3 Reasons why Arsenal lost to Manchester United | FA Cup 2018-19
An insipid Arsenal side found themselves on the wrong end of a 3-1 score-line as Manchester United progressed to the fifth Round of the FA Cup.
Arsenal started off the blocks quicker of the two and dominated the early exchanges. However, the Gunners failed to create anything substantial and were given a wake-up call in the 31st minute when Alexis Sanchez rounded Petr Cech to score into an unguarded net.
Yet, instead of rising from their slumber, the home side plunged deeper into their sleep as Jesse Lingard doubled the Red Devils’ lead within a matter of minutes.
Though Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang handed the Gunners a lifeline before the break, Arsenal failed to capitalise on the head of steam they generated towards the end of the first period.
The away side looked a constant threat on the counter in the second half and killed the game off in the 82nd minute through their substitute, Anthony Martial.
The win at the Emirates made it eight wins out of eight for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer while the Gunners continued their patchy form with another low after the high of last weekend.
Here is a look at the factors that contributed to Arsenal losing out to Manchester United:
Also see : Copa America Schedule, Copa America Standings
#3 Manchester United’s clinical edge in front of goal
Manchester United arrived at the Emirates full of confidence having won their previous seven games across all competitions. And on Friday evening, they added another feather to their cap with a victory away to Arsenal.
For a majority of the game, the Red Devils were pinned back in their own half and enjoyed only 37 percent of the possession. Yet, when the big moments arrived, the visitors grabbed them with both hands and eventually made the difference.
Just after the half-hour mark, Sanchez was slipped through adroitly by Romelu Lukaku. The Chilean coolly dribbled past Cech before finishing from an acute angle. A couple of minutes later, Lingard produced an equally composed finish as he expertly passed the ball into the bottom corner.
Throughout the game, United only had four shots on goal and made the net bulge on three occasions. Thus, highlighting the difference between Arsenal and the away side’s endeavours on the night.
The Red Devils have enjoyed a new lease of life under Solskjaer and finally look equipped to deliver on the vast potential in their squad.
And if they keep finishing off chances like today, one wouldn’t bet against them going all the way in the FA Cup.