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Man Utd held by Arsenal, lose ground in title race

Published:Sunday | January 31, 2021 | 8:58 AM
AP Arsenal’s Alexandre Lacazette (left) battles for the ball with Manchester United’s Victor Lindelof, during the English Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates stadium in London, yesterday. The match ended 0-0.
AP Arsenal’s Alexandre Lacazette (left) battles for the ball with Manchester United’s Victor Lindelof, during the English Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates stadium in London, yesterday. The match ended 0-0.

LONDON (AP):

Manchester United lost vital ground in the title race after drawing 0-0 against Arsenal in the Premier League yesterday.

United had a string of clear chances throughout the match, but the visitors couldn’t convert and grab the three points. Instead, the Red Devils dropped two and remained in second place with 41 points, three behind rivals Manchester City at the top.

And to make matters worse, City were able to do what United couldn’t on Wednesday – beat bottom side Sheffield United.

However, United Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wasn’t focused just yet on the fight to win the league.

“We don’t think about the title race or the title now,” he said. “We’re in January.”

Arsenal extended their unbeaten run to seven matches and moved up to eighth with 31 points.

“I thought it was a fair result,” Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta said. “I think both managers think we should have won it.”

Solskjaer made five changes after the Sheffield United defeat and his team had the bulk of chances in the first half, with Fred’s shot from the edge of the area drawing a fingertip save from Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno in the 20th.

UPPER HAND

When central midfielder Scott McTominay came off with stomach cramps in the first half, the United manager made a positive substitution, bringing on forward Anthony Martial to try to bring the game to Arsenal.

“I felt we had the upper hand,” Solskjaer said. “And we wanted to get on the ball more.”

There was one big positive for the United manager as his team set a club record 18 away games unbeaten in the top tier.

Midfielder Bruno Fernandes came close a few times, including a free-kick just outside the area before halftime. The ball looked like it would narrowly clear the wall but Luiz headed the ball backwards and over the crossbar.

The visitors had other chances, but poor finishing and good defending by Arsenal stymied United, including a vital clearance by Gabriel Martinelli in the 29th to head the ball out before it reached Marcus Rashford in the area.

GOAL CHANCES

Arsenal also had chances, with Alexandre Lacazette unleashing a 25-yard swerving shot in the 17th, but it was right at goalkeeper David de Gea in the end.

Willian came on for Martinelli at the start of the second half and had a clear chance to score in the 49th when a cross from Hector Bellerin found him at the far post. But he hesitated before shooting and Aaron Wan-Bissaka was able to block his shot. Moments later, Willian cut the ball back for Nicolas Pepe, who looked certain to score. But Wan-Bissaka again made a crucial block.

Edinson Cavani had chances to produce a winner and nearly scored in the 59th, but Arsenal left back Cedric Soares did enough to divert the ball away for a corner.

Lacazette hit the crossbar in the 65th from a free-kick after the forward was brought down just outside the area by United captain Harry Maguire. A minute later, Emile Smith Rowe forced a low save from de Gea at the near post with a powerful shot.