Arsenal’s worst start to a season since 1982 is complete after Manchester United left the Emirates with 3 points courtesy of Kieran Gibb’s own goal and Wayne Rooney’s counter attack.

The first half started brightly as Chambers, Wilshere, Ox and Welbeck all combined beautifully down the right hand side. Jack Wilshere was denied well by David de Gea as the Spaniard single-handedly kept the score at 0-0.

The Englishman was forced from the field through injury in the second half, and it became apparent that it was not to be the Gunners’ day when Antonio Valencia’s shot was deflected in off left-back Gibbs to give United the lead.

Wojciech Szczesny was next to pick up an injury as United held a 1-0 lead despite not registering a shot on goal.

Wenger’s side piled forward in search of an equaliser but that left Nacho Monreal exposed to let Wayne Rooney in to seal the points by chipping over substitute Martinez.

Positively, Olivier Giroud made his first appearance for 3 months on his return from a broken leg and he wasted no time in rifling home a stunning half volley from Mikel Arteta’s pass, but it wasn’t enough to stop United clinching their first away win of the season.

Player Ratings

Wojciech Szczesny - 5 – After a very quiet first half, Szczesny left the field when the going began to get tough. Injured in the build-up to United’s goal as he comically clattered Gibbs, Szczesny isn’t exactly inspiring the Arsenal faithful at the minute and may be out for a while now.

Kieran Gibbs - 6 – An admirable performance going forward but was guilty of neglecting his defensive duties as we pushed for an equaliser. Along with the rest of the defence he was nowhere to be seen for Rooney’s goal, left upfield, and Gibbs also contributed to the scoresheet with his own goal.

Per Mertesacker - 5 – Did his job in keeping Robin van Persie in his place; and the Dutchman was forced off without having any effect. He pushed forward in an attempt to level the scores as the cross-count grew but the big German was ineffectual.

Nacho Monreal - 6 – Definitely not the worst payer on the pitch, especially considering he was out of position, and he too contributed to van Persie’s diminishing. Left on the spot when it came to the last goal.

Calum Chambers - 6 – My Man of the Match, everything Arsenal did right in the first half involved this guy and Jack Wilshere. The right-hand-side was terrorised in the opening exchanges and although the intensity dropped, Chambers still chipped away.

Mikel Arteta - 5 – personally I don’t believe this guy is good enough for the defensive midfield role. He has neither the physical presence or the ability to provide significant cover for the back 4 and he lost almost everything to Marouane Fellaini as expected. His ball for Giroud was exceptional, though, it has to be said.

Aaron Ramsey - 5 – I was particularly disappointed with Rambo tonight. He didn’t push high enough to work the efforts on goal that brought him to the fore last season, and his build up play was often one-dimensional. Casing point was when he thrashed over instead of feeding Kieran Gibbs in the first half.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 6 – Didn’t have as much as a positive influence as he did for England during the international break but this guy has to be ahead of Santi Cazorla in terms of starts now. Involved massively in the first half onslaught and looked sharp with Wilshere.

Jack Wilshere - 6 – Would have been higher if he had finished the game, as he was by far Arsenal’s brightest spark in his time on the field. Certainly should have scored in the first half and picked out some brilliant balls in behind. Hope his injury isn’t as back as it seems.

Alexis Sanchez - 5 – Along with Aaron Ramsey, I was disappointed that Sanchez didn’t take this game by the scruff of the neck. Hardly ran at make-shift fullback Antonio Valencia and didn’t get a clear cut chance at goal. Poor set-pieces.

Danny Welbeck - 6 – Ran the channels brilliantly in the game where he had the most to prove, but final product was a let-down. Ran round United’s 3 centre-backs well but couldn’t find the net. Finished on the left hand side.

SUBS

Damian Martinez - 5 – Had a tough job to come on just as Arsenal’s defence was disintegrating. Did well to rush di Maria when he was 1-on-1.

Santi Cazorla - 4 – I’m really not impressed by this guy, he didn’t bring anything to the game when he replaced Jack Wilshere and his final product left a lot to be desired.

Olivier Giroud - 6 – He’s back! Wonderful finish from Giroud from the only opportunity he had, but couldn’t produce another moment of magic.



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Comments  

+1 #3 Gomes 2014-11-25 12:30
The worst player in this arsenal team is mertesacker....but it seems people respect him so much that it's so difficult to say he is so below per.....he makes kolshiny overwork...For God's sake you know that you have no pace and yet you keep your opponents behind you aiding a counter....
#2 Alanrad 2014-11-24 07:46
Calum man of the match with only 6. Thats crazy. He was an 8.
#1 romaniangunner 2014-11-23 08:58
Bad decision to replace willshere with cazorla.we played very good in that formation and cazorla cant play well on willshere's role.i think rosicky could have been a better choice.its sad that we didnt beat theam even with so many injuries that they had.a very dissapointing season,this time i dont think we will catch a cl place,too wick defense