Date: 23rd January 2012 at 2:00am
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Yet another man of the match performance from Tony V

Yet another man of the match performance from Tony V

Manchester United had to dig deep to regain a lead against Arsenal as they managed to keep the pressure on top of the table Manchester City with a 2-1 win.

A quiet first half between United and Arsenal ended with a late opener from Valencia in injury time. Giggs was able to get a cross in which was met with strength from Valencia to head past Szczesny.

Arsenal pulled level in the 71st minute when the lively Oxlade-Chamberlain delivered a cross for Van-Persie to grab himself a goal and Arsenal an equaliser.

United took the lead again and for the final time in the game as the in-form Valencia made a dangerous run forward helping the ball onto the hardworking Welbeck who found the Arsenal net.

Patrice Evra had a good game as he kept solid against the pressing Oxlade-Chamberlain. Arsenal’s flair throughout came from the young winger yet Evra did not let him beat him often with the fullback even flying up his own flank at times to cause problems for Arsenal.

Due to an excellent attacking display with influential parts in both goals our Man of the Match is yet again Antonio Valencia. The winger’s form recently has been magnificent as he has firmly been the driving force behind the United attack.

Throughout Valencia was biting at Arsenal’s defence with tricky weaving runs down the wing and into the box as he looked to pick others out or win a corner when he could not manage to find a team mate.

Valencia did well to get United ahead, charging into the Arsenal area to meet Giggs’ curved cross, leaping ahead of Vermaelen to power his header into the back of the net. Valencia continued pressing Arsenal when the second half got underway proving a problem for their defenders throughout.

When Park came on for United in the 76th minute Valencia was moved into his newly adopted position at right back where he continued to prove a threat to Arsenal. It was from this position that Valencia played his role in United’s winner. After collecting the ball Valencia glided past Arshavin with ease before dancing his way into the Arsenal box to help the ball on to Welbeck who finished for United’s winner.

Valencia’s fantastic form continued against Arsenal as he did to them what he has done to many other teams this season, teasing their defenders and proving a constant threat throughout. With Nani picking up an injury against Arsenal Valencia may prove to be an important part of United’s upcoming fixtures.

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3 responses to “Man Of The Match: Arsenal vs Manchester United”

  1. seda says:

    4along tyme since drop in form Arshavin as posible 2prove arsenal u either play me from the stat or 4get my services infact most players av that attitude in arsenal esp senior players they cannot just av the right mentality but show that if am not rgular starter y strugle 2help the team example ebue against kop, rosicky two unnecesary fouls against n’castle 4 -4,silvestre smiling afta gvng mess a delacious pass &arshvin statment am not interestd in arsenal not frm the bench

  2. richard says:

    That’s one way of looking at it. However I would have gone with the only thing close was the score line.