.

David De Gea, Nemanja Matic, Ander Herrera and Marcus Rashford were the only survivors.

There was a completely new back five of Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo, Diogo Dalot and Matteo Darmian.

Arsenal made only one change from Sunday’s derby win against Tottenham as Aaron Ramsey was preferred to Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

It was strange as this was the first time in 82 games since 1986 that neither Sir Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger were in charge of the two clubs.

United’s new-look side made a bright start with Rashford and Anthony Martial both shooting straight at keeper Bernd Leno as Gunners’ fans chanted they wanted Mourinho to stay.

But it was largely a case of the teams cancelling out one another as they both played 3-4-3 systems.

Arsenal made the breakthrough in the 26th minute after an uncharacteristic error from De Gea who allowed Mustafi’s downward header from Lucas Torreira’s corner to slip through his hands.

Herrera cleared the ball, but goalline technology ruled it crossed the line.

United were level five minutes later through Martial who was fouled 25 yards from goal.

Rojo’s excellent free kick, directed over the defensive wall, was well pushed out by Leno.

Herrera, however, was quick as a flash on to the loose ball that he cut back for Martial to fire home.

Arsenal were forced into a defensive reshuffle when Stalybridge’s Rob Holding was taken over on a stretcher with what looked a painful knee injury. He was replaced by Stephan Lichtsteiner.

The Gunners were forced to make a second change at the restart as Ramsey, who picked up a knock late in the opening period was replaced by Mkhitaryan.

Rojo forced Leno to turn his 30-yard drive over the crossbar as United looked to go ahead for the first time.

United’s first change just after the hour was enforced as Martial limped off to be replaced by Lukaku.

Arsenal’s third and final changes mid-half saw the introduction of £52m substitute Alexandre Lacazette.

And Lacazette was instrumental in Arsenal regaining the lead in the 68th minute as he seized on a poor pass from Rojo before taking a return pass from Mkhitaryan and firing past De Gea, though replays suggested it may have been Rojo who turned the ball past De Gea who was again left floundering.

United made it 2-2 straight from the restart in three passes as Darmian pumped a long ball upfield over Lukaku as Lingard ran through to score.

Arsenal twice came close to regaining the lead when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was twice denied by super saves from De Gea.

United made their last two changes when Rojo and Lingard made way for Pogba and Fellaini.

Arsenal were denied a last-minute winner when United old-boy Mkhitaryan had a goal ruled out for offside.

De Gea made a fine stop to keep out Torreira’s effort but Mkhitaryan had strayed offside as he found the net from what looked an impossible angle.

Manchester United 2, Arsenal 2 – Player Ratings

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MANCHESTER UNITED 2, ARSENAL 2

Manchester United fell further behind in the race for fourth place after coming from behind twice to secure a 2-2 draw against Arsenal at Old Trafford.

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Three draws and a defeat in their last 4 Premier League games have left the Reds 8 points behind Chelsea in fourth place after they fell to a surprising defeat at Wolves tonight. 

Two quick equalisers by Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard cancelled out goals by Shkodran Mustafi and Alexandre Lacazette in each half.

The Gunners lost Rob Holding to a serious knee injury and also Aaron Ramsey by half time but gave the Reds a fright with their attacking play only to be quickly pegged back by United each time.

Former United midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan thought he had won it for Arsenal in the 90th minute but was ruled offside after David De Gea had made another great save to keep the Reds in the game.

There was a tense finale to this match which was brought to life in the 26th minute when Arsenal took the lead and didn’t give up until the end with both managers barking out orders from the sidelines.

And what a finale – with few people choosing to try and beat the notorious Old Trafford traffic – most spectators stayed back to watch the drama unfold until the very end.

PLAYER RATINGS – Manchester United 2, Arsenal 2

David De Gea: 5. At fault for Mustafi’s header which caught him by surprise and crossed the line and slipped for Alexander Lacazette’s goal after Rojo’s attempt to rescue the matter made it worse. Two massive saves from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and a game saver from Torreira in the 90th minute after United equalised kept the Gunners from going ahead again.

Eric Bailly: 6. Tricky time up against Alex Iwobi.

Chris Smalling: 6. Stepped up to lead the defence with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang a constant danger.

Marcos Rojo: 5. Back after a long lay off but perhaps better going forward – his free kick led to United’s goal but then he gave the ball away for Arsenal’s second goal and might have been sent off trying to recover it as Alexandre Lacazette scored. Hauled off for Marouane Fellaini.

