Follow Daily Mail Sport’s live blog for the latest score, team news and updates as Arsenal host Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium with Oliver Holt, Isaan Khan and Chris Wheeler reporting from the ground.
Roy Keane: Arsenal’s nerves will only get worse
Roy Keane fears that Arsenal fans will see more performances like this towards the end of the season unless they find more steel.
He told Sky Sports: ‘It was a nervous performance. Look at the first goal they gave away. As you get closer to the end of the season, that’ll get worse.
‘Don’t panic. Look at the table. When you’re at home, Manchester United are coming to town, deal with it.
‘The last bit [of the season] is always the hardest bit.’
Did Arsenal fans abandon their team?
Our Merseyside reporter Lewis Steele was surprised to see how many empty seats there were at the Emirates.
You certainly noticed gaps in the stands on the broadcast towards the end. Did some Gunners supporters leave too early? Did that impact things on the pitch?
Whether you were there or watching on TV, let us know your thoughts.
Mikel Arteta says his team were undone by two incredible goals.
He acknowledged that their standards dropped, but is not worried longer-term about that and did not feel they shied away from the occasion.
He told Sky Sports: ‘I have to congratulate Man United. It happened in a strange way. We were very dominant in the first half four, then we gave them the goal. That shifted the momentum and energy. After that we dropped the standard. They had two magic moments – credit to them.
‘We carried that nagetivity and lack of fluidity. We made changes, scored 2-2, and you could feel game on. One ball, one pass, and Cunha changes the momentum again. A really painful one but now is the time to be very close to the players who have given us so much joy and performances and support them.
‘With the ball, every time we regained it [we weren’t good enough].
‘They are dangerous and we knew that.
‘When we draw or we don’t win, that’s the moment we have to show unity and togetherness [as a fanbase].’
Did nerves play a factor? ‘I wouldn’t choose that word. We played at Stamford Bridge in the semi-final and were brilliant against Inter. Look at the goals. You have to give credit to the opponent.
Did Dorgu commit a handball before his goal? ‘I haven’t looked at it. It’s fine, it’s gone, nothing we can do about it.’
Carrick deflects praise
Michael Carrick was keen to hand any praise over to his players and staff when speaking to Premier League Productions.
‘I give a lot of credit to the staff and the players, in terms of what they have invested and the way they have bought into it,’ he said.
‘It is a really collective feeling and it great when it comes together and everyone is in it.’
How good was Maguire today?
Harry Maguire was a colossus today and was given the man of the match award.
There are many ways of analysing a defender’s performance, but I’ll just give you this stat.
Maguire made a whopping nine clearances – the closest player to get to that was Gabriel Magalhaes on the other team with five.
Wherever the danger was, Maguire was there snuffing it out.
‘The anxiety at the Emirates was overpowering’
The anxiety of the crowd at The Emirates today was overpowering. It felt like an echo of some of the angst of the past. If that anxiety grows, it will get harder and harder for Arsenal to keep their lead at the top.
Oliver Holt
Martin Odegaard: We weren’t ‘nervous’
Martin Odegaard rejected the idea that Arsenal’s team or the fans were ‘nervous’ during the defeat.
He told Sky Sports: ‘We should have done better but now is the time to stick together and bounce back.
‘The first half, we were the better team. We scored and had control of the game but we had a lot of giveaways which gave dangerous moments.
‘Second half, the momentum changed a bit. Overall, not good enough.
‘Now is the time to be together. It’s never going to be easy in this league.
‘I don’t think so [it didn’t feel nervous]. They have quality players. I don’t think that [nerves] was a factor. The performance should have been better from us.
‘We had a lot of giveaways which gave them dangerous counters. They won a lot of duels. We never managed to get into the rhythm of creating chances.
‘This is part of football. Now we have to work harder than ever. We’re still top of the league.’
Patrick Vieira questions Arsenal’s mentality
That’s it now. They’ve lost a big game. Arsenal have brought the mentality questions on themselves.
Let’s not get carried away. They’ve been brilliant all season, arguably the best team in Europe. If they don’t have a good mentality, who does?
Vieira is not convinced.
Roy Keane: I wouldn’t give Carrick the job even if United finish fourth!
Roy Keane is not getting carried away with Michael Carrick just yet. No surprises there.
‘Two games, anyone can win two games. Even if they get fourth I wouldn’t be convinced he’s the man for the job. They need a bigger and better manager. But credit to him, ‘ Keane told Sky Sports.
Let’s hear from Harry Maguire and Matheus Cunha
An extremely happy Harry Maguire and Matheus Cunha have been speaking to Sky Sports:
Man of the match Maguire said: ‘It was absolutely massive. The derby at Old Trafford, you get up for them and one-off results can happen.
‘We came to the league leaders, to come here and have a setback late on and go and get the win, a magnificent performance.
‘Michael has brought fresh energy in the group. A much bigger squad coming back from AFCON. Matheus has come on and changed the game against City and again today.’
Cunha added: ‘These kind of games, we dream of playing them. The games you watch on television and want to be part of.
‘It means everything. To be part of the teammates, leaders like Harry, they teach me how to be on the pitch.
‘I know the quality of the group, everyone has a part to play, give everything every minute you have.’
Cunha brilliance wins it for United
Take a bow, Mbeumo, Dorgu, and Cunha. They’re the scorers today. The latter two scored sensational goals.
Source: Daily Mail
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