Arsenal ended their eight-year wait for a win at Old Trafford on Monday night when they deservedly dumped Manchester United out of the FA Cup in their backyard.
Nacho Monreal put Arsenal ahead after some fantastic footwork from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain before Wayne Rooney levelled things up four minutes later.
Arsenal never surrendered a clear-cut chance for Manchester United and when Danny Welbeck pounced on a poor Antonio Valencia back-pass, the former United man rounded David De Gea with the goal gaping to make it 2-1, he then celebrated his goal before being rudely booed off when substituted.
What Went Well?
Arsenal wanted to win more, every single player gave their all and they got their result. The response from Danny Welbeck towards Louis Van Gaal was very pleasing.
The Dutchman sold Danny Welbeck for ‘not being up to Manchester United-standard’, and last night he showed exactly why he has been a success. He chased down every ball, he worked so hard with and without the ball and eventually got his rewards in front of his boyhood club. Arsenal controlled the second-half and if I was a Manchester United fan, I’d be slightly worried that they were so easily beaten.
If Louis Van Gaal wants to be playing in the Champions League next season, they are going to need to produce better displays than that because they were very poor. I thought referee Michael Oliver had a fantastic game, he booked both Adnan Januzaj and Angel Di Maria for diving, before sending off the latter for pulling Oliver’s shirt.
Arsenal ended their eight-and-a-half year wait for a victory at Old Trafford and they were simply brilliant, they defended well for a majority of the game, and it could and should have been a larger scoreline.
I also want to applaud Francis Coquelin and the way he has come back from being out on loan and he near enough winning Arsenal games from midfield. His break-up play last night was again superb, he had to deal with the physical presence that Marouane Fellaini is and he was sensational again.
What Next?
Well Arsenal return to league form on Saturday and sit third, just four points behind Manchester City as they face West Ham at the Emirates, this will be the Gunners’ first 3 o’clock Saturday kick-off at home since they beat Burnley 3-0 on November 1st. Arsène Wenger’s men will have the chance to continue their good form in the league when they face a misfiring West Ham side who have lost their last two matches, both against London sides.
