It wasn’t the result we wanted. I’m sure all of us would’ve been pleased leaving Old Trafford with a point, but we didn’t. Instead we left with nothing and although we are still top of the table by two points a loss against United always hurts. Obviously, I hate to see my side come out of a game with nothing, but I wouldn’t have cared as much had we have played like we wanted to win – not go there and hope to shut United out in their own back yard.
Looking at the way Arsene Wenger set out the team, the Frenchman went to OT hoping to leave with a point, and it was only until Robin van Persie headed in what proved to be the winner in the 27th minute that the Frenchman was forced to change tactics in search for an equalizer.
But why not go there, play with freedom and have a go from the start?
It was a lacklustre display to say the very least in the first 45 – many passes were misplaced, there was no fight and some of our lads just didn’t look up for it. We should have gone there with no fear and play our natural game. Yes United did there homework on us and applied pressure when we had possession, but I believe Wenger bottled it (like he usually does at OT) by playing two defensive midfielders in Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini – only one of them should have started alongside Aaron Ramsey (who was deployed on the right wing, a position he is clearly not effective in), with Jack Wilshere or Serge Gnabry out wide.
I get Old Trafford is a hard place to go to and get a result, but I truly believe they were there for the taking. This was evident when Wenger took off both Arteta and Flamini for Wilshere and young Gnabry. He should have made these changes earlier than he did. Had he done so we could’ve bagged a precious point this evening.
Nonetheless, its not as bad as we may think, just a little disappointing that we held back.
it was a match against a big team after two wins against big teams. We all knew the matches would drain us so you cant blame Ozil, Giroud, Ramsey and Carzola for being off today.
We out played Man United. The goal dint even come from open play. It was a set piece.
We need a striker, not because Giroud aint performing but because he needs to rest.
Its just one loss an now the ‘angels of doom’ are back.
It was a goodnight just that the best team lost.
The best team won…try and remember that.