Arsenal 0-0 Manchester United: Alexandre Lacazette hits bar for Gunners
Lacazette #Lacazette
Manchester United remain unbeaten away from Old Trafford in the Premier League in 2020-21
Manchester United dropped points for the third time in four Premier League games with this goalless draw against under-strength Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.
United striker Edinson Cavani had two good chances late on but Arsenal fully deserved their point on a bitterly cold night in north London.
The Gunners went closest when Alexandre Lacazette’s clipped free-kick hit the bar after the break while United keeper David de Gea saved well from Emile Smith Rowe and Nicolas Pepe also threatened to break the deadlock.
De Gea’s counterpart Bernd Leno also distinguished himself with an athletic fingertip save from Fred in the first half.
United came within inches of winning it in the closing stages when Cavani saw a close-range effort deflected wide off Leno and the Uruguay striker then hooked a superb cross from Aaron Wan-Bissaka just wide when he looked certain to score.
Arsenal gave a late debut to Martin Odegaard, signed on loan from Real Madrid, but he had little impact and the stalemate leaves United three points behind Manchester City having played a game more.
Arsenal show promising signs
Arsenal will always hope to win games at home but manager Mikel Arteta is unlikely to be too unhappy with this point against United.
The Spaniard suffered a couple of significant injury blows before kick-off when Bukayo Saka and Kieran Tierney were ruled out, adding to the absence of leading striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who was missing for personal reasons.
Arsenal’s reshuffled side acquitted itself well, although they were breathing a heavy sigh of relief when Cavani missed two openings that such an accomplished marksman might be expected to convert.
Arteta’s players have responded well to last Saturday’s bitterly disappointing FA Cup fourth-round loss at Southampton with a league victory away at Saints followed by this hard-earned point against United.
The Gunners went close to making it two victories since that exit, with Lacazette’s free-kick bouncing to safety off the woodwork with De Gea motionless – although that would have been harsh on United.
Arteta, constantly cajoling from his technical area, has a side that is very much a work in progress but their endeavour here – especially given the absence of key players – demonstrated he has something to build on.
Player of the match
Smith RoweEmile Smith Rowe
More to follow.
Line-ups Arsenal
Formation 4-2-3-1
1Leno
2Bellerín16Holding23David Luiz17Cédric Soares
18Partey34Xhaka
19Pépé32Smith Rowe35Martinelli
9Lacazette
Substitutes
Man Utd
Formation 4-2-3-1
1de Gea
29Wan-Bissaka2Lindelöf5Maguire23Shaw
39McTominay17Fred
10Rashford18Bruno Fernandes6Pogba
7Cavani
Substitutes
Live Text
Match ends, Arsenal 0, Manchester United 0.
90’+7′
Second Half ends, Arsenal 0, Manchester United 0.
90’+4′
Attempt missed. Fred (Manchester United) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Edinson Cavani.
90’+4′
Substitution, Arsenal. Eddie Nketiah replaces Alexandre Lacazette because of an injury.
90′
Harry Maguire (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90′
Foul by Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal).
89′
Attempt missed. Edinson Cavani (Manchester United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Aaron Wan-Bissaka with a cross.
87′
Attempt missed. Cédric Soares (Arsenal) right footed shot from long range on the left is too high from a direct free kick.
86′
Foul by Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Manchester United).
86′
Willian (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
83′
Edinson Cavani (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
83′
Foul by Rob Holding (Arsenal).
83′
Substitution, Arsenal. Martin Ødegaard replaces Emile Smith Rowe.
82′
Mason Greenwood (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
82′
Foul by David Luiz (Arsenal).
81′
Attempt missed. Nicolas Pépé (Arsenal) left footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Héctor Bellerín.
81′
Paul Pogba (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
81′
Foul by Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal).
80′
Substitution, Manchester United. Mason Greenwood replaces Marcus Rashford.
80′
Attempt missed. Marcus Rashford (Manchester United) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Aaron Wan-Bissaka.