Manchester United were handed their first defeat under new manager Ruben Amorim by Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal yesterday. A 2-0 win in the five-hundredth game at the Emirates for The Gunners means that the gap between them and Liverpool is just seven points now. Manchester United did have more of the ball in the first half but that did not translate into shots. In the second half, however, Arsenal were better than the visitors.
It was Arsenal’s corner routine that got them the victory. They have now scored twenty-two goals from corners since last season. The Gunners are top of that list with Manchester City at the second spot with fifteen. Arsenal are on the rise after a forgetful November and are gaining momentum. This could be their year.
Manchester United on the other hand are nowhere close to competing. After a decade of disappointment for the club, Ruben Amorim is viewed as someone who will restore Old Trafford to its past glory. He was exceptional during his time at Sporting and was scouted by Manchester City and Liverpool as well. He took over United in November and went on a three-game unbeaten run. This streak was ended at the weekend by Arteta’s Arsenal. Amorim talked to the interviewer after the game and said a few things about the game.
Ruben Amorim after the defeat
The manager pointed out that United were solid in the first half but were unable to create scoring opportunities. They did have the majority of the ball but were not threatening enough. Before the second half, he felt that his team had some kind of momentum. But, in the second half, Arsenal’s set pieces were the difference.
He said that the focus should not be on the results but rather on the performance. Through this period of trying and testing different players, fitness and availability have been a problem. Ruben Amorim said that like every other game, you get to work after taking the positives and negatives from it.
He appreciated Arsenal’s tactics and said that defending their set-pieces has been a problem for every team. He pointed out that Arsenal’s current group has been together for a long time whereas it has been less than a month since he came to United.
Let’s be honest, nobody expected United to get a win against Arsenal. Ruben Amorim needs time just like any other manager to get his ideas embedded into the player’s minds. With games against Manchester City, Liverpool, and Tottenham on the horizon, Amorim’s team will be thoroughly tested.
Win for Arsenal and City, Liverpool drop points
The Premier League title race took another turn this game week after Liverpool dropped points against Newcastle. The game at St James’ Park ended in a 3-3 draw. Liverpool went down twice but Salah’s eighty-third minute strike to send Liverpool ahead looked like a sure winner.
However, Bruno Guimaraes’s free kick in the ninetieth minute which Kelleher decided to leave was beautifully slotted in by Fabian Schar’s diving attempt from a very narrow angle. It was heartbreak for The Reds as they couldn’t find a winner in injury time. Fans would be hoping for Jota’s return, Nunez needs to be benched.
Manchester City on the other hand ended their seven-game winless streak against Forest and they did it in style. Kevin De Bruyne reminded everyone what he is capable of even at this stage of his career. City needed to bounce back quickly, and they have managed to do that just in time. As I have said before, betting against Pep and City is not a good financial decision.
Arsenal is the team that I am the most excited about, they have brilliant fixtures going ahead. Their confidence will also be higher than their competitors after a few big wins. Arteta’s team is hungry for the trophy, and this could be their year. They came close in the last two seasons, and it might be third time lucky for the Londoners.
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