United had a string of clear chances throughout the match, but the visitors couldn’t convert and grab the three points. Instead, the Red Devils dropped two and remained in second place with 41 points, three behind rival Manchester City — which has a game in hand — at the top.
And to make matters worse, City on Saturday was able to do what United couldn't on Wednesday — beat bottom side Sheffield United.
But United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wasn't focused just yet on the fight to win the league.
“We don’t think about the title race or the title now," he said. "We’re in January.”
Arsenal extended its unbeaten run to seven matches and remained ninth with 31 points.
“I thought it was a fair result,” Arsenal manager
Solskjaer made five changes after the Sheffield United defeat and his team had the bulk of chances in the first half, with Fred’s shot from the edge of the area drawing a fingertip save from Arsenal goalkeeper
When central midfielder Scott McTominay came off with stomach cramps in the first half, the United manager made a positive substitution, bringing on forward
“I felt we had the upper hand,” Solskjaer said. “And we wanted to get on the ball more.”
There was one big positive for the United manager as his team set a club record 18 away games unbeaten in the top tier.
“It’s like an NBA season — travelling on the road again," he said.
Midfielder
The visitors had other chances, but poor finishing and good defending by Arsenal stymied United, including a vital clearance by
Arsenal also had chances, with
Willian came on for Martinelli at the start of the second half, and had a clear chance to score in the 49th when a cross from Hector Bellerin found him at the far post. But he hesitated before shooting and Aaron Wan-Bissaka was able to block his shot. Moments later, Willian cut the ball back for
Lacazette hit the crossbar in the 65th from a free kick after the forward was brought down just outside the area by United captain
Arsenal was missing three key players, including captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who is dealing with family issues, winger Bukayo Saka (sore hip) and left back
Aubameyang has reportedly been given time off to help care for his mother, who is ill, and it's unclear when he will be available for selection again.
Arteta said Aubameyang is now in quarantine, but he declined to give further details, including when asked if Arsenal's captain had travelled abroad. The manager said the club was working with the
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