What if Manchester United had finally found the ideal coach? In any case, Ruben Amorim, for his 4th match at the head of the Red Devils and for his first big shock, had the opportunity to offer a 3rd consecutive victory to his men in the event of success at the Emirates Stadium. A task far from easy, since Arsenal had not yet lost a single home match at kick-off, and were coming off two big victories with 5 goals scored. While Arteta proposed his usual 4-4-3, Amorim drew his famous 3-4-3 with Mount and Garnacho in support of Höjlund. And the two blocks fought a great battle from the start.
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The Premier League table
Arsenal certainly had possession in their favor, but struggled to be dangerous other than from set pieces. Without Gabriel, injured, however, he lacked a serious advantage in this area, and Partey missed a great opportunity with a header (8th). Martinelli couldn't find the target after a mess following another corner. MU, for its part, played diligently, respecting its coach's plan to the letter. In any case, this was enough to resist the Gunners' pressing, failing to create chances, with the unfortunate Hojlund struggling a little alone. It was also following a corner that MU created its only situation, a poor clearance from Kiwior giving Dalot the opportunity to trigger a cross shot off target (43rd).
Saliba, from the posterior
Five shots in total in the first half, the lowest total of the season in the Premier League, the spectacle was clearly not there. So Arsenal stepped up the pressure. And was going to be rewarded, guess, on a corner. Hit by Rice, he was taken back victoriously by Timber, not punished with a stroll on Hojlund (1-0, 54th). Amorim launched fresh players quite quickly, with the successive entries of Diallo (at half-time), Zirkzee, Rashford and Yoro. This match was definitely dedicated to set pieces, since De Ligt fell on a big Raya after a free kick taken by Bruno Fernandes (67th).
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The entry of Diallo energized his team, but Arsenal remained threatening at every corner. The proof? Saliba even managed to score, after a header from Partey at the far post (2-0, 73rd). Amorim could put his head in his hands, he was able to see the gap that separated his new team from their evening opponent. Talent and time, that's what the Portuguese coach can hope for. With this victory, Arsenal comes back to 7 points behind Liverpool, who conceded a pretty crazy draw on Newcastle's pitch. In the other match played at 9:15 p.m., Aston Villa finally got back on track against Brentford, after a series of 7 games without a win. Rogers, Watkins and Cash gave a big advantage in the first period. Damsgaard reduced the score after the break.
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Pub. the 04/12/2024 23:06
– UPDATE 04/12/2024 23:32
