Players prove grit but Wenger outclassed again

Our visits to Old Trafford are usually memorable but rarely classics, unfortunately we were not even given any memories in last night’s jostle.

Wenger did not take long to blame the pitch for the poor entertainment on offer but the reality is that Alex Ferguson knows how to contain Wenger’s Arsenal and it is a fact that our manager refuses to acknowledge. Man Utd flood the midfield, pressurise our defenders and take advantage of our embarrassing naivety by exposing us on the counter attack. Wenger’s tactical input appears to amount to encouraging his players to relax and enjoy their football. A philosophy cannot replace a game plan.

Nani has been Man Utd’s most prolific player this season, cutting in from the right and delivering quality to his teammates. Wenger’s response was to play Arshavin, the most workshy of our midfielders, in front of Clichy. This led to our increasingly maligned full back delivering another poor display as he became isolated and pressurised by a cleverly deployed Man Utd team.

Despite their apparent lack of direction from the manager the majority of our players did get stuck in and refused to be outmuscled by powerful opposition. It was not a game worthy of a top of the table clash, more a mid table fracas but this Arsenal team definitely has desire, just a lack of tactical nous in the top games. Arsene has until the 27th to remedy his apparent disregard for planning to face top-class opposition.

Photo: Action Images

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