Arsenal big names need a BIG performance at Old Trafford

by .

It’s the BIG ONE.

Arsenal vs Manchester United. Away from home. The reignition of a classic? Maybe.

Both sides head into this game out of form in the league. United haven’t won at home for three games. We haven’t won away against a top 6 side in 359 years. We are both not where we should be in the league.

It is a must win for both sides. Both sets of fans will be immensely frustrated with a sharing of the spoils

Arteta needs to win because though we’ve been tough to beat, we’re not racking up points in these big games.

Ole G needs to win because he’s spent a lot of cash for not a lot of output so far.

Arsenal fans are looking for a performance. I don’t buy that we have to have 62 shots on target to make a performance count, I think we just need to do better than we have been. Averaging 8 attempts at goal a game isn’t good for the soul. We need a bit more today. I don’t want to be celebrating a glorious loss again. We need to move beyond being competitive at this stage.

I think Arteta plays a fine margins game, but we’re not quite a fine margins team yet. To get a performance, he needs more than 6 of his players at the top of their game. I’m not sure we’ve seen a game like that so far this season.

These are the moments that are built for big players. Backs against the wall, low expectations, a grim record to surmount.

I want to see a ferocious Arsenal today. I want to see players like Willian show why we invested so much money in them. I want to see what Thomas Partey is all about. I want to see captain Auba impose himself.

Aside from that, I want to see some purpose and intent behind our attack. I think Arteta has cut out a lot of the nonsense we’ve seen from this squad in big games, but that’s led us to become a very low-risk side. When the objective is not to make a mistake, you improve defensively, but you also reduce the taste for risk. I want to see big players gamble. I want to see us take chances. If things don’t work out, I don’t want to see players hide… we need to keep plugging away until something good happens.

This is a huge game. It feels special. I am very excited.

You should feel the same. Let’s enjoy the game and see where we land. Catch you in the comments!

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MilanoGunner

A win at last away at a big club (permitted it is Man U) with the solid defense.. Get in

Useroz

Elneny did very very well too.

Not just the pressing but also his many forward runs and passes.

One of the most complete performance considering the opposition and venue.

Champagne charlie

Banford, Dariano and Dwayne forming the triangle of tears with Ole showing once again he’s a wank manager.

Would’ve been great hearing how their squad is levels above ours after that one-sided affair. Absolute clinic from the lads.

Emiratesstroller

Arsenal’s defensive performance tonight was excellent. Gabriel is turning out to be an outstanding acquisition and both Elneny and Partey in Midfield played very well.

The only downside in tonight’s performance is the lack of cutting edge in attack. Lacazette had once again a woeful game and I must confess that Willian was also very average.

We need to sort out our attack otherwise we will continue to struggle in our matches. Scoring just 9 goals in 7 games is simply not good enough.

Frankly Manchester United look like a mess at the moment.

Marko

Gabs was immense. If we can find him a partner next to him at CB. Life would be so good.

Mid I predict that if we get champions league football next summer that long mooted Upamecano move will happen

MilanoGunner

Gabriel and Thomas came to the Partey tonight

Luteo Guenreira

Fuck yes finally a win at Old Trafford. Just barely able to catch the 2nd half but glad I tuned in.

Karsa

Mo motm. First name on the team sheet going forward.

Never thought I’d say those words, but this result has me grinning like a loom.

Gabriel awesome also.

TheLegendaryDB10

Now, if only Brighton could win vs Spuds at their shithole, that would really make this night even more magic.

This game really showed what we are capable of doing. Arteta really needs to build on this and I am sure he will.

Really, really happy with tonight’s win!!!!

Habesha Gooner

RH
I know it is not a top 4 place but pedro can gloat as he wants tonight. Every arsenal fan has been waiting to take three points from oldtraford for 14 years. We can celebrate tonight and we will whine about the creativity tommorow.

prvhc

We were good in the first half, and were definitely the better team overall.
But we got some rub of the green and our only goal was a.penalty.
We can celebrate the result and the performances of Gabriel and Partey (shout-out to Elneny), but are attack is still sub-par.

