BY Jonathan Ledger
Manchester United inflicted a last-minute 2-1 defeat on Arsenal to send their retiring manager, Arsene Wenger, forth at the Theatre of Dreams.
On his last visit to Old Trafford before his impending retirement, Wenger was honoured by his rival club.
Former adversary and now-retired Sir Alex Ferguson was on hand to present United’s parting trophy gift to the French coach as Mourinho, who apologized during the week for his many unkind words towards Wenger, cheered on.
Perhaps, moved by the emotions on display, the match was played at a slow pace but former Arsenal jewel, Alexis Sanchez assisted the opening goal on 15 minutes. The Chilean’s header at the back post from Lukaku’s cross was deflected unto the bar by Bellerin, but Pogba was on hand to tap the rebound into an empty net.
Another former player, Henrikh Mkhtaryan, who was part of the Sanchez swap deal, was the playmaker in a reserve-looking Arsenal attack which had Aubameyang up top, assisted by Iwobi and youngsters Maitland-Niles and Reece Nelson, and the latter had the Gunners’ best chance of the half, heading wide when free from six yards out. Both teams had only a shot on target apiece in a quiet first half but United made theirs count and went into the break looking comfortable.
Until his substitution in the 76th minute, the second half was Mkhtaryan’s, and it was the former Borussia Dortmund attacker who would equalize early for Arsenal ten minutes after the break. The Armenian international finished low into the bottom corner beyond a stranded De Gea after a good penetrating run through the midfield from Granit Xhaka.
Perhaps angered by the ease with which Xhaka made the equalizer and how Arsenal was finding joy beyond it afterwards, Mourinho responded with a double change, Fellaini and Martial both on for Herrera and Lingard.
Manchester United controlled the game thereafter but were ponderous in attack, while Arsenal’s defence stood firm on the many occasions the Red Devils threatened, mostly from the wings.
Rashford scored from one of such wing crosses, bundling a rebound from two yards when Fellaini’s header hit the bar but the young English striker goal was correctly ruled offside. The Belgian bully would eventually win the match for United, scoring a looping header when picked out by a deep Ashley Young cross.
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