The Premier League title battle enters matchday 38 after Arsenal beat a depleted Manchester United team at Old Trafford without playing well, which is The Mark of Champions.
Manchester United needed to respond to their humiliating loss at Crystal Palace on Monday, while Arsenal only wanted to win against an XI that would have had them licking their lips in the warm-up.
Erik ten Hag replaced Christian Eriksen with defensive midfielder Sofyan Amrabat in front of the shaky centre-back pairing of Johnny Evans and Casemiro.
Before kickoff, looking at the starting XI, United looked defeated, but that wasn’t the case in the first half.
Ten Hag would have liked more, but there was a distinct difference off the ball, even if the first four minutes gave us the sense the Red Devils would have a rough afternoon.
Manchester United’s opening goal was terrible, and Casemiro was rightfully criticized again. After Andre Onana produced a problematic angle for the Cameroonian, the former Real Madrid great “ran” back into position like a pedestrian crossing the road after being signaled by a friendly car.
After being maintained onside, Kai Havertz found Leandro Trossard for a tap-in thanks to Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s poor defending, who missed the Arsenal forward’s run into the six-yard box.
The next five minutes seemed to open the floodgates, but United responded. In a five-minute span, Arsenal couldn’t get the ball off them, and the hosts completed the first half strong, showing purpose in possession and not letting the visitors settle, with Thomas Partey and Havertz being Mikel Arteta’s most uncomfortable.
After replacing Antony, Amad Diallo looked threatening, rolling Takehiro Tomiyasu numerous times and displaying more purpose than ever before. Diogo Dalot handled Bukayo Saka nicely.
Ten Hag’s men had optimism after Partey’s hesitant touch and embarrassing slip trying to fire the ball up the park in the second half. The first half felt like a game for Jorginho, not Partey, and moments like these reinforced it.
United used the crossfield pass to isolate Arsenal’s full-backs, but the Gunners’ ability to get into a good shape quickly prevented the Red Devils from taking advantage of Amad and Alejandro Garnacho, making Tomiyasu and Benjamin White work.
United were the better team from the 30th to 75th minute, something nobody predicted when both teams walked out an hour before kickoff. Amrabat and Casemiro didn’t tire and Arsenal took the lead.
A hilariously awful team fought hard, but Ten Hag’s men couldn’t stop Arsenal’s procession as it p*ssed down and thundered.
Arsenal were ineffective, while Manchester United showed promise with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his merry men in the stands. Even though a win would give Manchester City the chance to win the title on Tuesday, the home fans, players, and Ten Hag were always excited about this match, and the Old Trafford throng were loud for most of it.
Ten Hag often cited the September loss at the Emirates and Arsenal as a team without injuries last season. He clearly dislikes them. Maybe he never has. Is jealousy involved? Perhaps he is furious that his ‘all eras come to an end’ assertion motivated his competitors, not his squad. Really, we don’t know. We know the Dutchman believes his team was denied a goal and penalty in the opposite fixture. If this is still a debate, they were wrong on both counts.
He didn’t win, but he did well under the circumstances. Injuries have been a major issue this season, and even one starter absence tends to affect Ten Hag’s team, so to play so well without Marcus Rashford, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Bruno Fernandes, and Harry Maguire is impressive.
Man Utd are in a tough spot ahead of the midweek match at home to Newcastle United and the last day of the season away to Brighton.
It means we won’t know the Premier League victor until the end. The last time Arsenal was still in the title race by matchday 38? The Invincibles won the title on matchday 34 20 years ago.
Last season, they imploded in the run-in, but this time they’ve learned from their mistakes and are in a new circumstance. It will be intriguing to see how they handle the pressure at home against Everton next Sunday. This is new area for Arteta’s youth.
Manchester City plays Tottenham, Arsenal’s strongest opponent, on Tuesday, the genuine final day. If City can pass that test at a ground they have never scored or won at in the Premier League, next Sunday will be inevitable. Guardiola’s team may struggle like they have in the past, but they refuse to lose at home to West Ham, regardless of David Moyes’ fate.
Even if they don’t win the Premier League, this Arsenal team will be ready to strike when Guardiola leaves. Manchester United finally showed some promise without producing any opportunities, but it wasn’t enough against a side that played like a champion. Ten Hag lost his own cup final against the squad he was so keen to beatMan Utd lose personal cup final as Arsenal reach unprecedented area in championship race
The Premier League title battle enters matchday 38 after Arsenal beat a depleted Manchester United team at Old Trafford without playing well, which is The Mark of Champions.