Diogo Dalot: 7. Rare run out for the youngster, mixed quality early on but grew into the game.

Nemanja Matic: 6. More at home in midfield. Booked early on.

Ander Herrera: 7. Laid on United’s equaliser by chasing down Leno’s parried save to put the ball back in for Anthony Martial to score. 

Matteo Darmian: 6. Out of position on the left but worked it well.

Jesse Lingard: 7. Occupying a deeper role but coming up against Torreira. Scored United’s second equaliser after pushing up.

Anthony Martial: 7. Early shot to test Bernd Leno, scored the qualiser with a predatory finish after Marcos Rojo’s free kick was saved but then recycled back into the box by Ander Herrera. Limped off.

Marcus Rashford: 7. Lively start, testing Arsenal defenders with his pace. Alost took

Romelu Lukaku (for Anthony Martial 63): 6. Gave United a greater aerial threat but could not convert that into goals.

Marouane Fellaini (for Marcos Rojo 72): 6. Shored up midfield.

Paul Pogba (for Jesse Lingard 75): 6. Was roared at by Mourinho – didn’t do much.

GOALS – Manchester United 2, Arsenal 2

Man Utd 0, Arsenal 1: 26. Lucas Torreira’s corner was headed into the ground by Shkodran Mustafi and bounced up, slipping out of David De Gea’s grasp, over his head and into the goal where Ander Herrera was too slow to clear off the line before goal line technology decreed the ball had already gone over the line.

Man Utd 1, Arsenal 1: 31. Anthony Martial stabbed in Ander Herrera’s cut back from 5 yards after the ball was palmed away by Bernd Leno following Marcos Rojo’s free kick. 

Man Utd 1, Arsenal 2: 68. Alexandre Lacazette benefited from a mistake by Marcus Rojo, exchanged passes with Henrikh Mkhitarian before slotting past David De Gea after Rojo tried to rectify his mistake with a dangerous looking challenge.

Man Utd 2, Arsenal 2: 69. Jesse Lingard restores parity again from the kick off after a massive punt upfield from the kick off which wasn’t dealt with by the Gunners defence – Sead Kolasinac got mixed up with Bernd Leno allowing Lingard to nip in and equalise 74 seconds after United conceded.

MATCH STATS – Manchester United 2, Arsenal 2

Man Utd: De Gea, Bailly, Smalling, Rojo (Fellaini 72), Dalot, Matic, Herrera, Darmian, Lingard (Pogba 75), Martial (Lukaku 63), Rashford 

Man Utd Subs not used: Romero, Mata, Valencia, McTominay

Booked: Rojo 38, Lingard 40, Matic 42

Goals: Martial 31, Lingard 69

Arsenal: Leno, Sokratis, Mustafi, Holding (Lichtsteiner 36), Bellerin, Torreira, Guendouzi, Kolasinac, Ramsey (Mkhitaryan 46), Iwobi (Lacazette 64), Aubameyang

Arsenal Subs not used: Cech, Elneny, Maitland-Niles, Nketiah

Booked: Mustafi 37, Bellerin 41, Torreira 86

Goals: Mustafi 26, Lacazette 68

Attendance: 74,507

Manchester City outclass new look Arsenal in good start to their title defence

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ARSENAL 0, MANCHESTER CITY 2

Goals by Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva ensured that Manchester City got their title defence off to a winning start at the Emirates against Arsenal.

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New Arsenal boss Unai Emery, their first new boss for 22 years, had never beaten Pep Guardiola in 10 previous meetings and Arsenal were hit by a first half injury to Ainsley Maitland-Niles but were already 1-0 down to a Sterling strike and Silva doubled that in the second half as the Gunners looked weak down their flanks.

Guardiola made three changes from the comfortable win in the Community Shield last weekend. Ederson, Raheem Sterling, and Ilkay Gundogan comes into the side with Claudio Bravo, Phil Foden, and Leroy Sane dropping to the bench.

Riyad Mahrez made his full debut for City while Benjamin Mendy was making his first Premier League start for City since September 23 last year in an injury hit season and City started the way they intended to continue.

It might have been a new look Arsenal but there were some similar failings from the Arsene Wenger years despite the strong fan support.