Champagne charlie

Ahh who needs Banford when there’s always someone there to “reality check” folk.

First win at Old Trafford in 14 years but let’s not celebrate it because we’re not a small club. Yea ok guys, or it was a great win maybe?

Upstate Gooner

7 shots with only 2 on target (one is a penalty). Two extremely poor subs IMHO at the end which could have cost us the game. BUT…. a win is a win, and 3 points in the bag against a very tricky United side on the road (albeit with no fans).

Receding Hairline

“Please dont start the “its going to be quiet because arsenal won shit”
think everyone here wants arsenal to win all games’

Its something some posters need. This you are a poor fan thing and want us to lose because you have a bad thing or two to say about the coach or the setup

Pay no heed

Luteo Guenreira

RH

It’s been fourteen fucking years since a win at OT, you probably still had hair back then, give the rest of us a break for celebrating, it’s been like ten minutes since the final whistle. Always so eager to be a wet blanket.

TR7

Of course not the time to nitpick but our attack js still a worry. Very few genuine chances created despite having a lot of the ball. We don’t create varied combinations in the opposition third to flummox the opposition. Great win and I love nothing more than Arsenal beating United but not sure how we will score enough number of goals to get top 4. Something has to change. May be Saka as CAM and a genuine winger playing on the left can change things for us.

raptora

I agree it was another fine margins game. This win is even better because we saw individual performances shine. Team play is important but if you have the big players in Partey, Gabriel, Bellerin, Auba, you are going to win many games just because of the better individualities when the game is tight.

Jamie

One, OGS is an excellent manager. Two, Utd are a beautiful side. Three, Emery would’ve won this too.

So, sorry but no, this was not a ‘great’ win. Then something about West Ham and xG.

Hope I’ve covered everything.

Vintage Gun

So sweet

So so sweet

Useroz

How much did we pay for Gabriel?

Surely his market value have gone up

McGuire costed how much again?

Shows how the right kind of buys make big differences.

Get Szoboszlai in Jan to complete the story….

GS88

Being a bit gready, I’d of liked us to have won 3-0 or 4-0 today. After not winning there for some 14 years, and for those humiliating defeats we’ve suffered their over the years.

But well done to the lads, Arteta and coaching team. Plus the club.

Well done.

Onwards and upwards!!!

salparadisenyc

Right two new signings really doing it at Ole T, Partey was immense,. Really announced himself today for me. Was envisioning Deano sending Gab off there at the end, would of been so on brand, thankfully no.

Dar_ian_o banned, lets fix that Pedro, he’s earned the banter coming.

karim

I mean from 2nd spot sorry

Globalgunner

Some posters wake up in the morning and for them Laca has already had a bad day. He did more than ok. He played most of the game near the centre circle, occupying the defenders and pressing like mad, The whole team did well. No bad performance from any of the players that started the match. Props to Arteta, as long as he doesnt go back to playing Xhaka, Mustafi and Kolasinac. those 3 should be gone by Xmas.

Jim+Lahey

How much did we pay for Gabriel?

22m, a steal

Rich

Pedro

Absolutely buzzing

We got a bit of luck with the ball bouncing back off the post, we’ve been unlucky with a few decisions so far, we were overdue that.

It was another really professional and competitive performance, we were largely first to the ball, and overall deserved the result

Venga, Dani

Love how Gabriel has that unique ability to get away with things on the pitch.

Receding Hairline

“First win at Old Trafford in 14 years but let’s not celebrate it because we’re not a small club.”

That stat says more about us than old Trafford post Fergie to be honest. Literally everyone has won there since he left .

We should be relived and can mock Man United supporting friends but that’s just about that.

Not that I am stopping you from throwing a party by the way.

