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Manchester United fell further behind in the Premier League title race following their 0-0 draw with Arsenal.
Both sides had some key players out through injury and the lack of quality in front of goal was evident.
Arsenal was without captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang along with Bukayo Saka and Kieran Tierney.
United’s Scott McTominay left on 37 minutes with a stomach issue.
Both sides did have their chances but couldn’t produce that moment of magic in the final third.
Game Story
United looked the livelier side in the first half of this one and could have gone in front if not for some smart goalkeeping by Bernd Leno.
The German denied Fred’s curling strike following a corner while Rashford failed to get a shot away near the end of the first-half after some nice build-up play.
In the second half, the Gunners seemed to finally come to life.
Alexandre Lacazette’s free-kick in the 65th minute struck the bar.
A minute later David de Gea was alert as Smith-Rowe latched on well to a knockdown and fired a powerful effort at goal that the Spaniard did well to parry past the post.
In the end, it was an evenly played match and a draw was probably a fair result.
Man of the Match
It was difficult to pick one standout from this match but David Luiz had a very good match at the back for the Gunners.
Just over two months after his frightening skull fracture in that head collision with Raul Jimenez the Brazilian’s head was crystal clear tonight.
He made smart blocks, was positionally sound, and cut out several dangerous United chances.
The Struggle is real
Man United continues to struggle against their London rivals.
The Gunners haven’t lost to United now in six straight Premier League matches.
The Reds have failed to score in three straight league matches versus Arsenal.
That’s their longest scoreless drought against them since they went four matches without a goal between September 1981 and May 1983.
This is the first time these sides have played to a goalless draw in a Premier League encounter since 2014.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer remains winless in five league matches against Arsenal with now two draws and three defeats.
Speaking of struggles Bruno Fernandes has hit a rough patch for the first time in his Man United career.
The Portuguese talisman is without a goal or assist in his last five Premier League games.
Setting a new record
It’s not the result they wanted but the draw keeps United unbeaten on the road this season.
This is their 18th straight Premier League match without a loss away from home which sets a new club record.
Cleaning Up
United keeper David de Gea is showing he’s still worthy of being the Reds number one.
The Spaniard’s clean sheet tonight is his 150th for the club in all competitions.
Falling further behind
The draw combined with Manchester City’s win puts the Reds further back of the leaders in the title chase.
United are now three points behind the Sky Blues in the standings having played one more game.
The Gunners meanwhile move into eighth for the time being with 31 points.
Managers Words
Following the match United’s manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said they need to be more clinical in front of goal.
“We created enough chances to score, we’ll work on that and get them going again. We look at it as one step forward after Wednesday night,” says Solskjaer.
“I felt that we controlled the game, the free-kick that hits the bar can always go in, but they didn’t bother us too much. We were a little bit passive outside the box, they had a few too many shots, but David (de Gea) wouldn’t be bothered by too many of them.”
Next Up
United hopes to get back in the win column on Tuesday when they host Southampton.
The kickoff from Old Trafford goes at 8:15 pm. (JSL).
