Late Welbeck goal sees Arsenal suffer defeat to United

Danny Welbeck scored a late goal to seal a win for Manchester United as Arsenal lost for the third Premier League game in a row at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon. In a game that was much more even than the 8-2 win for United in the last game in which the two sides met earlier in the season. It was a game that was a must win for both sides. With Chelsea, Newcastle and Liverpool all dropping points it was Arsenal's chance to catch up with the top four. For Manchester United it was a chance to keep up the pace with league leaders Man City who had beaten Tottenham in the day's early kick off.

Louis Valencia's first half goal was cancelled out by Van Persie who grabbed his 23rd goal of the season. However it wasn't enough as Welbeck scored with nine minutes left to give United all three points. For the match Oxlade-Chamberlain who was prefered to Arshavin made his first Premiership start whilst Vermaelen returned from injury and Rosicky came in for Benayoun. Nico Yennaris and Ju Young Park both came on for their first taste of Premiership action.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was Arsenal's stand out performer in the defeat to United

Despite both teams getting at each other in the opening quarter of an hour, it was Arsenal who had the first shot on goal. Oxlade-Chamberlain picked the ball up and then beat Evra, Chamberlain then found Walcott who hit a shot high and wide of the goal.

United's first attempt on goal came from Nani. Evra managed to get past Song before laying the ball back to Nani who almost found the near post of the goal but for Szczesny who stopped the shot.

Nani then managed to work another chance for the visitors as he beat Djourou to the ball before getting into the box and then firing his shot across the box and out for a goalkick.

Just before the break, Manchester United took the lead. Giggs got forward and then provided a cross for Valencia who was waiting at the back post to head United into the lead.

The score at half time was 1-0 to Man United.

With the first real chance of the second half, Arsenal should have equalised. Smalling lost his footing which allowed Rosicky to pounce onto the ball. He then drove forward and found Van Persie, but with the goal gaping, the Arsenal skipper put the ball wide.

Aaron Ramsey then had a great opportunity to put Arsenal back into the game. Oxlade-Chamberlain got down the left before finding Ramsey who then worked his way into a shooting opportunity, only for the ball to go over the cross bar.

Arsenal were looking the more livelier team since the break and Rosicky then saw his shot, which was on target, blocked by Evra after Van Persie had cut the ball back to the Czech international.

Oxlade-Chamberlain who was massively impressing on his league debut then came within inches of equalising for the Gunners. Koscielny drove forward from defence before finding Chamberlain whose shot from outside the box went just past the post.

Despite Arsenal having the majority of the chances in the second half it was United who came closest as they looked to extend their lead. A ball was played over the top and into Welbeck who chipped the goalkeeper but Mertesacker raced back and managed to clear the ball off the line.

Arsenal then finally managed to get an equaliser, and it was deserved. Rosicky found Oxlade-Chamberlain on the break who cut inside and found Van Persie who fired past Lindegaard for 1-1.

The game changing moment was then to happen as to much displeasure from the Arsenal fans, Andrey Arshavin came on for Oxlade-Chamberlain.

With nine minutes left, United were back in front. Valencia was allowed to go past Arshavin as though he wasn't even there, he then got into the penalty area before finding Welbeck who put the ball into the back of the net.

The final score ended Arsenal 1-2 Manchester United.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Djourou(45), Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Ramsey(84), Song, Rosicky, Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain(73), Van Persie.
Subs: Almunia, Squillaci, Miquel, Yennaris(45), Benayoun, Arshavin(73), Park(84).

Manchester United: Lindegaard, Smalling, Evans, Jones(17), Evra, Giggs, Carrick, Valencia, Nani(75), Rooney, Welbeck.
Subs: De Gea, Fabio, Rafael(17)(76), Park(76), Scholes(75), Berbatov, Hernandez.

My man of the match: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Referee: Mike Dean
Attendance: 60,093