Five Things Learnt from Arsenal vs Manchester United
SillySeason look into what stood out from Arsenal’s 3-0 win at Emirates Stadium
Arsenal thrashed Manchester United 3-0 on Sunday at the Emirates Stadium, and it’s now time to highlight the Five Things we took from the game here at SillySeason.
Goals from Mesut Ozil and a brace from Alexis Sanchez gave the Gunners all three points to put them second in the table, above United, and just two points behind league-leaders Manchester City.
So what stood out from the game at the Emirates Stadium.
Here are the Five Things Learnt.
5) Play Petr Cech At All Time
Arsenal put Petr Cech back into the starting XI for the Manchester United match and unsurprisingly, he kept a clean-sheet.
Arsene Wenger was criticised for playing David Ospina in the midweek Champions League game, mainly due to the Colombian’s howler for the second goal, and he quickly reverted back to Cech for the Premier League.
The veteran made a crucial save just before half-time to stop Anthony Martial from making it 3-1, and then saved well from Bastian Schweinsteiger and Wayne Rooney in the second-half.
His experience and presence is vital for Arsenal and has a brilliant effect on the defenders as well.
4) Matteo Darmian Had A Nightmare
The above picture sums up Matteo Darmian‘s game.
He was tortured by Alexis Sanchez in the first-half and was subbed off at half-time by Louis van Gaal due to his shocking performance.
From the get-go, Alexis had Darmian‘s number and made him look like an amateur, which is surprising considering the start the Italian’s had in England.
Arguably been United‘s best defender, along with Chris Smalling, but he had a 45-minutes to forget in North London.
Will be interesting to see how he bounces back from this nightmare.
3) Alexis, Ozil and Walcott Are Perfect
What a trio.
The names are brilliant, but they are also brilliant on the pitch as well as on paper.
The deadly trio understand each other and play well off each other with all three of them either scoring or getting an assist on Sunday.
With Alexis on the wing, Ozil playing at number-10 and Walcott up front, Arsenal have a very dangerous attacking trio.
Exciting times for Arsenal if these three can keep up their connection and chemistry on the field.
2) When Will Olivier Giroud Start?
Poor Olivier Giroud.
Who knows when the Frenchman will get a start in the Premier League due to the form of Theo Walcott and his connection with Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil.
Fans are mixed on Giroud, and although he does score goals, they don’t see him being clinical enough to start up front for Arsenal.
Could be some time before Giroud gets back into the starting XI, and when he does, he simply has to start scoring.
1) Wayne Rooney is Fading
Wayne Rooney is losing it, and is losing it fast.
He’s been basically invisible so far this season and was shocking against Arsenal yesterday.
The England and United captain usually steps up in the big games and he makes himself known, but yesterday he offered nothing and was often the downfall in their attacking play.
Louis van Gaal needs to have words with his captain and needs to get him back firing if United want to mount a serious title challenge.
So there are the Five Things that stand out for us.
What about for you?
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt