Ten man Arsenal slip up again in defeat to United

Arsenal lost their second Premier League away game on the trot as the Gunners slid to a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United. It was a first return to the ground since the 8-2 thrashing last season. However the game was much closer this time, although United did dominate. The game was effectively crushed within the opening minutes as with his first touch against his old club, Robin Van Persie gave the hosts the lead. Patrice Evra then scored a rare goal to extend the Red Devils lead before Cazorla brought a goal back with the last kick of the game. Arsenal were lacking once more in attack, something which I've written continuously about over the season and will probably come to no surprise to you now. Meanwhile Andre Santos was once again poor at left back whilst Vermaelen who is probably having his worst season in English football gifted the ball to his former team mate for the goal. Arsenal had seen the opposition get a red card last week but this time it was their own turn as midway through the second half Jack Wilshere was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Robin Van Persie came back to haunt his former club on Saturday

Just 2 minutes into the game, Manchester United took the lead. Rafael managed to get down the right hand side before crossing the ball into the box. However a mistake from Vermaelen meant the ball fell to Robin Van Persie who fired home the opening goal of the game from just inside the penalty area.

Man United had instantly found their rhythm but Arsenal were struggling to find theirs as Van Persie then had another chance to score as Rooney slipped the ball into him but Mannone made the save.

A few minutes later Arsenal finally opened up their oppenents for the first time in the game as Ramsey got to the byline before putting in a cross which couldn't find Podolski but it did find De Gea who parmed the ball away.

United were dominating and Rooney had the next chance as he got the ball on his left foot before smashing the ball goalwards but Mannone made a strong save to keep it out.

Just before the break Arsenal gave away a penalty after Ashley Young's cross was blocked by the hands of Santi Cazorla. Wayne Rooney took the penalty but slammed his shot wide and into the advertising hoardings.

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

Right at the begining of the second half the Red Devils had a fantastic opportunity to extend their lead. Van Persie once again capitalised on a Vermaelen mistake as he then managed to pick out Valencia but he scuffed his shot wide from six yards out.

Just after the hour mark the hosts once again had a great chance to score. Young picked out Van Persie with a floating ball into the penalty area but the shot was tame but Mannone still did well to tip it wide.

From the resulting corner, Manchester United went 2-0 up. The ball was played short out to Rooney who delivered a curling ball onto the head of Evra and into the back of the net.

The Gunner's just couldn't get near United and they had another chance as Valencia pulled the ball back to Anderson but from the edge of the area he put the ball wide.

Arsenal's afternoon then went from bad to worse as Jack Wilshere was shown his second yellow card after catching Evra on the ankle.

In the very last minute of the game and with the last kick, Arsenal finally had something to cheer about. Arshavin headed the ball to Cazorla on the edge of the area whose first shot was blocked but then with the second effort curled home a brilliant goal.

The final score on a frustrating afternoon at Old Trafford was Manchester United 2-1 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Manchester United: De Gea, Rafael, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Valencia(81), Cleverley(61), Carrick, Young, Rooney, Van Persie.
Subs: Lindegaard, Wootton, Scholes, Anderson(61), Nani(81), Powell, Hernandez.

Arsenal: Mannone, Sagna, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Santos, Arteta, Wilshere, Cazorla, Ramsey(52), Podolski(81), Giroud:
Subs: Martinez, Koscielny, Jenkinson, Coquelin, Arshavin(81), Walcott(52), Chamakh.

My man of the match: Per Mertesacker

Referee: Mike Dean
Attendance: 75,492