• ARSENAL PLAYER RATINGS: Bernd Leno, 8 -- Made an impressive save from Fred’s curled first half strike, and outside of that, looked incredibly composed throughout the game. Reuters
    ARSENAL PLAYER RATINGS: Bernd Leno, 8 -- Made an impressive save from Fred’s curled first half strike, and outside of that, looked incredibly composed throughout the game. Reuters
  • Hector Bellerin, 5 -- The Spaniard has become a very conservative defender due to his decline in pace which, in turn, has led to him allowing the opposition to create more opportunities. AP
    Hector Bellerin, 5 -- The Spaniard has become a very conservative defender due to his decline in pace which, in turn, has led to him allowing the opposition to create more opportunities. AP
  • Rob Holding, 7 -- Regularly got his body in the way of the ball in a classic, instinctive centre-back display from the 25-year-old. Reuters
    Rob Holding, 7 -- Regularly got his body in the way of the ball in a classic, instinctive centre-back display from the 25-year-old. Reuters
  • David Luiz, 7 -- Struggled with Fernandes at times but on the whole, showed the grit and determination that only a veteran defender can provide. AFP
    David Luiz, 7 -- Struggled with Fernandes at times but on the whole, showed the grit and determination that only a veteran defender can provide. AFP
  • Cedric Soares, 6 -- Active from the first minute until the very last, and while that benefitted Arsenal from an attacking sense, he struggled with his defensive positioning. AFP
    Cedric Soares, 6 -- Active from the first minute until the very last, and while that benefitted Arsenal from an attacking sense, he struggled with his defensive positioning. AFP
  • Thomas Partey, 5 -- Always comes across as one of the most naturally talented players on the pitch but could’ve done more with his distribution. AFP
    Thomas Partey, 5 -- Always comes across as one of the most naturally talented players on the pitch but could’ve done more with his distribution. AFP
  • Granit Xhaka, 6 -- Protected the midfield with real strength and was clearly hesitant to push into the final third. PA
    Granit Xhaka, 6 -- Protected the midfield with real strength and was clearly hesitant to push into the final third. PA
  • Nicolas Pepe, 7 -- Scratched and clawed for every chance he got with the sort of urgency that his Arsenal tenure has been lacking up to this point. EPA
    Nicolas Pepe, 7 -- Scratched and clawed for every chance he got with the sort of urgency that his Arsenal tenure has been lacking up to this point. EPA
  • Emile Smith Rowe, 5 -- Showcased glimpses of what he capable of when charging through United’s central midfielders, but it didn’t happen often enough. PA
    Emile Smith Rowe, 5 -- Showcased glimpses of what he capable of when charging through United’s central midfielders, but it didn’t happen often enough. PA
  • Gabriel Martinelli, 6 -- As creative as he’s been in an Arsenal shirt and probably should’ve been given more time before being substituted. PA
    Gabriel Martinelli, 6 -- As creative as he’s been in an Arsenal shirt and probably should’ve been given more time before being substituted. PA
  • Alexandre Lacazette, 6 -- Did well with his free kick that rattled the bar but went missing for large spells which, in a game like this, is disappointing for the Gunners. PA
    Alexandre Lacazette, 6 -- Did well with his free kick that rattled the bar but went missing for large spells which, in a game like this, is disappointing for the Gunners. PA
  • SUBS: Willian, 5 -- Fell short of the mark after missing a huge chance within a few minutes of being introduced after half time. Reuters
    SUBS: Willian, 5 -- Fell short of the mark after missing a huge chance within a few minutes of being introduced after half time. Reuters
  • Martin Odegaard, N/A -- Looked as active as he could’ve been but needed longer to embed himself into Arsenal’s rhythm. PA
    Martin Odegaard, N/A -- Looked as active as he could’ve been but needed longer to embed himself into Arsenal’s rhythm. PA
  • Eddie Nketiah, N/A -- Didn’t really have much time to impact the game in the wake of Lacazette’s unfortunate injury. Getty Images
    Eddie Nketiah, N/A -- Didn’t really have much time to impact the game in the wake of Lacazette’s unfortunate injury. Getty Images
  • MANCHESTER UNITED PLAYER RATINGS: David De Gea – 6. Little to do in the first half. Saw a free-kick hit his crossbar and then saved from Smith-Rowe after 66 as Arsenal dominated. United’s problem wasn’t at his end of the field but the lack of conviction in front of him against a team missing three of their best players. EPA
    MANCHESTER UNITED PLAYER RATINGS: David De Gea – 6. Little to do in the first half. Saw a free-kick hit his crossbar and then saved from Smith-Rowe after 66 as Arsenal dominated. United’s problem wasn’t at his end of the field but the lack of conviction in front of him against a team missing three of their best players. EPA
  • Aaron Wan Bissaka – 6. Interception led to a 17th minute attack, headed well wide after 32. Got forward. Was out of position but recovered to block the unmarked Willian’s excellent chance at start of second. Booked. Needless late foul on Willian. AP
    Aaron Wan Bissaka – 6. Interception led to a 17th minute attack, headed well wide after 32. Got forward. Was out of position but recovered to block the unmarked Willian’s excellent chance at start of second. Booked. Needless late foul on Willian. AP
  • Harry Maguire – 6. Fine in first half, blocked Pepe’s strong shot on goal. Booked for free-kick which led to 75th minute free-kick. Super cross to Cavani after 88. AP
    Harry Maguire – 6. Fine in first half, blocked Pepe’s strong shot on goal. Booked for free-kick which led to 75th minute free-kick. Super cross to Cavani after 88. AP