Marko

Charlie I’m not going to get ahead of myself still a lot of work to do to get where we need to be but in saying that anyone who’s acting as a counter to people being happy with an Arsenal win at Old Trafford needs to get fucked.

prvhc

Partey looked a level above everyone else on the field.
If he can maintain this level 50 mil will look like chump change.

AFC Forever

Gabriel and Partey are fantastic signings.

Elneny has come back and looks a different player, soredit Arteta and his coaching. This is what people don’t understand, players need to know their roles. These are early days still but you cannot knock our organisation under this Manager.

Jamie

Partey and Gab transformative signings. Tierney as well. Rock solid.

Special shoutout to ElMo – the best 90 mins of his career. Couldn’t hit a barn door, but he did everything else extremely well tonight.

What a great win! Fuck Utd.

azed

A win against United is a good thing. I don’t care about the performance when it comes to United.

We can complain about the performance someday but that day isn’t today.

AFC Forever

*credit Arteta and his organisation.

raptora

Dean got our back for once. On another day Gabriel’s foul was easily a second yellow with 20 mins to go. We could have lost the game.

Tom

Well deserved, everyone played well.
Pedro, correction, not everyone thought we’d lose.
United’s been shit at home this season.

MidwestGun

OGS playing a 4 diamond 2 like it’s 2015.. great manager … I think they should keep him on for years..

Useroz

Not all one nil games are / feel the same.

Individuals and the team played well and we deserved it.

Fine margins but not lucky or a fluke. xG supports the result i believe.

If Willian’s shot went in or Saka headed down we’d have led at HT.

But the good thing is, we defended well as a team and put Manure on the back foot.

Luteo Guenreira

Bam got binned again? Let me guess was it after the Leicester match?

Emiratesstroller

I have been always supportive of Lacazette, but his form this season is shocking and we are
reaching the point where we need to make a decision about his future.

Overall I do think that Arsenal are not far short of a competitive team, but our lack of goals at
the moment is a little worrying.

Venga, Dani

The only worry for me is that there weren’t really any defensive subs we could bring on to sure up the game. I guess we have injuries, but we didnt have any more defensive midfielders to bring on to sure things up.

salparadisenyc

Fair point Pedro, if you can now seduce the powers that be for a Spurs loss i’ll send a care package of Peroni’s to Brooklyn.

SpanishDave

More movement in midfield, we moved the ball forward more quickly.
The team benefited by being more balanced

MidwestGun

Luteo-
No…. it was after the Manc CL win…. over the germans. Bam came on under his alter ego to gloat.

Rich

Partey

Touches 79 1st
Possession won 11 1st
Tackles + interceptions 6 1st
Dribbles completed 1st

Absolute monster

AFC Forever

RH

What is your problem? You seem upset about the result. You need to give Dariano a call he will be song Ng his heart out.

Graham62

Despite my pessimism before the game, I have to admit I was impressed.

Better in every department.

No GX 🙏. Makes a monumental difference.

Gabriel was excellent, as was Elneny.

Partey is top notch. Made a couple of errors but won the ball back immediately.

We won at OT!

Wonderful.

Receding Hairline

“Cheer up, being salty after a win isn’t a good look.”

Well Paulinho asked a question and I answered, TR7 then followed up with practically the same observation. By all means focus on just me though and call me salty

Luteo Guenreira

Has Elneny done enough to take Xhaka’s spot then ? Might be the way to go especially for bigger matches.

Nelson

Elneny is a runner and passes well. But Partey gives the team so much confidence. He never panic with the ball. The whole team advanced the ball with confidence. Willian’s link up play is much better than Pepe. Maybe try replacing Laca by Pepe and play Pepe through the middle or on the Left. Laca didn’t have a single shot on goal.

raptora

Two days ago I watched a replay of 2016’s Elneny’s magical goal at Nou Camp. He was top class in that game as well.

