Manchester United were held to a goalless draw at Arsenal on Saturday evening, further denting their title ambitions, as both sides rued their missed chances.
Arsenal came into the game in excellent form, having won five out of their last six in the league, whereas United were looking to get back on track after their midweek blip against Sheffield United.
After a cagey opening 15 minutes, United started to grow into the game, dominating possession which forced the hosts to restrict the spaces they had to operate in by defending deep with numbers.
Granit Xhaka found himself on the end of a nasty challenge from United talisman Bruno Fernandes, who was perhaps lucky to escape further retribution by VAR, with the replays proving the tackle was more dangerous than perceived in normal time.
Eventually the visitors’ pressure began to mount. Arsenal centre back Rob Holding’s poor defensive header found Fred on the edge of the box, who’s floated effort looked to break the deadlock – only for the outstretched Bernd Leno to push it away to safety.
Shortly after, the hosts’ best chance of the game came from some composed play from Emile Smith Rowe, as his driving run through the middle exposed United’s defence.
This allowed the 20-year-old to release Nicolas Pepe down the right, who got free from his marker, in order to bear down on goal. The Ivory Coast international created the space for a shot through some illusive step-overs, shifting the ball to his left foot, but narrowly missing the far post with David de Gea beaten.
Going into half-time the scores were level with it all to play for in the second 45 minutes at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta introduced Willian for Gabriel Martinelli at the break and moments later this decision nearly paid off.
The Brazilian found himself on the end of Hector Bellerin’s cross at the back post, however with the ball stuck under his feet, he was unable to generate enough power to trouble De Gea.
As both sides pushed for the opening, Arsenal became more prone to counter-attacks and nearly went behind when some swift link-up between Anthony Martial and Luke Shaw created a golden opportunity for Edinson Cavani.
Shaw’s fizzed cross found the experienced striker in the six-yard box, with the whole goal to aim at, however Cavani was unable to hit the target.
Despite conceding more chances, Arsenal looked considerably more threatening going forward, winning a free-kick to the right of the penalty area.
Alexandre Lacazette stepped up to take it, chipping his effort over the wall, only for it to cannon off the underside of the crossbar.
With the game on a knife-edge, the momentum seemed to be going the way of the home side, after another quick break saw Pepe in an identical situation to the first-half.
As he received the ball on the right-hand side of the box, driving into the area, only to curl his effort around the far post.
Then in the 89th minute, Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross was met by Cavani at the near post, however the Uruguayan couldn’t warp his foot around it enough to direct it towards goal.
This result puts Arsenal up to eighth, having played a game more than the majority of the teams around them, whereas United find themselves three points adrift from Manchester City at the top.
By James Humphreys
