Man. United 1 Arsenal 1: Talking Points

We look back on the top talking points from Old Trafford where Arsenal clinched a 1-1 draw against Manchester United to ensure Louis van Gaal’s side will have to settle for a fourth place finish.

The hosts dominated the first half, taking the lead in the 30th minute when Ander Herrera volleyed Ashley Young’s cross beyond David Ospina.

But the Gunners fought back after the break and levelled the scores after 82 minutes when Tyler Blackett diverted Theo Walcott’s cross into his own net.

Fellaini and Young shine

Arsenal simply couldn’t cope with Young and Marouane Fellaini during a one-sided first half. The revitalised duo, who were key to United’s recent wins over Tottenham and Manchester City, combined to great effect once again to torment the Gunners.

Herrera deserves great credit for his superb, controlled finish, but United’s goal was crafted by Young and Fellaini. The winger’s deep cross was wonderfully accurate, and Fellaini’s late run towards the far post distracted Nacho Monreal and Laurent Koscielny and left Herrera unmarked.

Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness was particularly impressed by how Fellaini unsettled Arsenal. The Belgian midfielder won four aerial duels, played three key passes and also ran 11.87km in total, more than any other United player. “I’d give great credit to Fellaini,” said Souness. “He’s not the easiest on the eye but when he gets in the box he causes havoc, and he got them that goal. He doesn’t always get on the end of things but when people see him coming into the box late, the alarm bells start ringing.”

Young, meanwhile, was singled out as United’s “main threat” by team-mate Michael Carrick in the Sky Sports studio, and the stats certainly backed him up. The 29-year-old gave Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin a torrid afternoon, playing seven crosses and completing three dribbles while never shirking his defensive duties, which was shown by his five successful tackles.

Thierry Henry was full of praise for how Young and Fellaini have become key players for Louis van Gaal’s side. “Last year they were nowhere to be seen, they didn’t perform well,” said the former Arsenal striker. “We thought it was going to be the end for them at Man United, but they have responded ever so well this year. Ashley Young recently has been maybe the player of the season for them. I know they didn’t win today, but what a performance from him again.”

Walcott impact

Arsenal named an unchanged team for a sixth consecutive Premier League game for the first time since January 1994, but Theo Walcott’s late cameo will have given Arsene Wenger something to think about after he produced the equalising goal.

Walcott, who has not started a league game in over two months, must have been delighted to see Marcos Rojo replaced by rookie defender Blackett following his own introduction, and the United youngster duly diverted his cross beyond substitute goalkeeper Victor Valdes to level the scores.

“I’ve been very patient coming back from injury, it always takes time,” Walcott told Sky Sports afterwards. “As a substitute you need to be positive and focused because when you get a chance, you need to take it.”

Walcott admits he has found it “tough” being out of the side but he will hope for greater involvement in Arsenal’s final Premier League games ahead of the FA Cup final. “It’s always tough but I feel like I’m part of the squad. I had a year out, sometimes it takes time to get back into the team. I feel like I’m getting stronger.”

Wenger explained: “I have a squad of 25 players of top level and unfortunately you can only start 11. People forget that he has been out for a year. Jack (Wilshere) and him made a positive impact when they came on.”

Arsenal have a big decision to make on Walcott’s future with his contract set to expire in a year’s time, but the winger could help his cause with more crucial contributions before the end of the season.

Goodbye Falcao

One man whose future looks crystal clear is United’s on-loan striker Radamel Falcao. The Colombian waved goodbye to the home fans when he was replaced by Robin van Persie midway through the second half following another wretched performance.

“I thought it was Steven Gerrard leaving again,” joked Henry. “He was waving bye-bye. I don’t think we’re going to see him again in a Man Utd shirt at Old Trafford.”

The stats were damning. In his 60 minutes on the field, Falcao had no shots on target, completed no dribbles and played no key passes. He also had just 25 touches of the ball – fewer than anyone else, including United goalkeeper David De Gea, who was only on the pitch for 13 minutes longer, and Arsenal’s David Ospina.

Louis van Gaal dodged questioning on Falcao in his post-match interview, but the 29-year-old’s loan spell from Monaco will surely be chalked off as an expensive mistake. Much was expected from a player of his calibre, but his return of just four goals in 28 appearances sums up his struggles.

Others set to follow?

Falcao may not be the only United player to have played his final game at Old Trafford. David De Gea was forced off with an injury in the 73rd minute, and afterwards Van Gaal admitted his future at the club is far from certain amid interest from Real Madrid.

“David De Gea will not leave us easily because we are a great club and he wants to participate,” the Dutchman told Sky Sports. “But of course he is Spanish and his girlfriend is Spanish and he can go to another great club, so it’s difficult for him to decide.”

Henry feels the writing is on the wall. “It looked from what he’s saying that he’s on his way,” he said. “If I was a United fan, I would be upset because he’s a great player and you don’t want to see him leave.”

Souness also feels a return to Spain could be impossible to resist for De Gea, whose performances this season saw him named in the PFA Team of the Year. “It’s a chance to go to arguably the biggest club in Spain, maybe the world,” said Souness. “It’s his mother tongue, and as big as the lure of Man United is, going home to Madrid might just be too much of a pull.”

Record signing Angel Di Maria also faces an uncertain future having fallen out of favour in recent months. “There are some big decisions to be made,” added Souness. “They spent big at the start of the season, I would think they’re going to have to spend big again. Not all these players will stay. Di Maria is a monster decision for them.”

Then there’s Van Persie, who has struggled with form and injuries throughout the campaign and made little impact against his former side after replacing Falcao. “I think the manager will see it as a bit of a new broom,” sad Souness. “I think he’ll want to start fresh. As good as he has been throughout his career, I would think you might see Van Persie leaving.”

Ramsey makes the difference

For Arsenal, Aaron Ramsey was the stand-out performer. The Welshman’s worked tirelessly on the right-hand side, covering more ground than any other player (11.88km) and also completing the most sprints (80).

Ramsey has had to settle for a wide role in recent months due to the impressive form of Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin in the middle, but his best position remains central midfield, and the Gunners improved considerably after he moved into the middle following Walcott’s introduction.

t is a view supported by Henry. “When Ramsey went back in the middle and Theo Walcott went onto the right, that’s exactly when Ramsey took over the game,” he said. “He pinged that ball for Walcott and he had another ball in behind. The way he finished the game was brilliant because he enjoyed playing in the middle.”

Souness, meanwhile, feels Ramsey deserves more credit for his consistency. “I think we have to have a reality check on Ramsey,” he said. “When he plays, he’s always around a seven or an eight, and we’ve started to take that for granted, he’s that good.

“Today I think he was nearer a nine, nine-and-a-half. He’s consistent and I think we take him for granted. I think people should start to highlight what a really good player he is at 24.”

Credit: Skysports.com