Petr Cech was tested by Raheem Sterling early on from close range as City started where they left off, targeting makeshift full back Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

Sterling didn’t have to wait long for his first goal of the season after a barren World Cup after taking on the ball from Mendy.

The tricky winger fired in a solid strike from the edge of the area beating Cech with just 14 minutes gone after going past Hector Bellerin and Guendouzi before beating the veteran keeper who may have been unsighted by Sokratis Papastathopoulos.

Sokratis was almost responsible for an own goal minutes later after some shaky defending which had the Emirates holding its collective breath.

Bellerin was denied by Ederson after the Gunners full back had beaten Mendy before City countered and Sergio Aguero hit the side netting. 

Aguero was brought down by Sokratis in the D – to give City a dangerous set piece from which Cech saved Mahrez’s free kick and then tipped away Aymeric Laporte’s follow-up to deny City a second. 

Mahrez also sent a left footed shot wide as City were wasteful when presented good chances to extend their lead.

Arsenal were hit by a first half injury to Maitland-Niles, which meant veteran Stephen Lichtsteiner made an unexpected debut for the Gunners.

There was very little on for Arsenal until a wayward shot by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang just before the break.

Manchester City finish off Arsenal with stunning Bernardo Silva strike

The Gunners were coming back into the game in the second half with Alexandre Lacazette shooting just wide after coming on.

By this time Aguero was on a mission to get on the score sheet – pouncing on a mistake by Guendouzi and galloping down the field, but failing to spot a free De Bruyne waiting for the square ball – instead seeing his shot saved by Cech.

No matter though, as Bernardo Silva lashed in City’s second goal from 12 yards out into the top corner after 64 minutes shortly afterwards following a cut back by Mendy – it the was Portuguese midfielder’s fifth goal in his last seven Premier League starts for City.

The Gunners had the ball in the back of the net but Aubameyang was flagged offside after a ball over the top by substitute Lucas Torreira.

Things might have looked bleak for the Gunners but most of them refused to lie down, however they won’t have liked the sight of Gabriel Jesus coming on to replace Aguero for the last few minutes.

A rare mistake by Ederson allowed Ozil a chance to create something but the Brazilian rescued his own error by rushing out to prevent the German from creating a chance as Aubameyang was too casual with his lay off for him.

City had been wasteful and Mendy should have put the finishing touches to the win but Cech was there to collect a tam effort while Arsenal had another goal ruled out for an Ozil offside while the German put Mkhitaryan through for a shot which was blocked.

Cech almost handed a tap-in to Jesus in the dying minutes while De Bruyne took a pot shot late on but the game ended with a satisfactory three points for City on the road.

MATCH STATS – Arsenal 0, Man City 2

Arsenal: Cech, Bellerin, Papastathopoulos, Mustafi, Maitland-Niles (Lichtsteiner 35), Guendouzi, Xhaka (Torreira 70), Mkhitaryan, Ramsey (Lacazette 54), Ozil, Aubameyang

Arsenal Subs not used: Leno, Elneny, Holding, Iwobi

Booked: Sokratis 27, Xhaka 53

Man City: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Laporte, Mendy, Bernardo Silva, Fernandinho, Gundogan, Mahrez (De Bruyne 60), Aguero (Jesus 79), Sterling (Sane 87)

Man City Subs not used: Bravo, Kompany, Otamendi, Foden

Booked: Sterling 4, De Bruyne 73

Goals: Sterling 14, Bernardo Silva 64

Arsene Wenger wins his last match as Arsenal manager at Huddersfield Town

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HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 0, ARSENAL 1

How apt it was that the last match in charge of Arsenal for Arsene Wenger would end in that most Arsenal of scorelines, as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s first half strike sealed the Gunners’ first away points of the year in a 1-0 win at Huddersfield Town.

The John Smith’s Stadium was the venue for Arsene Wenger’s 1235th and final game in charge of Arsenal and Huddersfield Town, whose Premier League safety was confirmed after a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea in midweek, after a scoreless draw at the Etihad against Manchester City were determined to give the Frenchman a good send off after his final bow to the travelling Gunners fans prior to the match.

Town made four changes from the side that drew at Chelsea, with Tom Ince, Alex Pritchard, Steve Mounie, and Florent Hadergjonaj coming into the side as Tommy Smith, Philip Billing, Rajiv van La Parra, and Laurent Depoitre stepped down.

