Why Man Utd did not deserve to beat Arsenal despite critics' claims with three key facts

Since when did accepting defeat become so difficult? In all my years watching football, I am struggling to remember a time when a fan base fought so vehemently to argue that they were more deserving of victory than another of a defeat, as Manchester United have since Arsenal’s clinically executed win at Old Trafford.

Thanks to a goal from Riccardo Calafiori, the Gunners secured the win and took all three points back to north London. Both sides were confident before the match, with it being a new season and both having new signings on show, but the game was very open, and in essence, either side could have won.

But there are clear reasons why Arsenal both won the match and deserved their victory too. football.london breaks down exactly why it was a worthy win for Mikel Arteta’s side, who rightly celebrated their triumph with their supporters at full-time.

Arsenal scored, United didn't

Now, I do not wish to come across too 'Michael Owen' and state the obvious with such simplicity, but Arsenal succeeded in scoring, and Manchester United didn't. Furthermore, beyond the two saves David Raya made, one from Matheus Cunha, which didn't look on target, and Bryan Mbeumo, a comfortable header to stop, the home side didn't create much in the way of big chances.

This argument that because they had more of the ball and got into more dangerous positions is quite hollow. You could make the argument that the 12 breakaways that Arsenal had in the game, which also sadly led to very little, provided just as much opportunity for the away side to score, but when their chance did come, they took it.

There is even an argument that Arsenal created the better chances in the game beyond just their goal. Martin Odegaard, who was given space to shoot from outside the box at Altay Bayindir in the first half, produced a great pass into the box for Bukayo Saka whose shot was just blocked from being smashed in and the winger himself produced a cross at the end for Noni Madueke which also could, maybe should, have been dealt with better.

The game plan

When did football matches get decided on vibes? Just because United had more possession than Arsenal and more attacking territory throughout the game, it means very little when so much of what was done with the ball was redundant.

Arsenal's game plan was clearly to hit on the break, and while United have adopted similar plans at the Emirates Stadium, they have not been successful of late. Erik ten Hag tried and failed several times to adopt this approach, but Arsenal had the ability to overcome them and won both home matches when the Dutchman came to north London - if Arsenal successfully executed their plan and won, clearly it was a deserved victory.

Winning ugly

Of the two sides, Arsenal showed their title ambitions with a victory won in a difficult context. The Gunners have been given by far the toughest start to the Premier League campaign of any of the title challengers, and to kick it off by going to Old Trafford and winning in any context shows mettle.

United, on the other hand, with the home advantage, never made it tell. As a result, they lost the match to a side superior in their defensive ability, chance conversion and goalkeeper proficiency.

United deserved to win? Please.

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