Sun 17 May 2015, Old Trafford
1 - 1
FT
Referee: Mike Dean
Attendance: 75,323
#MUNARS
Attendance: 75,323
#MUNARS
Match Report
Arsenal edged towards securing the final automatic qualifying spot for the UEFA Champions League with a 1-1 draw at Manchester United.
Ander Herrera's eighth goal of the season looked set to prove decisive as Louis van Gaal's men made Arsenal pay for a poor first-half display. The visitors improved significantly after the break and, after injury had forced United goalkeeper David de Gea from the field, Arsenal pulled level with eight minutes to play as Theo Walcott's strike took a deflection off fellow substitute Tyler Blackett.
The result means Arsenal remain two points above fourth-placed United in the Barclays Premier League and can avoid a UEFA Champions League play-off tie by beating Sunderland in their midweek match in hand.
Marcos Rojo and Radamel Falcao replaced the injured duo of Luke Shaw and Wayne Rooney for United, with Chris Smalling taking the captain's armband in the latter's absence.
An unchanged Arsenal failed to make much of an impression during a quiet start to the match, Falcao enjoying the only opening of note when a fine challenge from Laurent Koscielny denied him on the end of Juan Mata's pass.
Mata struck a free-kick from the edge of the area into David Ospina's arms before a mix-up between De Gea and Phil Jones almost presented Olivier Giroud with a chance to open the scoring.
The first goal fell United's way shortly afterwards in the 30th minute. Ashley Young sent in a searching cross from the left and Arsenal's defenders were drawn towards Marouane Fellaini, leaving Herrera with room to slam home a volley at the back post.
Smalling inadvertently blocked a drive from team-mate Daley Blind as Arsenal limped towards half-time.
Alexis Sanchez had been largely starved of service by the time he sliced wildly over from Giroud's flick on.
United continued to control the early second-half play, with Mata to the fore. The Spaniard was unable to create a goal for Falcao, who made way for Robin van Persie after the hour.
De Gea saved with his feet from Giroud before with 20 minutes remaining, Aaron Ramsey was able to lift the ball over the United goalkeeper, but Rojo made a vital clearance.
A back injury ended De Gea's afternoon early, heralding a United debut for Victor Valdes. The former Barcelona goalkeeper was beaten when Walcott collected a raking pass from Ramsey and his effort across goal spun in off Blackett.
Giroud rippled the side netting as Arsenal pressed for the win with urgency , although Van Persie almost caught them out when he lashed over in the 88th minute.
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal: "I think the difference between Chelsea and Manchester United at this moment is they can finish a game, they can kill a game. When you are 1-0 ahead with fantastic football - they [Arsenal] did not cross the [halfway] line in the first half, I think. You create a lot of chances, you score a fantastic goal - then you have to finish a game.
"Chelsea can finish a game, can kill that game and that's the difference. I don't think Arsenal can do it because they lost 1-0 [to Swansea City] last week and I don't think Manchester City can do it. That's the difference in the top four and that's the mentality that we have to remove.
"I can say we're unlucky because it's the third goal in a row [against United] that is deflected. Is it unlucky? No because you have to force the luck."
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: "I am pleased with the performance and my only regret is that we didn't take the three points in the second half. We were a bit slow to start; Manchester United were sharp at the beginning. We were a bit stretched as well, width and length-wise. Second half we were more compact and we took over. We showed a great response and got a deserved point.
"We were a bit too timid, too conservative in our possession, and a bit too far from each other as well. In the second half we were more compact and on the counter attack we were quicker. We won more duels as well and we had enough chances to win the game in the end."
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