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Wenger left Jack Wilshere out of his final Arsenal squad while Mesut Ozil remained absent and Aaron Ramsay was named captain with Per Mertesacker on the bench.

The Terriers were determined to make a good start, and with three aeroplanes buzzing the John Smith’s Stadium trailing banners saying: “One Arsene Wenger – Arsenal Legend”, “Merci Arsene – We’ll Miss You Too” and late in the second half an independent banner read “Kroenke you’re next!!” it was the home side who looked the more likely to score until well after the 22nd minute when the whole stadium rose as one to their feet to celebrate Wenger’s 22 years in charge of the Gunners.

Steve Mounie’s header was saved on his goal line by David Ospina, after a deep cross from Florent Hadergjonaj while Pritchard’s delivery into the box proved equally as troubling to the Arsenal defence.

Tom Ince should have profited from one of Pritchard’s efforts but the winger, who has only scored twice this term, snatched at his shot and blazed over after 11 minutes, sending another one wide three minutes later under pressure.

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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was Arsenal’s main goal threat but he could only muster a tame effort early on and was robbed by Ince in one of his more dangerous moments.

Town were proving hard to break down for the visitors, a Henrikh Mkhitaryan free kick from 20 yards came off the stout Terriers wall while Aaron Ramsay could only slice a shot well wide from a corner routine that was cleared to him by Zanka. 

Although the Gunners did pick up towards the end of the first half they were thwarted and stifled by the Terriers’ defensive performance.

And a slick move started by Henrikh Mkhitaryan saw Alexandre Lacazette’s through ball deflect to Aaron Ramsay whose quickly pinged in cross from the left was stabbed in from close range by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at the far post in the 38th minute.

The Gabon striker’s 10th goal for Arsenal got them on their way but while the Gunners retained the upper hand in the second period the pace had notably dropped for a period.

The home crowd were encouraged when Hadergjonaj’s cross found Mounie in acrobatic mood with an attempted overhead kick.

Ince missed another golden opportunity to equalise after he was released by Prichard following a crossfield pass by Hadergjonaj – Ospina made the save and that was Ince’s last action after he was replaced by the more direct Laurent Depoitre in the 61st minute.

The Gunners were couldn’t rest as the Terriers picked themselves up and troubled them with crosses into the area and set pieces as they sought an equaliser.

Wenger made three changes to try and get a reaction from his players – with Danny Welbeck, Nacho Monreal and Ainsley Maitland-Niles coming in.

Town lost Mounie to injury, bringing on Philip Billing to replace him 12 minutes from time, and the Gunners started to take advantange of the tiring Terriers.

Jonas Lossl denied Lacazette after Mkhitaryan had put him through. Lossl also blocked a chance by Welbeck after Zanka had lost the ball, while Granit Xhaka’s long range effort flew wide of the goal.

Aaron Mooy’s 88th minute shot shaved the bar after Chris Lowe’s cross was controlled by Hadergjonaj with Town fans still applauding the introduction of veteran midfielder Dean Whitehead for Jonathan Hogg.

There was late drama for Town as a free kick deep into injury time by Mooy was headed goalwards by Depoitre but Ospina preserved the points with a fine save.

Huddersfield Town vs Arsenal MATCH FACTS

Huddersfield Town: Lossl, Hadergjonaj, Zanka, Schindler, Kongolo, Lowe, Hogg (Whitehead 87), Mooy, Pritchard, Ince (Depoitre 61), Mounie (Billing 79)

Huddersfield Town Subs not used: Coleman, Smith, Sabiri, Stankovic

Booked: Zanka 90+3

Arsenal: Ospina, Bellerin, Mustafi, Holding, Kolasinac (Monreal 68), Xhaka, Ramsey, Iwobi (Maitland-Niles), Mkhitaryan, Aubameyang (Welbeck 67), Lacazette 

Arsenal Subs not used: Macey, Mertesacker, Willock, Nketiah 

Goal: Aubameyang 38

24,121 attendance at Huddersfield Town as they secure a 16th place finish in the Premier League

Manchester United guarantee Champions League football following home win against Arsenal

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MAN UNITED 2, ARSENAL 1

MAROUANE Fellaini’s injury-time winner guaranteed Champions League football for Manchester United, but ended Arsenal’s slender hopes of a top-four finish.

