Souness: Man. United Exploited Arsenal's Vulnerability

Arsenal’s vulnerability to the counter-attack is costing them, says Graeme Souness.

Arsene Wenger’s men were twice hit on the break by Manchester United on Saturday Night Football, and eventually slipped to a 2-1 defeat to their rivals at the Emirates.

Whilst the hosts racked up almost twice as many attempts on target as United and worked David de Gea nine times, they often left themselves short at the back and eventually paid the price, said Souness.

“We spoke about confidence before the game and that's what both these teams need,” said the Sky Sports pundit. “But Arsenal are going away with even less than what they started with after this.

“United had to rely on their goalkeeper but they grew into the game and became threatening in the second half, while again we come back to Arsenal’s vulnerability. When Arsenal get on the front foot, the empty spaces they leave behind them make them so vulnerable.

“It happens all the time. At 1-0 you’re still very much in the game. You must play like that, until the last minute when you have to go for it.

“They got picked off but they play like that when they’re winning 1-0! They leave empty spaces all the time. You have got to have someone who is willing to sacrifice themselves and fill spaces. If they had someone thinking like that a lot of their problems would be eliminated.”

Wayne Rooney chipped in United’s second after Kieran Gibbs had diverted Antonio Valencia’s drive into his own net and Souness said the England captain deserved his reward after a typically hard-working display.

The forward regularly dropped in to mark Arsenal playmaker Mikel Arteta when United didn’t have the ball, before breaking with Angel di Maria on the counter-attack.

“Rooney was very workmanlike and did a job for the team,” said Souness.

“I’d imagine Rooney is first on the training ground and last off the ground. He just loves football and that’s the way he plays. He’s quite happy just to be on the pitch. That was the case tonight. His job, his priority was to stop Arteta getting on the ball and doing things.

“He’s a goal-scorer and they like to see their names in the headlines on a Monday morning, but he’s also willing to do a job for the cause.”

Jamie Redknapp stopped short of suggesting United’s victory was a major turning point for Louis van Gaal’s side but he is confident, given the attacking firepower they possess, they will finish in the top four come the end of the season.

The win over Arsenal moved United into those Champions League-qualifying spots and Redknapp says they’ll be buoyed by taking all three points from a top-four rival.

“I think Manchester United will finish in the top four this year,” he said. “They’ve got quality going forward and not playing Champions League football week-in, week-out will help them.

“They could have been two or three down and were up against it in the first half hour, but this gives them confidence and this is a starting point.

“They’ve won five games this season and they’ll win more because of the quality they’ve got going forward.”

Credit: skysports.com