Arsenal actually beat United at their own favoured game with the disallowed goal, hitting them on the breakaway. I wrote earlier it would be interesting to see how Dalot would adapt if Martinelli got on the ball and he got caught out. He is vacating a lot of space for Arsenal to work the ball into that channel.
For all the criticism of Ronaldo’s lack of pressing, his work-rate is one of the most relentless you’ve ever seen from a footballer and Rashford, 12 years younger, is not exerting enough pressure on the Arsenal centre-backs. The United supporters sensed it a moment ago as he could have closed them down but didn’t and they played out from their third quite easily.
The strength of Jesus is incredibly impressive for his size. He’s absolutely relishing the battle with Varane and at times he’s winning it. Arsenal could have shrunk after the disallowed goal but they’ve played well since then and are probably on top at the moment. United can’t get Rashford in the game at all.
That was excellent from Ramsdale and White, who stayed calm under pressure and played through United’s press. Ramsdale is confident with the ball at his feet, but the same can’t be said about De Gea.
The goal was righly chalked off but it has also knocked the stuffing out of United. Arsenal have started to dominate and the early impetus United generated feels quite distant now. They are clinging on at times in their own third and Arsenal are seizing on loose balls to maintain attacks. It feels strange Casemiro is not on the pitch for a game of this magnitude. As laudable as McTominay has been, he is limited in certain phases.
Do not overlook the pass from Eriksen into Fernandes. Martinez has had some joy breaking the lines from inside United’s half and Eriksen’s proactive pass starts that move and United did not let up the moment the ball was received by Fernandes. Rashford has been a passenger for most of the half but he did brilliantly to find Antony and the goal was taken superbly.
— Chirag Godara (@iChiragg) September 4, 2022
— Chirag Godara (@iChiragg) September 4, 2022