Nicolas Pepe, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw stood out as Arsenal and Manchester United played out a goalless draw at the Emirates on Saturday.
Arsenal were the better of the two sides in the early exchanges but never really tested David de Gea. Manchester United invariably grew into the game and saw Fred being denied by a superb fingertip save by Bernd Leno. The Gunners once again raised their levels post the interval, though.
Willian saw a decent opening falling his way while Nicolas Pepe narrowly missed the target. But, it was Manchester United again who came the closest to breaking the deadlock, with Edinson Cavani missing a couple of great openings. The game eventually petered out into a 0-0 draw, a result that does not help any side. The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over both sets of players.
Arsenal
Bernd Leno: 7/10
Made as many saves as David de Gea on the opposite end. The stop to deny Fred was absolutely stunning and did well to close down Marcus Rashford when the English international received the ball in point-blank range. Top class.
Hector Bellerin: 5/10
Disappointing from Bellerin, who was lacking on both ends of the pitch. The Spaniard hardly made an impact going forward while struggling against Anthony Martial and Luke Shaw. Needs to do so much more.
Rob Holding: 7/10
No player has made more clearances (10) in a single Premier League game for Arsenal this season than Rob Holding.
He's made more clearances (76) and won more aerial duels (43) than any other Arsenal player this campaign. ? pic.twitter.com/gkeAbZReDU
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 30, 2021
Another outing in which Holding’s star continued to rise. The Englishman made a staggering 10 clearances while being imperious in the air. Quite a commanding display from a player who just keeps on growing in stature.
David Luiz: 7/10
A solid display by Luiz, who organised the backline smartly for the most part but was guilty of one or two moments of lapses in concentration. Won each of his aerial duels and made as many as 4 clearances while being quite tidy in possession. Good effort.
Cedric Soares: 6/10
With Kieran Tierney still not fit enough to start, Cedric was deployed as a left-back again. This time, though, the former Southampton defender was quite underwhelming on both ends of the pitch. Not as adventurous as he was earlier this week, Cedric lost possession an astonishing 17 times while having some nervy moments off the ball against Rashford. Tierney cannot return sooner.
Thomas Partey: 6/10
The Arsenal midfield left quite a bit to be desired against Manchester United, and Partey was sub-par as well. Unlike Granit Xhaka, Partey was quite sloppy on the ball, losing possession 14 times. Has to do better.
Granit Xhaka: 6/10
After some impressive moments against Southampton, Xhaka inexplicably went into a shell this time around versus Manchester United. Completed 97 percent of his passes but hardly any of them were progressive enough.
Nicolas Pepe: 8/10
The clear standout for Arsenal, Pepe continued from where he had left off against Southampton. The Ivorian carried a great deal of threat and came within whiskers of scoring a fine curler. Pressed high up the pitch, which meant Manchester United struggled to unshackle themselves.
Nicolas Pépé vs. Manchester United:
◉ Most fouls won (4)
◉ =Most shots (4)
◉ Most chances created (3)Arsenal's main attacking threat. pic.twitter.com/YfwKXgDIse
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 30, 2021
Emile Smith Rowe: 7/10
Not quite at his creative best, Smith Rowe was missing the presence of his partner-in-crime Bukayo Saka. Nevertheless, he never stopped trying and delivered a couple of key passes as well. Denied by a big stop by David de Gea.
Gabriel Martinelli: 7/10
With Saka injured, Martinelli got a chance to impress and he did just that. Carried the greatest threat in the first half for Arsenal and even intervened with a fine header back in the Arsenal box. Replaced at half-time after sustaining a minor injury.
Alexandre Lacazette: 6/10
With Manchester United defending diligently, for the most part, Lacazette hardly got many chances to find the back of the net. Was quite unfortunate to smash the crossbar with a dangerous free-kick, though.
SUBSTITUTES
Willian: 5/10
On for the injured Martinelli, Willian had a fine opening coming his way, but a tame effort helped Aaron Wan-Bissaka recover. Barely did anything of note thereafter.
Martin Odegaard: N/A
Sent on in place of Smith Rowe for his Arsenal debut, Odegaard did not have enough time to make an impact.
Eddie Nketiah: N/A
A late introduction, Nketiah was barely on the pitch before full-time.
Manchester United
David de Gea: 6/10
Hardly troubled despite some of Arsenal’s dominant phases of play. Two of his three saves were regulation stops, but the one to deny Smith Rowe was impressive.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka: 8/10
Aaron Wan-Bissaka made more recoveries (10), made more tackles (4) and made more clearances (4) than any other Man Utd player against Arsenal.
A solid defensive effort. pic.twitter.com/r9OxBGoVbt
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 30, 2021
Manchester United’s full-backs were their standout performers against Arsenal. Wan-Bissaka, unlike Luke Shaw, made a larger impact off the ball, though, with some critical interventions – 4 clearances, 4 tackles, 3 interceptions, 6 duels won. However, he was also relentless in the final third late on, setting up a brilliant chance for Edinson Cavani.
Victor Lindelof: 6/10
Back in the starting lineup in place of Axel Tuanzebe, Lindelof was largely solid in his performance, making a couple of clearances and tackles. Extremely accurate with the ball at his feet, he misplaced just 7 passes but needed to be more progressive with them.
Harry Maguire: 6/10
A solid effort by Maguire, who put his body on the line at times and won as many as 7 duels. The Manchester United captain even made a couple of big blocks. Passes were not as progressive as they should have been.
Luke Shaw: 8/10
One of the two standout performers for Manchester United, Shaw once again impressed on the left flank. The English international did lose possession an alarming 20 times but also created numerous chances for those in front of him. Cannot do much more.
Luke Shaw is averaging 2.0 key passes p90 in the Premier League this season, his best ever tally in league competition.
A threat from set-pieces and in open play. ? pic.twitter.com/hwCqx5ZDk1
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) January 30, 2021
Scott McTominay: 6/10
During his time on the pitch, McTominay did not put much of a foot wrong, winning 2 of the 3 duels he contested while misplacing just 3 passes. Solskjaer will hope he is not out for a long time.
Fred: 7/10
Saw a lot of the ball as Manchester United looked to carefully build their plays. However, Fred made a number of errors when on the ball, losing possession 13 times. Very little to fault on the defensive front, though.
Marcus Rashford: 4/10
Deployed on the right flank this time around, which was an incorrect decision by Solskjaer. Having said that, Rashford looked intent on making things happen. However, his end product once again left a lot to be desired. Lost possession a staggering 18 times as well and needs to do better.
Bruno Fernandes: 5/10
Yet another game wherein Bruno Fernandes was well off his best. While he was not wasteful with the ball this time around, he did not quite have the inventiveness to make the difference and did not even aim a shot on target. Will be desperate to rediscover his best touch.
Paul Pogba: 6/10
Another big game, another occasion when Pogba was deployed on the left flank. Pogba, though, returned to his usual midfield slot later on in the first half and pulled the strings better. The game-changing moment never came, though.
Edinson Cavani: 5/10
An evening to forget for Cavani. Reinstated in the starting lineup, the veteran striker needed to be more clinical but squandered a couple of brilliant openings. Has to do better.
SUBSTITUTES
Anthony Martial: 6/10
On for the injured McTominay, Martial was more purposeful in his display and even played a couple of key passes. However, he could not make a difference in the final third.
Mason Greenwood: N/A
A late introduction, Greenwood did not have enough time to make an impact.
