Arsenal 2-0 Man Utd: Player ratings as Gunners lean on set-piece strength to inflict defeat on Amorim
- Arsenal claimed victory on a wet night at the Emirates Stadium
- Man Utd defended well in open but were undone by set-pieces
- Gunners slightly reduce Liverpool's Premier League to seven points
Arsenal used their prowess at set-pieces to record a fourth consecutive win in all competitions, while simultaneously handing Ruben Amorim his first defeat as Manchester United head coach.
The Gunners largely dominated the contest played in the rain at the Emirates Stadium, but it took a headed goal from Jurrien Timber at a corner to finally get them ahead early in the second half.
Another corner routine also delivered the second killer for William Saliba, while Arsenal also missed two other great chances from similar set-pieces.
United defended well in the first half in particular and admirably limited what Arsenal could produce in open play. They did have some chances of their own too, notably forcing a world class save out of David Raya from a Matthijs de Ligt header when it the score-line was 1-0.
FCIQ
If you needed any evidence of the importance of having a good corner routine, this game told you everything you could have possibly wanted to know. Arsenal have struck gold with set-piece coach Nicolas Jover, who orchestrated two perfect corners to allow Timber and Saliba to head home.
When you're playing at the highest level, those fine margins can be the difference between winning and losing, and Mikel Arteta is clearly trying to avoid leaving anything up to chance.
Arsenal player ratings vs Man Utd (4-3-3)
Player | Rating |
---|---|
GK: David Raya | 8.4/10 |
RB: Jurrien Timber | 7.8/10 |
CB: William Saliba | 8.2/10 |
CB: Jakub Kiwior | 7.4/10 |
LB: Oleksandr Zinchenko | 6.6/10 |
CM: Martin Odegaard (c) | 7.8/10 |
CM: Thomas Partey | 7.9/10 |
CM: Declan Rice | 8.4/10 |
RW: Bukayo Saka | 7.1/10 |
ST: Kai Havertz | 6.5/10 |
LW: Gabriel Martinelli | 6.3/10 |
SUB: Mikel Merino (71' for Zinchenko) | 6.0/10 |
SUB: Leandro Trossard (71' for Martinelli) | 6.1/10 |
SUB: Jorginho (90' for Odegaard) | N/A |
Subs not used: Neto (GK), Kieran Tierney, Ayden Heaven, Ethan Nwaneri, Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus.
Man Utd player ratings vs Arsenal (3-4-3)
Player | Rating |
---|---|
GK: Andre Onana | 7.8/10 |
CB: Matthijs de Ligt | 6.4/10 |
CB: Harry Maguire | 6.8/10 |
CB: Noussair Mazraoui | 6.1/10 |
RM: Diogo Dalot | 6.4/10 |
CM: Manuel Ugarte | 7.0/10 |
CM: Bruno Fernandes (c) | 6.7/10 |
LM: Tyrell Malacia | 6.6/10 |
RF: Mason Mount | 5.7/10 |
ST: Rasmus Hojlund | 6.0/10 |
LF: Alejandro Garnacho | 6.7/10 |
SUB: Amad Diallo (46' for Malacia) | 6.9/10 |
SUB: Marcus Rashford (59' for Mount) | 6.2/10 |
SUB: Joshua Zirkzee (59' for Garnacho) | 6.3/10 |
SUB: Leny Yoro (59' for Maguire) | 6.5/10 |
SUB: Antony (79' for Hojlund) | 6.4/10 |
Subs not used: Altay Bayindir (GK), Goodwill Kukonki, Casemiro, Christian Eriksen.