9 years and 11 attempts without a win at Old Trafford. Hated enemies. Bitter rivals. Everything pointed to a United win, especially with a win at the Emirates earlier this season despite being second best. Something you could say was in the player's head about United and big games in particular.
But things had changed, especially the Etihad game. Hopes were high especially given this was our trophy. We just had to defend it. Our biggest chance of a trophy.
Szczesny recovered from illness to start in goal. Bellerin started at RB with Lolo and BFG at CB. Monreal replaced Gibbs at LB. Ramsey, Ozil and Coquelin started in midfield with Cazorla presumably rested with Monaco in mind. Alexis and Chamberlain started in the flanks with Welbeck as the lone frontman.
FIRST HALF
Bellerin was shown an early yellow card for a cynical foul on Ashley Young putting himself in a precarious position. First real chance fell for Ashley Young, after a long ball to Fellaini was chested down to him. But much like Liverpool's last season title challenge, he slipped.
Arsenal took the lead. First a moment of innovation from Ozil to find Chamberlain, then some neat tricky feet from Chamberlain who evaded 4 defenders and then found Monreal with a through ball. Monreal showed great composure to beat De Gea.
Just 3 minutes later however United drew level. Yet again it was a familiar face. Wayne Rooney so used to scoring against us in the past was at the right place to score a header from a Di Maria cross.
Arsenal should have had a penalty soon after with Welbeck being pulled back, but nothing was given. Arsenal ended up the first half rather unfortunate to be level.
SECOND HALF
Chamberlain went off injured early on, which given his form was a huge blow. Sanchez had an attempt blocked after some poor defending by United.
Arsenal retook the lead. It was from a Man Utd fan, a Man Utd reject. A poor back pass by Valencia was seized by Welbeck who took control before running around De Gea to score. The elation in his face expressed his frustration.
De Gea made an outstanding save to deny a Cazorla volley. Di Maria was sent off for what seemed like a push on the referee. He had dived and was on a yellow card. So he should have been sent off anyways.
Much more poor play acting was followed by Januzaj who was also booked for simulation. Alexis could have finished the game, but yet another super save from De Gea prevented it.
In the end a huge, huge win and a return to Wembley, to defend our cup.
PLAYER RATINGS
1: Wojiech Szczesny (6.5): Could he have done better for the Rooney goal? I think so.
39: Hector Bellerin (7): Despite an early yellow card he kept Young quiet. Had a decent game.
6: Laurent Koscielny (6.5): Misjudged flight of the ball for Rooney's goal. Should have done better.
4: Per Mertesacker (8): Had an excellent game despite a shaky few first minutes.
18: Nacho Monreal (8.5): Was outstanding. Kept Di Maria in his pocket whilst also going up to the other side to score a composed finish.
34: Francis Coquelin (8): Won almost every duel against Fellaini and had an excellent game shutting United up.
19: Santi Cazorla (7.5): Not his most influential performance. None the less a decent one.
17: Alexis Sanchez (7): Decent but nothing great. Should have taken Valencia apart, but after a bright start faded away.
15: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (7.5): Excellent run to set up Monreal. Sadly injured again.
11: Mesut Ozil (7.5): Had his moments of innovation, but was refreshing to watch him defensively help the team. 2 Coquelinesque tackles were great to see.
23: Danny Welbeck (7.5): Great for him to get on the scoresheet.
SUBSTITUTES:
12: Olivier Giroud (N/A): Came on for Welbeck.
21: Calum Chambers (N/A): Brought on to replace Bellerin who was on a yellow card.
16: Aaron Ramsey (7): Came on and did his usual. Showed a lot of energy and was trying to find the 3rd and decisive goal.
HIGHLIGHTS
But things had changed, especially the Etihad game. Hopes were high especially given this was our trophy. We just had to defend it. Our biggest chance of a trophy.
Szczesny recovered from illness to start in goal. Bellerin started at RB with Lolo and BFG at CB. Monreal replaced Gibbs at LB. Ramsey, Ozil and Coquelin started in midfield with Cazorla presumably rested with Monaco in mind. Alexis and Chamberlain started in the flanks with Welbeck as the lone frontman.
FIRST HALF
Bellerin was shown an early yellow card for a cynical foul on Ashley Young putting himself in a precarious position. First real chance fell for Ashley Young, after a long ball to Fellaini was chested down to him. But much like Liverpool's last season title challenge, he slipped.
Arsenal took the lead. First a moment of innovation from Ozil to find Chamberlain, then some neat tricky feet from Chamberlain who evaded 4 defenders and then found Monreal with a through ball. Monreal showed great composure to beat De Gea.
Just 3 minutes later however United drew level. Yet again it was a familiar face. Wayne Rooney so used to scoring against us in the past was at the right place to score a header from a Di Maria cross.
Arsenal should have had a penalty soon after with Welbeck being pulled back, but nothing was given. Arsenal ended up the first half rather unfortunate to be level.
SECOND HALF
Chamberlain went off injured early on, which given his form was a huge blow. Sanchez had an attempt blocked after some poor defending by United.
Arsenal retook the lead. It was from a Man Utd fan, a Man Utd reject. A poor back pass by Valencia was seized by Welbeck who took control before running around De Gea to score. The elation in his face expressed his frustration.
De Gea made an outstanding save to deny a Cazorla volley. Di Maria was sent off for what seemed like a push on the referee. He had dived and was on a yellow card. So he should have been sent off anyways.
Much more poor play acting was followed by Januzaj who was also booked for simulation. Alexis could have finished the game, but yet another super save from De Gea prevented it.
In the end a huge, huge win and a return to Wembley, to defend our cup.
PLAYER RATINGS
1: Wojiech Szczesny (6.5): Could he have done better for the Rooney goal? I think so.
39: Hector Bellerin (7): Despite an early yellow card he kept Young quiet. Had a decent game.
6: Laurent Koscielny (6.5): Misjudged flight of the ball for Rooney's goal. Should have done better.
4: Per Mertesacker (8): Had an excellent game despite a shaky few first minutes.
18: Nacho Monreal (8.5): Was outstanding. Kept Di Maria in his pocket whilst also going up to the other side to score a composed finish.
34: Francis Coquelin (8): Won almost every duel against Fellaini and had an excellent game shutting United up.
19: Santi Cazorla (7.5): Not his most influential performance. None the less a decent one.
17: Alexis Sanchez (7): Decent but nothing great. Should have taken Valencia apart, but after a bright start faded away.
15: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (7.5): Excellent run to set up Monreal. Sadly injured again.
11: Mesut Ozil (7.5): Had his moments of innovation, but was refreshing to watch him defensively help the team. 2 Coquelinesque tackles were great to see.
23: Danny Welbeck (7.5): Great for him to get on the scoresheet.
SUBSTITUTES:
12: Olivier Giroud (N/A): Came on for Welbeck.
21: Calum Chambers (N/A): Brought on to replace Bellerin who was on a yellow card.
16: Aaron Ramsey (7): Came on and did his usual. Showed a lot of energy and was trying to find the 3rd and decisive goal.
HIGHLIGHTS