Tactical Analysis | How a defensive Arsenal managed to draw against Manchester United

Jose Mourinho must be seething with rage as he went down the tunnel at Old Trafford. Reason--Arsenal managed to get away with a point by employing Mourinho's old tactics. The visitors were unusually quiet for most part of the match, but scored the leveller with a single shot on the goal through Olivier Giroud’s header. United were far more clinical in creating chances but a moment of magic from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain ended the game in a 1-1 draw after what looked like a certain victory for the hosts.

Injuries to five of his core players forced Jose Mourinho with his reserve defence fielding Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones in the central defence while pulling out a surprise by dropping Daley Blind for Matteo Darmian. But the return of Michael Carrick to the starting XI allowed United to play Paul Pogba in his favoured position on the left side of the attack. United’s depth in attack came to their rescue as injury scare to Wayne Rooney and suspension of Zlatan Ibrahimovic presented Marcus Rashford with a chance to lead the line.

Arsenal, on the other hand, were also left without Hector Bellerin forcing Arsene Wenger to field Carl Jenkinson in the starting XI for a league match after almost two and a half years. While there were doubts over Alexis Sanchez’s participation due to a thigh issue, the Chilean shook off the problem to start in the striker’s position,  where he has flourished for the Gunner this season.

Pogba rises to the big occasion in his preferred position

Paul Pogba’s continuous insistence to play him on the left side of the pitch for United finally came to fruition, and Mourinho’s decision to move him into his favoured position paid dividends in the attack. The Frenchman’s movement in and out of the flanks and central areas drastically improved the wing play with Martial and Mata constantly running behind the Arsenal defence.

He held back the ball for Herrera to make the run towards the byline who cut it back brilliantly for Juan Mata to bury it into the far corner.  Though United were unable to totally carve open Arsenal’s backline, Pogba’s movement clearly underlined why Mourinho should play his prized possession in a more free role down the left.

Wenger’s sudden pragmatism does not work all that well

It was surprising to see Arsenal, who usually take the initiative to attack, sit behind and soak up the pressure. Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey seemed to be restricted from showcasing their attacking prowess with the visitors defending with almost 6 at the back to overcrowd the box with Yellow shirts. Also, Iwobi’s workrate could have helped Arsenal a great deal as Aaron Ramsey’s passing was bad and his static movement allowed Antonio Valencia a lot of space to move forward.

Jose Mourinho made a sharp change to break this by bringing in Daley Blind, a good crosser of the ball, and moving Rashford back on to the wing by sending Wayne Rooney as the lone striker. Monreal and Mustafi were also left confused when Mata and Martial constantly changed positions upfront, and for all the workrate of Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal were still exposed at the back.

Zlatan’s exclusion is good for United

It is understandable that United were frustrated by Arsenal putting 11 men behind the ball but this set-up Mourinho used in the game proved how United can be smooth and slick going forward. While use of Ibrahimovic as the lone striker can offer United the precision inside the box, the way United created chances in front of the goal proved that they can do far well without the big Swede.

The constant exchange of positions between Mata and Pogba and  then Rashford and Mata often put Arsenal centre backs in a fix which the Gunners were able to cover up with additional numbers in the box. It is a 4-2-3-1 on the paper but United’s system was more of a 4-3-3 where either Pogba or Mata dropped deep to maintain the numbers in the midfield.