Trusting Method in the Midst of Madness: A Manchester United vs Arsenal Review

Going into their game on Sunday, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Mikel Arteta found themselves in tough positions. Both managers had raised eyebrows with some worrying performances and languished in the bottom half of the table. Questions were being asked about the impact these managers had in their respective tenures.

Traditionally, when clubs like Manchester United and Arsenal get off to shaky starts, the inevitable comparisons with previous managers appear seemingly from nowhere and without much in the way of context. But the fact remains that Arsenal have struggled to create chances and United have… well… simply struggled at times.

So, a game involving two teams who like to play in transition but can also be very organised when sat back had all the makings for two wildly differing outcomes. Either the game was to peter out into a stalemate or grow into a counter attacking slobber knocker where both sides exchanged shattering blows like heavyweight boxers in the final round. Either both teams would fail to really come out of their shells in fear of being caught on the break or the pressure would have risen to such a level that pipes would have had no choice but to burst.

Yet, in keeping with this season’s theme of unpredictability, neither outcome transpired. An opportunity for both managers to make a statement to their critics ended up being another dually cautious affair but one which elevated the reputation of the winner and stagnated the rising stock of the loser.