EPL: Arsenal maintain composure to hold off Manchester United 1-1
Arsenal came from behind as they maintained composure to hold off Manchester United 1-1 in their Premier League clash at Old Trafford on Tuesday. While United were leading at half-time with the help of Scott McTominay's 44th-minute strike, Arsenal pulled one back in the 58th minute, thanks to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The draw takes Arsenal to the fourth spot, while United lurk at 10th.
Following the opening whistle, both the teams were conspicuously off to a quiet start, as they barely made any attack in the opening quarter. While there was intensity, Arsenal's Calum Chambers was warned for pulling back Daniel James, while the latter was on a run.
The first genuine attack from United's Andreas Pereira was saved by Bernd Leno in 29th. Meanwhile, Arsenal's Nicolas Pépé shot one over, two minutes later, followed by a save from David de Gea in 35th. Marcus Rashford's chance in 42nd was unconvincing, while de Gea pulled off a double save in 44th, before Scott McTominay pulled one back at the stroke of half-time.
The start of the second-half was dramatic, as Arsenal's Lucas Torreira's attempted half-volley was collected by de Gea in the 52nd. Meanwhile, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's strike allowed Arsenal to level terms, six minutes later, as VAR ruled out an initial off-side call. Arsenal continued their attack, as Bukayo Saka's 60th-minute strike was blocked, while United's Paul Pogba's curling effort, four minutes later, went wide.
The final quarter of the game saw United launching relentless attacks. McTominay almost doubled his tally with a header that went wide in the 70th, followed by Harry Maguire's 73rd-minute strike being saved. Meanwhile, McTominay's 89th-minute strike was blocked, as a couple of strikes from Rashford and Mason Greenwood went pegging. Reiss Nelson's final chance for Arsenal was saved, as honors were shared.
Here are some of the key stats from the match: Arsenal are yet to win an away against United in the EPL after conceding, since November 1977 (2-1). Aubameyang is the first from Arsenal to score seven goals in the opening seven EPL games since Dennis Bergkamp (1997-98). United's current nine points from the seven opening EPL games is lowest since 1989-90 (7).
49 - Manchester United have won 49 points in their 28 Premier League games under Ole Gunnnar Solksjaer - two fewer than they did in their final 28 under Jose Mourinho (51). Pressure. #MUNARS pic.twitter.com/vaEzHBTx1k
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 30, 2019
Following a hard-fought draw, both the teams would shift their focus to European campaign, as they are in action in the UEFA Europa League. While United take on Dutch club AZ Alkmaar on Thursday, Arsenal face-off against Belgium's Standard Liege the very day. Following the Europa League campaign, United travel to Newcastle United on Sunday, while Arsenal host AFC Bournemouth.
