Sunday 22/01/2012
Premier League
Dany Welbeck secures all three points for the Champions against a lacklustre Arsenal side.
Prior to kick off we had seen Manchester City beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 at home, meaning United needed to win at the Emirates Stadium to keep up the pressure on the leaders.
Anders Lindegaard was preferred in goal for the fourth consecutive match as he bids to secure United's number one spot. Danny Welbeck was rewarded for his goalscoring performance agaisnt Bolton last weekend as he started up front along side Wayne Rooney. Phil Jones was back in the starting line-up, appearing at right back.
However the Englishman's return was short lived when after 16 minutes he was stretchered off through injury after he had fallen awkwardly whilst defending an Arsenal counter attack. Early reports are that he will be facing a couple of weeks on the side lines. Rafael was his replacement slotting in at right back.
Despite the injury United went onto dominate, pushing Arsenal deep into their own half. Nani and Patrice Evra probed down the left flank making life tough for Yohan Djourou in the Arsenal defense.
The home crowd was being silenced by the attacking display of the away side, however United weren't converting the pressure into goals, Johnny Evans came close following a Ryan Giggs free kick and Danny Welbeck blazed a close range shot over the bar. Just as it seemed Arsenal were going to get to half time on levels terms United struck. Ryan Giggs floated in a pinpoint cross from the left wing which Antonio Valencia headed home to put the away side one up at the break. It was the least they deserved after a strong half from the defending Champions.
After a torrid first half Djourou was replaced by 18 year old full back Nicholas Yennaris as Arsenal tried to negate the threat of Nani and Evra down the left. In the 51st minute Arsenal almost drew level, when Chris Smalling slipped, Tomas Rosicky took advantage storming through on goal, he unselfishly set up Robin van Persie who somehow blazed his shot wide of the post from a great position.
Despite the miss Arsenal found their feet in the second half as the game evened out into a much tighter contest.Moments after the Dutchman's miss Alex Oxlade - Chamberlain setup Aaron Ramsay in the box but the Welshman fired his shot over the bar. In a frentic few minutes United had a great chance to pull two ahead when Danny Welbeck outpaced Per Mertesacker, to go one on one with Wojciech Szczęsny, the English forward managed to pass past the keeper, but the ball didn't have to the pace to cross the line before Mertesacker got back to clear the ball inches from goal.
United were made to pay for not putting the game to bed whene Oxlade-Chamberlain burst through the United defense at speed in the 71st minute, set up Robin van Persie who beautifully placed his shot across goal into the bottom corner of Lindegaard's net. Arsenal had fought back after a poor first half and now seemed to be the team in the ascendency.
Soon after the goal Paul Scholes was brought on for Nani, who had picked up a knock and Ryan Giggs moved out onto the left. The substitution changed the game as United kept possession well in the middle of the park. In the 81st minute it was a Paul Scholes ball, floated into Valencia's path that created the winner. The Ecuadorian jinked his way past a couple of defenders, playing an excellent one-two in the process before Danny Welbeck smashed home from close range.
United responded in the best way possible to the equaliser by moving ahead again. Arsenal piled on the pressure in the closing stages but the visitors held on to secure the spoils. The reds sent out a message that they are not giving up their title without a fight as they move back to within three points of the leaders Manchester City.
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