Match Report: Manchester United vs Arsenal 10/11/2013

Arsenal man? Robin Van Persie shows he's all United with winning goal and celebration in 1-0 victory that sends United up to fifth.

Manchester United began Remembrance Sunday eight points behind League leaders Arsenal and were looking to extend a good run in form and take advantage as Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham had all dropped points over the weekend. Arsenal, on the other hand, were confident of strengthening their lead at the top after an encouraging win away at Borussia Dortmund in mid-week.

An illness in the Arsenal camp meant Arsene Wenger had to send home Per Mertesacker and Tomas Rosicky before the game but the Gunners had Mathieu Flamini back after injury. Nemanja Vidic captained United alongside Jonny Evans at the back whilst Michael Carrick and Phil Jones shared the midfield responsibilities. Shinji Kagawa was the chosen man on the left, achieving a rare Premier League start ahead of up-and-coming youngster Adnan Januzaj. Robin Van Persie also started up front against his former club.

United looked the better out of the two sides early on as Rooney caused problems. Just inside ten minutes the England man hit a shot from 25 yards that was deflected off Arteta and saved by Arsenal stopper Szczesny. Fifteen minutes later Kagawa did well to win the ball for Rooney to put in a dangerous cross that had to be headed away for a corner by Vermaelen. Rooney took the corner kick and Arsenal fans were left reeling when their former striker Van Persie got in front of Giroud and headed it in towards the far post to put the home side ahead. It was a fantastic goal from the Dutchman and proved exactly why United were so desperate to prise him away from the London club.

Arsenal tried to respond but failed to create anything of worth as their first real effort came from a weak header over the bar by Giroud after a cross had deflected off fellow Frenchman Evra. The rest of the half was marred by two unfortunate head injuries as first Szczesny collided with Jones and needed lengthy treatment. It was an honest attempt to head the ball from Jones and he was unlucky to be booked afterwards. Fortunately Szczesny was fine and able to continue but United's captain Vidic was less fortunate after a collision at the other end between him and De Gea meant his game was over. As De Gea came to punch clear from a Ramsey cross his hip caught the face of the Serbian defender in a nasty clash that saw him go straight off down the tunnel to receive treatment before being substituted at the start of the second half.

Cleverley came on to replace Vidic which meant the versatile Jones took his place in the centre of defence alongside Evans. It was interesting to see how the change-up would affect United's play but they still coped relatively comfortably with Arsenal as the away side struggled to get an effort on target. They had an excellent chance shortly after winning a controversial corner on 58 minutes as Sagna put in a dangerous cross from the right that found its way to Ozil in space in the box. The travelling supporters were celebrating for a few seconds before they realised the German had hit his shot into the side netting rather than past De Gea.

United continued to press for a second goal that would make the game more comfortable and came agonisingly close on the hour mark after a flick on from Kagawa eventually came into the path of Rooney. He beat Sagna with ease as he took the ball down just inside the box and struck a shot with his left foot that went through the legs of Koscielny and just wide of the post. 

Arsenal brought on Wilshere for Flamini and enjoyed a nice spell of possession in the closing 15 minutes that should have resulted in a goal. Arteta sent the ball out wide to Sagna who had space and time to send in a perfect cross into the United box. It just needed a touch from Gibbs waiting in the centre, but the defender missed it and Evans ensured it was cleared from danger.

Minutes later and it was United who rued a chance missed by one of their defenders as Smalling managed to connect with a Van Persie free kick but headed the ball down and hopelessly wide for a goal kick. However, United's right back made up for it at the other end with a well-timed tackle in the box to deny Giroud a chance to pull the trigger after he was found well by substitute Gnabry. Not long after Giroud did get a shot away after Ramsey showed tenacity in the United box to get the ball to the striker. His shot on the turn was under pressure though and De Gea had it covered as it went wide of his left-hand post.

In injury time Arsenal had a golden chance to get an equaliser after Sagna whipped in another brilliant cross from the right. Luckily for United's fantastic home support it failed to make contact with any Arsenal players in the box and bounced in front of substitute Bendtner and out of danger. The whistle then went to condemn Arsenal to their second league defeat of the season. It means United are now only five points off the Gunners and climb up to fifth in the table. David Moyes will be hopeful of continuing their nine-game unbeaten run after the international break as they travel away to Cardiff on November 24th.