Man Utd 1-1 Arsenal: 3 Talking Points as Unai Emery’s Gunners hold Solskjaer’s Red Devils | Premier League 2019/20

Arsenal came from behind through Pierre Emerick Aubameyang to cancel out Scott McTominay’s first-half strike. 

Manchester United fans expressed their disappointment after the full-time whistle, drawing 1-1 to Arsenal in a tedious game. The first-half was entirely dull until Scott McTominay found the top corner with a peach. Pierre Emerick Aubameyang rounded off his Old Trafford visit with an important goal in the 58th minute to level the score and take home a point from Old Trafford.

For the major parts of the first half, Manchester United and Arsenal were cautious and saw out the 40 minutes by not conceding. However, things got changed when the players got a bit weary as chances started to come just moments before the half-time whistle.

The Gunners should have found the back of the net, but double save from David De Gea kept the scoreline intact. Solskjaer’s side failed to rest on their laurels and pushed for another offensive charge. In the stoppage time of the first half, midfielder Scott McTominay found the back of the net with an extraordinary strike from outside the box.

During the second part of the game, the game was wide open – enabling the visitors to find pockets of space in between Manchester United’s defence. Harry Maguire tried to play off-side, but the Englishman failed miserably. Pierre Emerick Aubameyang had a run through and found the back of the net. After this goal, both sides had chances to get the go-ahead goal, but failure in the final third saw these them sharing spoils.

We shall look at three talking points from this draw between Manchester United and Arsenal.

#3 Nicolas Pepe and Marcus Rashford have nil confidence 

When Arsenal beat Liverpool to the signature of Nicolas Pepe, their supporters went ballistic and were raving over the Ivorian. To put things into perspective, Unai Emery wants the forward to play through the right-wing – a position where he thrives. But, it is important to note that the Arsenal attacker’s goals came when he cuts inside the defence.

Out of his basic shape, Pepe has been instructed to drift wide and feed Pierre Emerick Aubameyang. On many instances, Nicolas Pepe had the chance to play better passes, but his lack of judgement showcases his confidence in the early stages of his Arsenal career. He scored the penalty last week, but his overall game is yet to impress many.

As for Marcus Rashford, he has scored only thrice in 24 games in all competitions. The English International has been criticised for his poor form of late, but his positional play has been poor and he feels lost at times.

The striker had a chance in the first half, but his deterring confidence forced him to take a late shot, which was eventually blocked by Sokratis. For the rest of the game, he looked out of the groove. Heading into the crucial juncture of the season, Marcus Rashford needs a pat on the back and Solskjaer needs to instil confidence in him.