It was also Arsene Wenger’s last visit to Old Trafford as Gunners’ manager and his 60th game against the Reds was one of the most lukewarm.

Long gone are the days of tunnel dust ups and on-the-field brawls as this game lacked the passion and intensity of previous encounters.

United did just enough to beat a depleted Arsenal – seven of their big hitters weren’t risked with the Europa League game at Atletico Madrid four days away.

Goals from Paul Pogba and Fellaini ensured United cannot be caught for a top-four place as they remain second in the table.

And Wenger’s miserable record at Old Trafford continued as this was his 11th league visit without a win.

Wenger has also come out second best to Jose Mourinho in head-to-head clashes as he has managed only two wins in 19 attempts.

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United’s manager was happy with his side’s display for the last 20 minutes, describing the first 70 as “slow thinking and lacking intensity”.

Once Arsenal equalised, Mourinho said: “After that the players, myself and the fans reacted.

“In the end we got the goal we deserved because of the last 20 minutes.”

If United finish runner-up, it will be the first time in five years since Sir Alex Ferguson retired that they have been so high.

Mourinho described that as progress, but not enough be to be champions and win the Champions League.

The Reds’ manager added he is hopeful the out-of-contract Fellaini will remain at Old Trafford.

Wenger was happy with his young players, saying: “We had a very young side, but it was a positive performance.

“The players are distraught as they gave me everything only to lose in the last minute.

“It was a negative result, but a positive performance, but that is football.”

Wenger appreciated the presentation before kick off joking it was the first time he had been awarded with a trophy before a game describing the gesture by the Reds as “classy”.

And of the warm reception he received from United fans, he joked: “It shows that once you are no longer a danger, people love you.”

Victor Lindelof replaced Phil Jones, the one change from the FA Cup semi-final win against Tottenham.

Wenger made a raft of changes for his final game at Old Trafford as his eyes were clearly on their Europa League semi final return at Atletico Madrid. There was no Alexandre Lacazette, Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsay and Jack Wilshere while Petr Cech, Nacho Monreal and Danny Welbeck were on the bench.

Greek U21 international Konstantinos Mavropanos became the 200th player to be handed his Premier League debut by Wenger who also gave starts to youngsters Reiss Nelson and Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

Wenger was given warm applause by the United fans on his way to the technical area for the final time as Arsenal manager, a contrast to the abuse he had previously been subjected to.

And Sir Alex Ferguson made a presentation to Wenger pre-match which was followed by a warm embrace with Mourinho as well as previous animosities were forgotten. This was Wenger’s 60th match against United as Gunners’ manager.

After an uneventful opening, United made a 16th minute breakthrough with their first clear-cut chance following a move started and finished by Pogba.

He made a powerful burst before releasing Romelu Lukaku whose far-post cross was met by Alexis Sanchez whose close-range header was deflected by Hector Bellerin on to the post only to rebound to Pogba who fired into the rood of the net for his sixth goal of the season.

It prompted a chorus from United fans pleading for Wenger to stay while Gunners’ fans retorted they had previously won the league at Old Trafford as the light-hearted banter continued.

Former United player Henrikh Mkhitaryan came close to equalising when his shot rolled agonisingly wide.

Ashley Young came close to making it 2-0 five minutes before the break when his angled cross from the left struck the near upright with keeper David Ospina beaten.

United made an early change in the second half when Lukaku picked up a knock and was replaced by Marcus Rashford.

Arsenal equalised in the 51st minute when Mkhitaryan marked his return to Old Trafford with goal.

United lost possession in midfield after a mix-up between Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic and the ball was played to Mkhitaryan who broke and found the net with a low shot that went through the legs of Lindelof as keeper David De Gea didn’t move as he was evidently unsighted.

Mkhitaryan, who had an unsuccessful stint with the Reds, didn’t celebrate out of respect for his former club.

United made their final two changes mid-half as Jesse Lingard and Herrera were replaced by Anthony Martial and Marouane Fellaini.

And the Reds thought they had snatched victory in the 89th minute only for Rashford’s effort to be ruled out by the assistant referee’s flag.

Fellaini headed Martial’s cross against the upright and Rashford bundled in the rebound.

But the big Belgium was not be be denied in the first of four minutes of added time when he scored the winning goal.

Young whipped in a cross from the left and Fellaini’s far-post header looped over Ospina, though by that time many of United’s fans had long departed Old Trafford.