Matches can be won and lost on such narrow margins. In Dortmund last week we so easily could have gone behind as Szszesny helplessly watched two first half efforts drift narrowly wide of his post and we went on to win the game. Yesterday van Persie's header could so easily have not bounced off his shoulder and looped over Kieran Gibbs and under the crossbar but unfortunately it did and it proved decisive.
The defensive performance against Dortmund was widely praised, and rightfully so, and at the heart of that was the immense Per Mertesacker. Unfortunately he had to sit out the game at Old Trafford with a bug alongside another outstanding mid-week performer, Tomas Rosicky. Rosicky may have dropped to the bench anyway to accommodate Mathieu Flamini but Mertesacker's absence was a worry. Thomas Vermaelen's performance on a ground where he dropped a clanger last year was encouraging and there is no doubting his attitude and commitment.
Question marks were raised over whether we would have defended the corner better with Per but Giroud had been nodding plenty of those away lately. I don't want to focus too much on debating the strengths and weaknesses of zonal marking because frankly it bores me but I haven't seen enough evidence to worry that we are particularly vulnerable from set pieces this season.
Our midfield performance in the first half was disappointing; we were sloppy in possession and failed to find any rhythm or fluency which Arsène worryingly blamed on nerves. We dominated possession after the break but struggled to create any clear-cut chances. Cazorla, Özil and Ramsey were all unable to find anything good enough to break United's resolute defence and Bacary Sagna's excellent crosses looked our most likely avenue but first Giroud and later Bendtner didn't do enough to get on the end of them.
It was a bad day at the office for Olivier Giroud who completed just 25 of 41 passes. With our current injury troubles, Wenger's attacking options from the bench were limited; he brought on Wilshere, who looked good, Gnabry, who was bright and Bendtner, who unsurprisingly didn't turn the game on its head. Hopefully after the international break we can get some key attacking players back to fitness and if we find ourselves in a similar position, Arsène will have some better options at his disposal.
van Persie's celebration made difficult and infuriating viewing but at least now he has dropped the ridiculous pretence that he holds any respect or gratitude for the club where he made his name. We can only hope that come the end of the season we are the ones celebrating like lunatics while he looks on, filled with regret and bitterness.
The result brings United some hope that they can challenge for the title; had they lost I think they would have been, rightly or wrongly, ruled out of the race. We missed an opportunity to really kick them while they were down and keep a nice big, juicy 5 point lead at the top if the table with our first win at Old Trafford in five years. It was of course bitterly disappointing but fortunately Spurs, City and Chelsea all slipped up and we go into the international break two points clear.
I didn't see anything to change my opinion that Arsenal are strong enough to win the league and I am confident we will put this result behind us with three wins in our next three league games against Southampton, Cardiff and Hull. Then let's make damn sure get some sweet revenge in the return game in February.
Man of the Match: Bacary Sagna
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