Useroz

Agree this is just one win and we are a bug club and all.

This sort of performance should be the rule rather than the exception.

It’d be up to Arteta to ensure.

It’s a long road ahead to next May

Useroz

*big* club

well, buggy too you feel

Globalgunner

Emirates Stroller. i could say the same thing about Auba. What has he done this season. Apart from score a pen today. Our problems are obvious Xhaka and Mustafi. Get rid of those two and also Kolasinac and the eternal stink that is Ozil. get Martinelli fit and we can push on for top 4

raptora

Partey and Gabriel head and shoulders our highest ceiling players at the moment. Insane class oozing out of them.

Rich

Graham

Want some of my meds?

Hahaha

AFC Forever

I am with Pedro.

Why are people on here trying not to enjoy the win. No Arsenal fan would complain ten minutes after beating this lot and getting our first away win against top 6 for years.

Suck it up buttercups. Artetas Army is coming to get you.

It’s PARTEY time…!!

zaco

Paulinho
November 1, 2020 18:29:23

“Did we have a shot on target in the second half? Can’t remember.”

The long range by Partey

Paulinho

“Two days ago I watched a replay of 2016’s Elneny’s magical goal at Nou Camp. He was top class in that game as well.”

Played very well away at Everton & West Ham during that spell as well.

The only time I’ve seen him have a shocker was away at Everton when he partnered Guendouzi in Emery’s first season.

Receding Hairline

“Pedro, correction, not everyone thought we’d lose.
United’s been shit at home this season.”

Another salty fellow who needs to get fucked I guess

Not only have they been shit, we spend half the time on here mocking their clueless coach. They haven’t won there this season.

Marko

Loved the Partey and Pogba duels as well today. You could tell both enjoyed it

Emiratesstroller

Partey is unquestionably an excellent investment. Both he and Elneny controlled the midfield
tonight. They look a much better combination in central midfield than Ceballos and Xhaka.

Le Sauce

Partey, Gabriel and Mo Elneny did it for me …

TR7

This was Ole’s 100th game as United manager 😛

DivineSherlock

Pedro

You mentioned that we needed maybe 6 players on top of their game to win those matches at fine margins . I think we had 8 ! Apart from Laca , Willian and maybe I am being harsh but also Nketiah after he came on everyone played immensely . Big props to Bellerin who is steadily looking like the best .

RodneyKing

Sweet, sweet victory! Finally, a win at Old Trafford. Gabriel was immense once again. Partey, Elneny, Holding and Bellerin as well.

It definitely wasn’t a classic but Arsenal thoroughly deserved to win.

Habesha Gooner

1 nil to the Arsenal is going to be the way this season if we are going to finish in spots that we want. The George Graham way is back.

azed

Azed, because it was a great performance.

Pedro

Yes it was. I don’t get all snide remarks. Beating UTD is always fun and we should all be celebrating.

Luteo Guenreira

Mid

Thanks for update 😂 not surprising to hear he was chuffed after that game. Such a dedicated United fan he is. Sorry I missed it, Da.riano sightings are a rare drop in the LeGrove universe.

Jim+Lahey

@Marko –

“Loved the Partety and Pogba duels as well today. You could tell both enjoyed it”

Even better when we pick up Pogba on a free next summer! 🤣

Guns of SF

what I loved about TP is when he gave the ball away, he immediately won it back.
None of this standing around shit we used to do…

Too early to call his being like Vieira but a performance like this surely puts him on the path…

Gabriel all over today, even with a yellow!

Great win….. wow!

Jim+Lahey

@Pedro –

Please unban both, the banter will be immense

Habesha Gooner

Divine I forgot Bellerin. I have always believed there is a world beater in him. He is actually getting back to form this season. I am glad he is playing consistently.

