North London club Arsenal again leaks the wounds of a defeat in the hands of bitter rivals Manchester United as they handed Louis Cav Gaal his first away win in the current league campaign.
United maintained their dominance over Arsenal with a record 11 wins and 3 draws in the last 15 matches between them in all competitions.
The two sides started the game sordidly with the caution of not conceding first, but it was indeed the Gunners that mounted stronger pressure on the Red Devils in the first 45.
The Gunners strike force of Danny Welbeck and Carlos Sanchez however, did look clueless and impatient in front of goal as they wasted every effort that could have resulted into Arsenal shooting into the lead
Former United striker, Welbeck was far inch close to scoring in the first half with a very good opportunity just outside the six yard box of David De Gea who had already made 5 saves out of a possible attempt at goal made by Arsenal
The 23 year-old should have done better if he had not taken the very well misplaced and uncalculated back heel try, and let the ball off to the begging red shirt in front of him
At the end of first half, United had not recorded any shot at goal, but seized the opportunity with a counter attack in the second, committing Arsenal goalie, Sczesny with his own defender, Kieran Gibbs who slot the first goal into his own post with mounting pressure from United’s Valencia
Having gone behind and the goalkeeper substituted after crashing with Gibbs before the goal went in, Arsene Wenger was forced into an early second half change, bringing in Martinez who would concede another goal from the boots of captain Wayne Rooney in a clinical finish just at the 85 minute mark
United did not have much of the balls all through the game, but Arsenal’s wasteful effort in front of goal cost them the possible points that they may have secured from that game
Arsenal should have been saved a breather had they kept the score at 1-0 for Giroud’s goal to level at added time
The Frenchman making his first appearance since August, pulled one back for Arsenal but that was not enough to help them to one point as United were already two goals ahead
Louis Van Gaal and his side travel back to Manchester with three points in the bag and a first away win at the Emirates, adding to the woes of Arsene Wenger who may yet have to see through the club’s last matches before 2015 without Jack Wilshere who may have suffered a torn ligament in his left ankle, following a heavy challenge from United defender, McNair.
Arsenal dominated plat throughout the course of 90 minutes with a 61% possession to United’s 31, recording 23 shots at goal with 9 of those on target as against the opposition’s 12 shots and 2 on targets