The match that could have been billed as the ‘race for 4th’ ended in a rather uneventful draw as Manchester United scored both a goal for themselves and Arsenal at Old Trafford on Saturday.
United were on the front foot from the very start of the game, holding the majority of the possession and having seemingly every foray forward between the two teams. Every United player was involved in the waves of attack, and it eventually paid off for them in the 21st minute when an ambling run to the far post saw Ander Herrera unmarked where he was able to stab a cross in for the first half’s only goal.
The second half started much the same way as the first, with a flurry of opportunities for Manchester United. They failed to score on any of those opportunities, leaving the game open for an Arsenal comeback. And, in fact, around the 60th minute, Arsenal began to play themselves back into the match, earning a few opportunities and set pieces, though they all came to nothing in the end and David de Gea had little to do, in the end.
Later on in the half, de Gea ended up injured and had to be replaced by Victor Valdes, giving Arsenal the potential for a boost late on, and the Gunners took advantage as a Theo Walcott shot in the 81st minute hit Tyler Blackett and slipped past the new goalkeeper.
Arsenal saw a boost in form following the own goal, but neither team was able to break the deadlock in the end. The draw leaves Arsenal with 71 points and United with 69, meaning no movement in the table.