Captain Tierney

Mohamed Elneny v #MUFC

66 passes (most for Arsenal player)
55 completed passes (most for Arsenal player)
39 passes in opponents half (more than anyone on the pitch)
Conceded just one foul up against Bruno, Pogba, Van De Beek etc.

Partey was immense today and the fact that Elneny overshadowed a Partey masterclass is just mind blowing.

Wenger knew.

Marko

But yeah dare I say it far better team performance without Xhaka in it. Not just the two midfielders having good games as evidence but the passing seemed more positive and faster going forward

Receding Hairline

El neny has always been a dependable footballer, nothing flashy but his give and go style of play beats Xhaka’s static game all day long.

Remember saying on here I was surprised Emery didn’t keep him for his first season, was never a poor footballer, reminds me of Obi Mikel in the way he plays in midfield, with him you always have a passing option.

Is this Arteta’s Eureka moment when it comes to Xhaka, that’s what celebrating if yes.

BacaryisGod

Partey is half the player Pobga is. Correction-Partey is half the price Pogba is.

What a player…

TR7

Let Banford post again Pedders, will be fun to see him tying himself in knots explaining United’s horrid performance.

Kaz

@Pedro This was a huge midfield win. We battled hard and won the middle of the pitch. Gabriel is the signing of the season. Leno’s distribution was better! I saw him kick it long a few times and he did it quickly once, much better and another positive. We ran out of steam which is true and is something that probably cannot be fixed until next summer pre season. However the shots total was low once again! We could have and should have shot more often and this needs to be worked on. We managed to get into threatening areas… Read more »

Kay

Fantastic win this……

Tierney
Gabriel
Partey
Elneny

Were immense today

Useroz

Elneny v Xhaka would be a good debate.

Xhaka costed £35m and Elneny £5m?

On pace alone i’d go with Elneny (on today’s performance ) unless it’s an Europa game so Xhaka can share the workload a bit.

Other than the occasional good, long forward passes, what do you see Xhaka offers more than/ different to Elneny?

Captain Tierney

The energy, power and Athletic ability Elneny and Partey add is vital if we are looking to win game 1-0 all season.

BacaryisGod

Elneny, 2nd game in 4 days and he’s hounding Shaw in the last couple of minutes refusing to allow him to get a cross in. Inspirational.

Receding Hairline

“RH, Tom doesn’t behave like he dislikes Arsenal the way you do.”

What a baseless accusation to make.

Paulinho and TR7 made the same observation I did.

Tom also pointed out the team we beat haven’t won at home all season.

But I am the guy that hates Arsenal because I question Arteta? Arsenal isn’t Arteta.

Jim+Lahey

@Pedro –

I feel he will back in one form or another.

Luteo Guenreira

Bam ford if you’re reading this: get a VPN you melt 😂

MilanoGunner

The Vegan RB took a long time to get fit, now looks like he has his fitness back, should be interesting to see how he uses his experience this season..

Daniel

I remember hearing about someone from France, perhaps from Lille, saying that Gabriel is one of the 5 most dominant CBs in the world. Nothing I’ve seen from him so far would suggest otherwise. What a player!

MidwestGun

Have to say Xhaka on the bench is his best position. He covers lots of space there 6 ft apart to be exact.

TR7

Not a told you so type but always liked Elneny as a player right from the beginning. That he is not flashy goes against him when it comes to approval from fans but I was surprised even Wenger gave up on him.

Mee

Massive win…Elneny and Partey were phenomenal while Auba scored. Now we need to string together several wins. Arteta got his shit together for this one.

Captain Tierney

Lacazette worked hard today.
But he is primary role is to score or help score goals. Didn’t help us in that regard Kept losing the ball.
In one instance, won the ball in a great are but botched his pass to Auba.

Jamie

Bam is so toxic. All he’d be doing is insisting how this loss was just a blip for OGS, that they’re still miles ahead of us, blah blah blah.

Boring as fuck, no insight, repetitive nonsense.

We played well and absolutely deserved the win today.

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