It’s November, so we know that Arsenal were going to make it hard for themselves regardless.
Add that to the fact that the Gunners haven’t won at Old Trafford in over a decade and you have a very tough ask for Arsenal to come away with anything from this game.
After Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho’s no-look handshake only intensified their already frosty relationship, an equally tentative match unfolded on Saturday afternoon.
Nacho Monreal can count himself lucky to not have a penalty given against him after the left-back clumsily brought down Antonio Valencia in the only real talking point of the first half.
The game didn’t open up until the second half when Wayne Rooney was introduced. His presence opened up space for the United midfield and it was Juan Mata who opened the scoring after 68 minutes.
Arsenal’s attempts to fight their way back into he game were largely neutralised by a resolute United side until the dying embers when Olivier Giroud headed home a wonderful cross from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to equalise for the Gunners.
The point for Arsenal helped lift them into third place and just one point behind Liverpool, while United remain in sixth.
Here’re our player ratings from the game.
