Arsenal vs. Manchester United: Arsene Wenger, Louis van Gaal Post-Match Reaction

Arsene Wenger bemoaned Arsenal's inability to turn territorial and attacking dominance into goals after his side lost 2-1 at home to Manchester United. The Red Devils snatched the points after a Kieran Gibbs own goal and a Wayne Rooney strike on the break.

The win was thanks largely to the heroics of goalkeeper David de Gea. A downbeat Wenger cursed both his side's profligacy and De Gea's brilliance, per Daniel Taylor of The Guardian:

De Gea certainly kept United in the game for long periods as numbers from Squawka Football prove:

De Gea's performance hinted at the "smash and grab" nature of the game. It was also another signpost in his development from struggling Premier League inhabitant to one of the world's best goalkeepers.

Yet despite De Gea's heroics, United boss Louis van Gaal downplayed the Spaniard's progress, according to Taylor:

It's certainly churlish to critique De Gea after such an impressive showing. However, it's also not the worst idea to keep the gifted 24-year-old's feet on the ground.

Despite any negative caution from Van Gaal, United certainly needed De Gea to bail them out, particularly during the early stages. The Gunners were totally dominant for around 30 minutes, consistently overrunning United in midfield.

Van Gaal chided his team's lack of care with the ball during this period:

The veteran Dutch coach felt his team was fortunate to survive the early onslaught. Van Gaal used this is as an opportunity to defend his decision to return to a three-man defence:

Van Gaal's faith in a system many have been critical of was justified thanks to a solid performance from England centre-back and Arsenal target, Chris Smalling. He helped settle a nervy United back line and midfield.

Of course, Van Gaal's players eventually calmed down, even if they offered little going forward for most of the game:

That's what will irk Wenger the most, the fact his team did so little with their dominance of the ball. He was quick to reference the lack of efficiency in forward areas, per Arsenal's official Twitter account:

Ultimately, Wenger paid the price for expecting goals from a starting XI containing Jack Wilshere and Danny Welbeck. Ex-United player Welbeck, who's a striker in name only, again failed to impress in front of goal.

As for Wilshere, he was gutsy and full of industry in the first half, but appears to have succumbed to yet another ankle injury. Wenger offered an ominous-sounding update on Wilshere, while providing slightly more positive information regarding 'keeper Wojciech Szczesny, who was injured in the build-up to Gibbs' clanger:

Hopefully, Szczesny won't be sidelined for too long. Summer signing David Ospina has been on the treatment table since he arrived in North London. Youngster Damian Martinez is not up to the task of filling in for too long.

Returning to his team's woes in front of goal, Wenger called for calm and poise from his players:

Sadly, that calmness is unlikely to be shared by many Gunners fans. Significant sections of supporters are very frustrated amid what has been an historically bad start to the season:

The growing murmurs of discontent from the stands are becoming rumbles of bitter vitriol. Wenger looks like a man destined for an ugly end to what has been an illustrious career.

The principled Frenchman has won three league titles and five FA Cups, including two doubles, during his time at Arsenal. He's also overseen an unbeaten league campaign, helped build a new stadium and guided Arsenal to a UEFA Champions League final.

That's a resume that demands a classier exit than the one Wenger looks increasingly set to face. But modern football is rarely the place for sentiment and things could soon turn nasty for Arsenal's longest-serving manager:

Of course, Van Gaal's United career has only just begun. After a tempestuous start, one defined by injuries and changing tactics, the experienced Dutchman appears to have steadied the ship.

A place in the top four is ample proof of that.