Manchester United Beats Arsenal 1-2: Arsenal Lose In Hearbreaking Fashion

Both sides began a bit hesitantly, with little sustained possession. Manchester United started very tight, with few players getting down the wings in support and Wayne Rooney forced to work on his own up front against William Gallas and Thomas Vermaelen.

Both sides were guilty of poor ball control and sloppy passing early on, but Arsenal took control midway through the half.

The sustained series of short passing moves cut up United's defense. Robin Van Persie had a shot blocked and Andrei Arshavin fired over. Ryan Giggs started to find his stride with some good passing as Manchester United tried to counter, but Gallas would have none of it.

The Frenchman was formidable, seeming everywhere at the back, and snuffed out each opportunity. He did receive a yellow card for a foul on Patrice Evra, but Rooney fired wide of the near post from a promising position.

Arsenal continued to control the ball and push forward, and had three separate penalty claims denied, two in quick succession by Van Persie which were somewhat dubious, then a more blatant foul on Arshavin was waved away.

Just 30 seconds later the Russian received the ball on the left between the midfielders and defenders. United were slow to close him down and paid the price as he curled a magnificent shot into the near corner. Ben Foster got a touch on the strike but could only deflect it into the net.

Arshavin put his finger to his lips to silence the crowd, and Arsenal was rewarded for their determined attacking. They continued to apply pressure until the end of the half, and went into the tunnel brimming with confidence.

Arsenal started the second half in the same form, attacking the United's goal with vigor.

They should have scored again in the 48th minute when Arshavin cut the ball back into the middle for the onrushing Van Persie to smash into the net. Foster responded with an incredible reaction save to deny the goal, making up for some shaky play in the first half.

The pressure continued, and Emmanuel Eboue seemed to have a chance unmarked in the box, but he couldn’t capitalize. Minutes later, Giggs released Rooney onto goal and Manuel Almunia brought him down in the box for a penalty and a yellow card.

Rooney sent the keeper in the wrong direction, calmly rifling the penalty into the top corner. Arsenal appeared rocked, and momentum seemed to shift back to the home side, but the visitors continued to attack.

Manchester United responded with some late tackling, and earned a yellow card for Rooney and Wes Brown. Van Persie’s subsequent free kick was dipping down into the net but glanced off the crossbar.

United made the first change as Antonio Valencia was taken off for Ji-Sung Park. Almost immediately a deep cross into the Arsenal box was astonishingly headed by Abou Diaby into his own goal.

The midfielder seemed to be trying to head away the danger, or possibly even nod back to his keeper, but the ball flew directly into the net and United celebrated their lead.

Arsenal were deeply disappointed to find themselves down after controlling much of the match, but they continued to work for an equalizer. Diaby nearly had a chance to redeem himself with some fancy footwork in the box, but shot just wide of the back post. Van Persie continued to get chances, but could not latch on to anything.

In the 71st minute Eboue was booked for a dive which was the correct decision as Evra clearly did not touch him. Referee Mike Dean was busy on the night, handing out nine total yellow cards. Overall the officiating seemed a bit harsh, especially for Arsenal, and some cynical late contact by Man United went unpunished.

Denilson was brought off and Eduardo entered to a chorus of boos (due to his alleged dive in the Champions League qualifying match versus Celtic earlier in the week). Ramsey came on for Arshavin moments later as the goal scorer seemed to be hobbling slightly. Giggs, who should be credited with much of United’s positive play on the night, came off for Berbatov at 86 minutes.

The game became more open late, and Eduardo had a chance after a nice cross from Van Persie, but couldn’t get his head on it. United began to look more like their old selves and their fluidity caused Arsenal some difficulties.

They countered well, and finally were able to get the ball wide. Berbatov had an open shot inside the box that he botched from close range. United broke again, 3-on-2 this time but Nani’s shot was well saved by Almunia.

Five extra minutes were added, and Arsenal desperately pushed up for the goal.

They seemed to be rewarded in the 95th minute, when Gallas headed a ball down for Van Persie to slot into the net, but Gallas was justly ruled offside. Just before the final whistle, Arsene Wenger was sent from the field for kicking a water bottle down the touch line.

The manager smiled and shrugged his shoulders, but will be very unhappy with the night’s result. His team seemed to totally dominate the reigning champions until the moment of the penalty, and should have been up 2-0 by then. United were lucky, but fought for the entire 90 minutes, and will be relieved to come away with a win.