Manchester United needed to respond to their humiliating loss at Crystal Palace on Monday, while Arsenal only wanted to win against an XI that would have had them licking their lips in the warm-up.
Erik ten Hag replaced Christian Eriksen with defensive midfielder Sofyan Amrabat in front of the shaky centre-back pairing of Johnny Evans and Casemiro.
Imagine reading that two years ago. In front of Amrabat were United captain Scott McTominay and Kobbie Mainoo. This pairing had more grit, discipline, and legs than Eriksen and an off-pace Mason Mount.
Before kickoff, looking at the starting XI, United looked defeated, but that wasn’t the case in the first half. Ten Hag would have liked more, but there was a distinct difference off the ball, even if the first four minutes gave us the sense the Red Devils would have a rough afternoon.
Manchester United’s opening goal was terrible, and Casemiro was rightfully criticized again. After Andre Onana produced a problematic angle for the Cameroonian, the former Real Madrid great “ran” back into position like a pedestrian crossing the road after being signaled by a friendly car.
After being maintained onside, Kai Havertz found Leandro Trossard for a tap-in thanks to Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s poor defending, who missed the Arsenal forward’s run into the six-yard box.
The next five minutes seemed to open the floodgates, but United responded. In a five-minute span, Arsenal couldn’t get the ball off them, and the hosts completed the first half strong, showing purpose in possession and not letting the visitors settle, with Thomas Partey and Havertz being Mikel Arteta’s most uncomfortable.
After replacing Antony, Amad Diallo looked threatening, rolling Takehiro Tomiyasu numerous times and displaying more purpose than ever before. Diogo Dalot handled Bukayo Saka nicely.
Ten Hag’s men had optimism after Partey’s hesitant touch and embarrassing slip trying to fire the ball up the park in the second half. The first half felt like a game for Jorginho, not Partey, and moments like these reinforced it.
United used the crossfield pass to isolate Arsenal’s full-backs, but the Gunners’ ability to get into a good shape quickly prevented the Red Devils from taking advantage of Amad and Alejandro Garnacho, making Tomiyasu and Benjamin White work.
United were the better team from the 30th to 75th minute, something nobody predicted when both teams walked out an hour before kickoff. Amrabat and Casemiro didn’t tire and Arsenal took the lead.
A hilariously awful team fought hard, but Ten Hag’s men couldn’t stop Arsenal’s procession as it p*ssed down and thundered.
Arsenal were ineffective, while Manchester United showed promise with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his merry men in the stands. Even though a win would give Manchester City the chance to win the title on Tuesday, the home fans, players, and Ten Hag were always excited about this match, and the Old Trafford throng were loud for most of it.
Ten Hag often cited the September loss at the Emirates and Arsenal as a team without injuries last season. He clearly dislikes them. Maybe he never has. Is jealousy involved? Perhaps he is furious that his ‘all eras come to an end’ assertion motivated his competitors, not his squad. Really, we don’t know. We know the Dutchman believes his team was denied a goal and penalty in the opposite fixture. If this is still a debate, they were wrong on both counts.
Sunday was his cup final before the FA Cup final against Pep Guardiola’s City after the league season.
He didn’t win, but he did well under the circumstances. Injuries have been a major issue this season, and even one starter absence tends to affect Ten Hag’s team, so to play so well without Marcus Rashford, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Bruno Fernandes, and Harry Maguire is impressive.
Man Utd are in a tough spot ahead of the midweek match at home to Newcastle United and the last day of the season away to Brighton.
It means we won’t know the Premier League victor until the end. The last time Arsenal was still in the title race by matchday 38? The Invincibles won the title on matchday 34 20 years ago.
Last season, they imploded in the run-in, but this time they’ve learned from their mistakes and are in a new circumstance. It will be intriguing to see how they handle the pressure at home against Everton next Sunday. This is new area for Arteta’s youth.
Manchester City plays Tottenham, Arsenal’s strongest opponent, on Tuesday, the genuine final day. If City can pass that test at a ground they have never scored or won at in the Premier League, next Sunday will be inevitable.
Guardiola’s team may struggle like they have in the past, but they refuse to lose at home to West Ham, regardless of David Moyes’ fate.
Even if they don’t win the Premier League, this Arsenal team will be ready to strike when Guardiola leaves. Manchester United finally showed some promise without producing any opportunities, but it wasn’t enough against a side that played like a champion. Ten Hag lost his own cup final against the side he wanted to beat, although showing promise.
