Man Utd 3-2 Arsenal
The Gunners lost 3-2 to Man Utd in what was an enthralling encounter at Old Trafford.
Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was disappointed with how the Gunners fell to a 3-2 loss to Manchester United on Thursday night. The Red Devils started the game slowly as the north London club got three corners inside the opening 90 seconds and they continued mounting pressure and eventually got their reward through Emile Smith Rowe, who fired the ball with his left foot into the net as keeper David de Gea laid down injured. Following three minute plus VAR review, the replayed clip showed midfielder Fred stood on the De Gea’s feet but the goal had to be given because referee Martin Atkinson did not blow the whistle until the ball went into the net. However, the situation woke the Reds from their slumber as they turned up the heat and started playing, creating chances and mounting pressure. Then, Bruno Fernandes cancelled out the opener as he found the net just before half-time after a well-worked build-up. Early in the second United Arsenal found themselves trailing as Cristiano Ronaldo scored his fifth league of the campaign to make it 2-1. Mikel Arteta’s boys replied quickly through Martin Odegaard, who equalised just two and a half minutes later. But the Norway international quickly turned from hero to villain when he tackled Fred in the 18-yard box.
Referee Mark Atkinson didn’t think it was a penalty as the game continued, however, moments later the Ref was told by VAR that it was a penalty, which Ronaldo stepped up to take as he wrapped up the win with his 801 career goal. Following the clash Aubameyang spoke about how they weren’t “clinical defensively and offensively”. He told BBC BBC Sport: "We are a bit disappointed tonight because the team played very well. We could have got a better result. In this type of game you need to be clinical defensively and offensively and you have to do the perfect game because of the quality of Manchester United. "At the end of the first half we started to drop for too long and we conceded. In the second half we had the character to come back but in this type of game I have to stand up and score that opportunity and maybe get a point for us. "I should definitely score that type of goal but I will not give up and I will keep trying to score goals. "Compared to the game against Liverpool at Anfield we did better today. We did something very clear and we tried our best. It was very unlucky because I think the team deserved better today."
'We have to do things better'
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta expressed his disappointment while speaking to BBC Sport: "I'm disappointed we didn't get something out of the game. When you concede three at Old Trafford it's unlikely you'll get something out of the game. "I saw a lot of positives. It wasn't enough to get something out of the game." On Arsenal’s opening goal, the Gabonese said: "We didn't know what to expect but the referee and VR checked and it's a goal. "We started the game really good but then we gave them some momentum. We lost very simple balls. We couldn't get out of the press because we were defending deeper. "In the second half we had total control and dominance but we made an error which cost us the game. "We are here to win football matches. That's a lesson that doing that [playing like tonight] is not enough. We have to do things better."
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