Arsenal vs Manchester United 1–2
January 23, 2012 by Chris Marker · Leave a Comment
Manchester United managed to edge out old foes Arsenal 2–1 at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday thanks to a goal each from Antonio Valencia and Danny Welbeck. Despite collecting a well deserved three points in the encounter with Arsene Wenger´s struggling side yesterday, Sir Alex Ferguson´s men are still stuck in second place.
The North Londoners, who came into this game on the back of two successive Premier League defeats against Fulham and Swansea City respectively, struggled for long periods against a very well organised Manchester United team on Sunday. Unfortunately for the visiting side, however, Phil Jones injured his ankle just sixteen minutes into the first period and the England international was substituted by fellow defender Rafael da Silva. The Reds nevertheless began to gain more possession of the ball as the game progressed and they were rewarded when the ever present Antonio Valencia headed home a brilliant cross ball from midfield orchestrator Ryan Giggs in first half stoppage time. In the 71st minute of the hard fought contest, prolific goal plunderer Robin van Persie eventually equalised for The Gunners with an astonishing shot through the legs of Northern Ireland international defender Jonny Evans and behind a completely helpless Anders Lindegaard in the Manchester United goal. Then with a mere nine minutes remaining of the thrilling encounter, rocket heeled flankman Antonio Valencia managed to find the ever dangerous Danny Welbeck who hammered home from some ten yards out to give Manchester United a narrow 2–1 triumph over their longtime adversaries. Manchester United Team: Anders Lindegaard, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans, Patrice Evra, Antonio Valencia, Michael Carrick, Ryan Giggs, Luis Nani, Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck.


