Arsenal vs Manchester United: 5 Things We Learned from the Disappointing Loss
How long a fortnight seems in football. Just two weeks ago, Arsene Wenger was contemplating his greatest achievement as an Arsenal manager with Arsenal aiming for the quadruple. Two weeks later, Arsenal have only the Premier League to fight for.
On Saturday, Arsenal’s FA Cup run came to a disappointing end after the Gunners lost 2-0 to Manchester United at Old Trafford. Goals from Fabio da Silva and Wayne Rooney ended Arsenal’s FA Cup run. Arsenal were on the back of a disappointing loss to Barcelona and all this game did was compound the misery for Wenger and his men.
Arsenal were missing key personnel in Fabregas, Song and Walcott. In the absence of these players, in came Arshavin, Diaby and Denilson.
There was no doubt that Arsenal created chances but some fantastic goalkeeping from Edwin van Der Saar prevented the Gunners from progressing.
Here is a look at the five things we learned from Arsenal’s disappointing loss.
Arsene Wenger Lost the Tactical Battle Against Sir Alex Ferguson
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Once again, Arsene Wenger failed to win the tactical battle against Sir Alex Ferguson. With injuries affecting Sir Alex Ferguson’s side, he said that he had a plan up his sleeve and he delivered the goods with a smart tactical move.
Arsenal have failed to win their last seven meetings against the Red Devils, losing six and drawing just the one game. During these seven games, Arsenal have scored just three goals while United have scored 12 goals.
One of the main reasons why United is so successful against the Gunners is because time and time again, Arsenal lose the tactical battle against an organized and defensively strong United.
In all these matches, Wenger and Arsenal have played right into Manchester United’s arm. United have let Arsenal play their normal game. Arsenal has a strong passing game and they score in quick, ruthless counter attacking moves.
When these two sides met earlier in the season, Ferguson started off with a five man midfield and used it to choke Arsenal’s midfield. Whenever Arsenal play United they have plenty of possession, but they fail to use it to good effect.
Saturday was a bit different as Arsenal did create chances, but struggled to finish them off.
This time around, Ferguson used twins Fabio and Rafael as wingers despite the players being predominantly full backs. As a result, he starved Gibbs and Sagna. They had little space to play their natural game. They closed down all the players quickly and didn’t give them time or space to operate.
In the end it proved to be a great tactical move as the pace of the two wingers gave United an extra edge during counter attacking moves and the two connected well to score United’s first goal.
After scoring the first goal United looked to go for the kill on the counter, and that is exactly what they did as Rooney scored their second.
United have been scoring several of their goals in the counter against Arsenal and in the end Wenger’s decision to persist with Arsenal’s style cost the Gunners dearly.
Arsenal Have However Improved Against Manchester United
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One thing that was apparent from this performance was the improved performance from the Gunners. Normally against United, Arsenal dominate the possession but create few chances. This time it was slightly different however.
Arsenal had possession for large spells but they also fashioned chances. Robin van Persie, Marouane Chamakh, Samir Nasri, Tomas Rosicky and Laurent Koscielny all had chances to get goals. They were denied by a combination of poor finishing and stunning goalkeeping by Van Der Saar.
In the first meeting between the two sides, Arsenal created few clear cut chances. But this time, the team threatened to score and looked dangerous. Nasri had a shot saved, Chamakh hit the post and Koscielny produced a fantastic stop from Edwin van Der Saar.
This was an obvious improvement and with the league match to be played at the Emirates, Arsenal will feel they have a chance of beating the Red Devils in May. But there is still flaws in this team that need to be sorted out if they are to become champions.
Talk About Arsenal's Downfall Has Been a Bit Exaggerated
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Arsenal’s season has slowly started to go downhill after elimination from three separate competitions in just two weeks. But I feel the talk is a bit exaggerated and overblown. Let us analyze Arsenal’s performance in the three competitions.
