Arsenal registered a 1-0 win with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scoring the decisive goal from the spot to end his goal-scoring slump. The defeat prolongs Manchester United‘s winless run at Old Trafford and leaves them at 15th place after 6 matches.
Coming off a highly encouraging 5-0 win over RB Leipzig in the Champions League, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer experimented with the 4-4-2 diamond once again with Fred, Scott McTominay, Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba comprising the midfield. With Anthony Martial still serving his Premier League suspension, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood started upfront.
Mikel Arteta played a back three in a 3-4-3 formation. Gabriel led the backline while Mohamed Elneny was preferred ahead of Dani Ceballos and Granit Xhaka in a midfield pivot with Thomas Partey.
Chances were rare to come by in the first half with Arsenal enjoying most of the possession and Manchester United being on the back foot in their own backyard. The Red Devils failed to match Arsenal’s pressing and intensity as they struggled to get the ball out of their half.
Both teams were awarded a chance with Willian hitting the post while Greenwood’s effort from a tight angle being kept out by Bernd Leno.
Pogba’s clumsiness costs Manchester United
While the hosts managed to find some tempo following the break, they were always a step behind the Gunners who kept things tight throughout.
The decisive moment in the match came in the 69th minute where a clumsy foul by Paul Pogba on Hector Bellerin inside the penalty area resulted in a spot-kick.
Pierre Emerick Aubamayeng sent David de Gea in the wrong direction to give Arsenal the lead. A flurry of attacking substitutions by Manchester United failed to give them the equalizer. The Red Devils hit the post once after a deflection off Leno’s head.
This was Arsenal’s first away win against a big six side since 2015. Aubameyang too ended a goal-scoring drought after scoring his first Premier League since the season opener against Fulham.
Paul Pogba commented on his mistake following the conclusion of the match at Old Trafford.
“I felt like I touched him a bit, I knew I was in the box, I shouldn’t have given a penalty away like that. Maybe I was a bit out of breath, it made me do this stupid mistake
“I will learn from that, I’m not the best defensively in the box, I can work on that,” the Manchester United midfielder said
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