With Champions League qualification already ensured for both teams, this was a game which could potentially decide the fate of which team finishes 3rd.
Arsenal entered into this game on the back of not scoring in 2 consecutive home games and a dreadful record in Manchester United. However Arsenal had already played at Old Trafford this season and well, managed to knock them out thanks to that guy Welbz!
No Danny this time as he missed out through injury, along with Chambo. United were without Rooney and Carrick coming into this game.
Arsenal named the same side for the 6th consecutive time. The first time in 20 odd years.
Ospina continued in goal, with Bellerin and Nacho as the full backs. Mertesacker partnered Koscielny at the centre of defence. Coquelin and Cazorla started in deep lying roles with Ozil in an advanced position. Giroud, the lone frontman.
FIRST HALF
Arsenal continued to play like they did the last 2 times in Manchester, by allowing the hosts dominate possession.
Ashley Young as always seemed like Cristiano Ronaldo causing a lot of problems with his dribbling and crossing abilities.
Alexis had a half chance on the counter early on but was bundled off the ball on the edge of the area, and chances remained at a premium for both sides throughout a cagey first half.
United took the lead, via a cross from that man Young. It was a disappointing goal to concede as Young escaped down the left and dinked over a ball to the far post. Herrera was waiting in acres of space and had time to pick his spot and volley past Ospina at his near post.
Arsenal could not muster any opportunities and it finished 1-0 at half time.
SECOND HALF
United continued to dominate possession and Arsenal were holding back. Arsenal needed to step up the tempo and they did with a half chance falling to Giroud which he could not take cleanly.
The France international had the Gunners’ best opening of the game just after the hour mark when he rolled Rojo in the area but scuffed his shot with just De Gea to beat.
Rojo then denied Ramsey a shot with a last ditch tackle.
Alexis picked Ramsey out with a brilliant ball, Ramsey then beat De Gea, but could not hit the ball into the net after Rojo again came to United's rescue by clearing the ball and preventing an open goal for Ramsey.
Walcott, on as a substitute, received a brilliant pass from Ramsey, went past Blackett and fired a cross across goal. The hapless Blackett deflected that into his own goal to give Arsenal a well deserved equalizer.
It was no more than they deserved and with United rocking, Giroud twice had openings as he firstly hit the sidenetting before miscontrolling in the area moments later.
It finished as a draw, with a point perhaps gained for Arsenal and prevented United from the big 3 points they needed to put pressure for 3rd.
PLAYER RATINGS
13: David Ospina (6.5): Could not do much about the goal.
39: Hector Bellerin (6): Was constantly got past by Young. Should have more composure in dealing with a player like Young.
6: Laurent Koscielny (7): Did not really have much to do against Falcao, but for one really well timed last ditch tackle to deny the Colombian.
4: Per Mertesacker (6.5): Again not much to do.
18: Nacho Monreal (6): Should have been better positioned to deny Herrera a clear chance of a volley.
34: Francis Coquelin (6.5): Did OK.
19: Santi Cazorla (6): Seems to be losing form at the wrong moment for us fans.
16: Aaron Ramsey (7.5): Was excellent once shifted to centre, could have scored 2. But did give the pass to Walcott that resulted in a goal.
17: Alexis Sanchez (6): Again rather poor from the Chilean.
11: Mesut Ozil (6): Did not seem to be into the game at all.
12: Olivier Giroud (6): Again struggled to get a hold in the game.
SUBSTITUTES:
10: Jack Wilshere (6.5): Him and Jack in midfield seemed a treat to watch.
14: Theo Walcott (6.5): Glimpses of the Theo of old, with direct running, his cross was deflected in for our goal.
16: Mathieu Flamini (N/A): Long time since we saw the lad to be honest.
Arsenal entered into this game on the back of not scoring in 2 consecutive home games and a dreadful record in Manchester United. However Arsenal had already played at Old Trafford this season and well, managed to knock them out thanks to that guy Welbz!
No Danny this time as he missed out through injury, along with Chambo. United were without Rooney and Carrick coming into this game.
Arsenal named the same side for the 6th consecutive time. The first time in 20 odd years.
Ospina continued in goal, with Bellerin and Nacho as the full backs. Mertesacker partnered Koscielny at the centre of defence. Coquelin and Cazorla started in deep lying roles with Ozil in an advanced position. Giroud, the lone frontman.
FIRST HALF
Arsenal continued to play like they did the last 2 times in Manchester, by allowing the hosts dominate possession.
Ashley Young as always seemed like Cristiano Ronaldo causing a lot of problems with his dribbling and crossing abilities.
Alexis had a half chance on the counter early on but was bundled off the ball on the edge of the area, and chances remained at a premium for both sides throughout a cagey first half.
United took the lead, via a cross from that man Young. It was a disappointing goal to concede as Young escaped down the left and dinked over a ball to the far post. Herrera was waiting in acres of space and had time to pick his spot and volley past Ospina at his near post.
Arsenal could not muster any opportunities and it finished 1-0 at half time.
SECOND HALF
United continued to dominate possession and Arsenal were holding back. Arsenal needed to step up the tempo and they did with a half chance falling to Giroud which he could not take cleanly.
The France international had the Gunners’ best opening of the game just after the hour mark when he rolled Rojo in the area but scuffed his shot with just De Gea to beat.
Rojo then denied Ramsey a shot with a last ditch tackle.
Alexis picked Ramsey out with a brilliant ball, Ramsey then beat De Gea, but could not hit the ball into the net after Rojo again came to United's rescue by clearing the ball and preventing an open goal for Ramsey.
Walcott, on as a substitute, received a brilliant pass from Ramsey, went past Blackett and fired a cross across goal. The hapless Blackett deflected that into his own goal to give Arsenal a well deserved equalizer.
It was no more than they deserved and with United rocking, Giroud twice had openings as he firstly hit the sidenetting before miscontrolling in the area moments later.
It finished as a draw, with a point perhaps gained for Arsenal and prevented United from the big 3 points they needed to put pressure for 3rd.
PLAYER RATINGS
13: David Ospina (6.5): Could not do much about the goal.
39: Hector Bellerin (6): Was constantly got past by Young. Should have more composure in dealing with a player like Young.
6: Laurent Koscielny (7): Did not really have much to do against Falcao, but for one really well timed last ditch tackle to deny the Colombian.
4: Per Mertesacker (6.5): Again not much to do.
18: Nacho Monreal (6): Should have been better positioned to deny Herrera a clear chance of a volley.
34: Francis Coquelin (6.5): Did OK.
19: Santi Cazorla (6): Seems to be losing form at the wrong moment for us fans.
16: Aaron Ramsey (7.5): Was excellent once shifted to centre, could have scored 2. But did give the pass to Walcott that resulted in a goal.
17: Alexis Sanchez (6): Again rather poor from the Chilean.
11: Mesut Ozil (6): Did not seem to be into the game at all.
12: Olivier Giroud (6): Again struggled to get a hold in the game.
SUBSTITUTES:
10: Jack Wilshere (6.5): Him and Jack in midfield seemed a treat to watch.
14: Theo Walcott (6.5): Glimpses of the Theo of old, with direct running, his cross was deflected in for our goal.
16: Mathieu Flamini (N/A): Long time since we saw the lad to be honest.