Not the most entralling encounter between these two rivals. Both teams needed a win, Arsenal having lost their previous two games while Manchester United needed to keep the pressure on their City rivals who had won earlier in the day. It was United who started the game better controlling the pace and flow without creating too many clear cut chances. Rio Ferdinand was out due to a back strain and with Vidic still out with a knee injury, Ferguson went with Smalling and Jones at the back. Unfortunately for Jones, he suffered an ankle injury early into the game and was replaced by Rafael. Antonio Valencia was the stand out player in the first half and got a deserved goal two minutes into first half injury time. Giggs overlapped Nani and hit a beautiful cross into the Arsenal box which was headed past Szczesny by the Columbian.

In the second half Arsenal began to get on the ball more and create chances. Their first chance came very early in the second half when Smalling slipped on the surface while turning back on his goal. Rosicky pounced and ran in on goal and while some will say he should have taken a shot on goal, he hit a short pass across to Van Persie. The premier league's top scorer took a touch but from ten yards he blasted the ball horribly wide. Next it was Ramsey's who created a great chance. He beat two United players while making his way into the penalty box but he blasted his shot just over the bar. Now with the crowd right behind Arsenal, the team grew in confidence. It was now Uniteds turn to retreat and Arsenal pushed looking for the equaliser. Rosicky had another chance blocked while Oxlade-Chamberlain shot a foot wide of the United goal. The leveler finally came when an attack by the visitors was quickly countered by the home team. A challenge from Koscielny deep in his own half was passed forward and Oxlade-Chamberlain knocked a through-ball to Van Persie who amended his earlier miss by hitting the ball across Lindegaard to draw the teams level. After probably being Arsenal's best player, Wenger substituted Oxlade-Chamberlain and brought on Arshavin. This was to be a mistake on the manager's part.

The lack of defensive skills on Arshavin's part were shown up in the 81st minute. Valencia broke down the wing and headed towards the Arsenal goal. Arshavin didnt do much in the way of challenging Valencia and after the United man played a one-two with sub Park Ji-Sung who then passed to Welbeck who dutifully made the score 2-1 to the red devils. The visitors held on for the final few minutes to gain a valuable three points while Arsenal fell to their third defeat in a row which will heap more pressure on Arsene Wenger

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