  • Victor Lindelof – 6. Untroubled and had better of Lacazette, despite the latter’s protestations. But another 0-0 against a bigger team. That’s where United are at the moment – good enough to hold but struggle to beat the best. AP
    Victor Lindelof – 6. Untroubled and had better of Lacazette, despite the latter’s protestations. But another 0-0 against a bigger team. That’s where United are at the moment – good enough to hold but struggle to beat the best. AP
  • Luke Shaw - 7. Got forward as United were better in the first half and energetic to the last, even when Arsenal had their spells in a game neither team really wanted to win. Or lose. Reuters
    Luke Shaw - 7. Got forward as United were better in the first half and energetic to the last, even when Arsenal had their spells in a game neither team really wanted to win. Or lose. Reuters
  • Fred - 6. Came closest to scoring in the first half and shot well wide later on as United’s poor run against Arsenal continued. AP
    Fred - 6. Came closest to scoring in the first half and shot well wide later on as United’s poor run against Arsenal continued. AP
  • Scott McTominay - 5. Off after 37 having spent 10 minutes touching his knees. He had a poorly stomach. Wasn’t on the pace when he was on the field. AP
    Scott McTominay - 5. Off after 37 having spent 10 minutes touching his knees. He had a poorly stomach. Wasn’t on the pace when he was on the field. AP
  • Paul Pogba - 6. Played Fernandes in after 33, then dropped back as McTominay went off. United looked better as a result. Booked for a challenge on Willian. AFP
    Paul Pogba - 6. Played Fernandes in after 33, then dropped back as McTominay went off. United looked better as a result. Booked for a challenge on Willian. AFP
  • Bruno Fernandes - 6. A year since he signed and he’s been the best player in that year but he didn’t stand out at the Emirates. Agitated early on, then shot wide after beating Luiz after 33. Free kick blocked. EPA
    Bruno Fernandes - 6. A year since he signed and he’s been the best player in that year but he didn’t stand out at the Emirates. Agitated early on, then shot wide after beating Luiz after 33. Free kick blocked. EPA
  • Marcus Rashford - 6. Hasn’t scored against Arsenal since his debut nearly five years ago. Paused and then took several touches with a chance just before half time. Fast but hesitant in front of goal. Shot into the side of the goal a minute before he was brought off after 79. PA
    Marcus Rashford - 6. Hasn’t scored against Arsenal since his debut nearly five years ago. Paused and then took several touches with a chance just before half time. Fast but hesitant in front of goal. Shot into the side of the goal a minute before he was brought off after 79. PA
  • Edinson Cavani - 5. Frustrated. With himself, his team and the match because he’s a winner, but Arsenal’s recent record against United is impressive and they’d picked up 16 points from 18 games. Shot just wide after 58 minutes and with a bicycle kick after 89 at the end of a disappointing week for United. They were big chances for a big name striker. PA
    Edinson Cavani - 5. Frustrated. With himself, his team and the match because he’s a winner, but Arsenal’s recent record against United is impressive and they’d picked up 16 points from 18 games. Shot just wide after 58 minutes and with a bicycle kick after 89 at the end of a disappointing week for United. They were big chances for a big name striker. PA
  • Anthony Martial - 6. On for McTominay after 37. Maligned midweek and dropped. Created a chance for Cavani. Both need goals. EPA
    Anthony Martial - 6. On for McTominay after 37. Maligned midweek and dropped. Created a chance for Cavani. Both need goals. EPA
  • Mason Greenwood - 6. On for Rashford with 11 to play and United needing goal. A consolation is United went a record 18 games away unbeaten, but one point from six this week is a blow. EPA
    Mason Greenwood - 6. On for Rashford with 11 to play and United needing goal. A consolation is United went a record 18 games away unbeaten, but one point from six this week is a blow. EPA

Football

Bernd Leno 8, Thomas Partey 5; Paul Pogba 6, Edinson Cavani 5: Arsenal v Manchester United player ratings

Goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium sees Solskjaer's side sit three points behind leaders Manchester City

Andy Mitten
Harry Kettle
Barcelona and Manchester

January 31, 2021

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Manchester United only marginally closed the gap on Premier League leaders Manchester City on Saturday after being held to a goalless draw at Arsenal.

Trailing by four points ahead of kick-off following City's earlier win over Sheffield United, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side reduced the deficit to three, but will be leapfrogged by third-placed Leicester City if they beat Leeds United on Sunday.

Following the shock loss to bottom side Sheffield United in midweek, a trip to Arsenal could have been a chance for United to bounce straight back, particularly with the Gunners missing three of their key players. Bukayo Saka and Kieran Tierney were both absent through injury, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed out due to Covid protocols.

Ultimately, neither side could find the breakthrough, although United set a new club record of 18 away games unbeaten in the league while Arsenal, eighth on 31 points, have not lost in seven matches since Christmas.

Assessing the performances at the Emirates Stadium, Harry Kettle has provided the player ratings for the Arsenal squad, while Andy Mitten has given his verdict on Manchester United in the photo gallery above.

To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.

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