The Carling Cup final proved to be a real let down, it was a shocker. It was unexpected and took Wenger, the club and the fans by shock. It was a tournament that Arsenal were expected to win, yet failed. The loss was disappointing to say the least, and they really should have won it.
But in the other two tournaments, Arsenal were eliminated by teams that are either superior, or on the same footing as the Gunners.
In the Champions League loss to Barcelona—who are currently the best team in the world—they lost due to a combination of poor refereeing and simply being outplayed.
In the FA Cup, Arsenal lost to Manchester United who are as good as they are. United have an outstanding goalie along with one of the of the best defenses. It wasn't a shock like the Carling Cup final.
It was disappointing considering the capabilities of the squad, but all the talk about Arsenal’s season disintegrating is mere hype that surrounds a dip in form.
The team may be struggling but the season is far from over and the Gunners still have the Premier League to fight for.
Arsenal can win it, but the team’s mental fortitude will once again be put in the limelight.
The Injury to Djourou Maybe the Worst That Has Hit the Squad This Season
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During the last 10 minutes of the match, Arsenal’s best defender Johan Djourou picked up an injury and he was ruled out for the rest of the season.
Djourou has been mammoth at the back for the Gunners along with Laurent Koscielny. They have formed a solid partnership and the two have conceded just two goals in nine matches. Djourou also performed brilliantly with Squillaci and has not lost a match in the Premier League this season. Arsenal have conceded just four goals this season when he has played.
With Vermaelen also injured, Arsenal have only two fit center backs in Koscielny and Squillaci, but the two have struggled while playing together. They look suspect when dealing with crosses and are easily breached.
Koscielny maybe playing some great football right now and he may be imposing himself, but along with Squillaci he tends to struggle. With Szczesny and Fabianski also injured, Arsenal will need to have a well played defensive game with little depth.
Djourou had become an integral part of the squad and with no viable replacement, Djourou’s injury maybe the worst to have affected the squad,
Now Is the Time to Stick by the Team and Be Patient
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For any Arsenal fan, the last six years have been a difficult time and it has been frustrating to say the least. Arsenal have come close to ending their trophy drought on certain occasions, but each time they have struggled to finish it off.
It happened against Chelsea in the Carling Cup final, against Barcelona in the UEFA Champion League final, in the Premier League in 2008 and 2010 and then this year against Birmingham in the Carling Cup final.
But one thing can be said about Arsenal is that over the last couple of years they have improved tremendously. Two seasons back they finished fourth, last year they finished third and were just two points behind the leader until injuries ended their title run.
This year they are currently second and are just three points behind Manchester United.
Arsene Wenger has adopted a long term strategy that was never bound to reap instant rewards.
Now the talk about Arsenal coming of age is told every season, but every year that is postponed. Fans must realize that change is slow, especially in the case of Arsenal, where many of their stars are often injured.
This season we have seen signs of change and we have seen some talented youngsters bloom into future stars. Nasri, Wilshere, Szczesny and Fabianski have all had breakthrough seasons, and are improving. With Ramsey and Frimpong returning from long term injuries, this team is bound to improve.
Arsenal’s ambitions might be put on hold for another season, but let’s not forget that the EPL is still up for grabs.
Wenger is a true visionary who has built an extremely talented squad from scratch and instant success was never a part of the equation. Turning against the team will do no good, but only harm.
Some have even called for the removal of Wenger and the need to spend cash. Wholesale changes will do no good and only affect the balance of the squad. Let us all remember where Arsenal was before Wenger took over. It is imperative that we understand that this team is what Wenger has made it.
It has been his philosophies and style that have brought Arsenal this far. We talk about Arsenal so much because of him.
Yes, he is stubborn sometimes. Yes, he whines a bit too much sometimes. Yes, he is under tremendous pressure to deliver.
But we have improved tremendously and he is the best thing that has ever happened to the Gunners.
These are frustrating times but we are fans of Arsenal for a reason—we support the team through the highs and lows of football and that is exactly what we should do.
