TheCable

Arsenal fought back to earn a 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford to maintain their grip on third place in the Barclays Premier League.

The two teams had already secured a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League prior to kick-off but were battling it out for third to avoid having to go through qualifying to make the group stages of the competition.

A point against the Red Devils puts the Gunners in the driving seat to claim third.

Ander Herrera volleyed home from an Ashley Young cross in the 30th minute to give United a deserved lead.

Victor Valdes came off the bench for his United debut after David De Gea was forced off after 73 minutes with a hip problem.

Arsenal came on strong in the closing 15 minutes and got their reward when Theo Walcott’s deflected shot off the boots of Tyler Blackett beat Valdes to bring the scores level.

United play Hull next weekend while Arsenal still have Sunderland and West Brom to play.

Manchester City kept on course for second spot with a 4-2 win at Swansea.

Yaya Toure scored twice as he went past 50 goals in the Premier League and James Milner was also on target before Wilfried Bony, on as a late substitute, scored against the club he left in January.

Defeat meant Swansea’s faint hope of Europa League qualification are definitely over as they will finish eighth on the log.

But the hosts gave City a huge scare after going 2-0 behind inside 36 minutes, levelling through Gylfi Sigurdsson and Bafetimbi Gomis, before the Citizens had Joe Hart to thank for some outstanding saves.