Another game gone, and the unbeaten run continues. The newly crowned champions came to town, and played out an compelling – if rather erratic – 1-1 draw.
Wojciech Szczesny - 7 – A solid presence, and made an outstanding save (from the Peter Schmiechel playbook) to deny Robin Van Persie. Couldn't do anything about the Dutchman's penalty, but his kicking remains an issue.
Bacary Sagna - 5 – Made a decent start when Arsenal were in the ascendency, but his double error that gifted United their equaliser sent his head into a tailspin. Recovered in the closing minutes, but for too long he was a liability on the pitch, and should have been sent-off.
Per Mertesacker – 7 – Felt that he should have kept the defensive line a touch higher in the 2nd half, but another assured display. His good positional sense offsets his lack of pace.
Laurent Koscielny – 8 – The Frenchman's been in fine form, and produced a stellar display. He played Van Persie brilliantly, and was often in the right place to deal with United's crosses and through-balls, evinced by him making 7 interceptions – more than any other player on the pitch.
Kieran Gibbs - 6 – Had a difficult time against Antonio Valencia, and was fortunate that the Ecuadorian's final ball was woeful. Didn't affect the game going forward as much as he can, but had a debatable claim for a penalty turned down late on.
Mikel Arteta – 6 – Had a superb 1st half, keeping Wayne Rooney to an anonymous presence. However, Rooney was the game's most dangerous player in the 2nd, with Arteta unable to lay a glove on him. His passing influence was also relatively fruitless. The breakneck pace of the first 45 minutes may have worn him out.
Aaron Ramsey - 6 – Was outstanding in the first 35 minutes, closing down United's midfielders, and dominating the centre of the pitch. His tireless running was also useful in the 2nd half. But his passing was far too inconsistent, and gave the ball away in promising positions too often.
Tomas Rosicky - 7 – Along with Ramsey, his intensity set the tone from the kick-off. He buzzed around with menacing intent, and looked Arsenal's most dangerous player. His gave the assist for the goal, and his substitution on 62 minutes was a head-scratcher.
Theo Walcott – 6 – Maybe this rating is a bit harsh. After all, he finally ended his goal drought. But his delivery from wide areas & set-pieces was poor, and he failed to consistently track Patrice Evra in the 2nd half, as the United captain was a serious threat going forward.
Lukas Podolski - 5 – Did well in the build-up to Walcott's goal, but did little beyond that. In his defence, he seems to be playing unfit, and his substitution for Gervinho was an inevitability.
Santi Cazorla – 6 – A very hit & miss performance from Santi. He seems to be exhausted, and often gave the ball away in the final third. However, he tested David De Gea with two impressive long range efforts. Arsenal will probably need one more push from him in the season's final weeks.
SUBS
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – n/a – Didn't affect the play as he can, but made a goal saving block late on from Ryan Giggs.
Jack Wilshere – 6 – Used the ball tidily, but had only one forward burst from midfield. You wonder if he's playing within himself a touch.
Gervinho – n/a – Saw little of the ball.
Two points dropped, or a point gained? I'm thinking the latter at this stage. With Chelsea to go to Old Trafford next week, and Spurs and Chelsea having their game in hand against each other, the Gunners still likely have control of their own destiny. But their margin of error is over. Three games to go. Arsenal will probably need to win all three to finish in the top 4.
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