The Arsenal Shoot Down Winning Record

Home Defeat
By Chris O'Brien
September 22 2006

Manchester United now sit second in the Premiership table, behind Harry Redknapp's Portsmouth, following Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Arsenal. Emmanuel Adebayor netted the only goal of the game just four minutes from time as the North Londoners celebrated their first league win of the season.

Manchester United's winning run to the new campaign came to an end at Old Trafford on Sunday, as Arsenal ended their poor start to the Premiership season with a 1-0 victory.

Arsene Wenger's side, struggling to adapt to life in their plush new Ashburton Grove home, arrived at the Theatre of Dreams with only two Premiership points from their opening three outings. United, boasting a superb twelve point record, were therefore in a confident mood, yet following our below-par efforts against Celtic, the Gooners took their opportunity and seized on United's complacency to take all three points.

United were forced to make changes from the side that beat the SPL Champions, with Tomasz Kuszczak making his club debut in the absence of an ill Edwin Van Der Sar. Meanwhile Michael Carrick, who received plenty of criticism for his lack of impact against the Bhoys, was dropped to the bench and replaced by giant Irishman John O'Shea.

Kuszczak's debut couldn't have got off to a more disappointing start - hauling down Emmanuel Adebayor to give the visitors an early penalty. However, the towering Pole soon redeemed himself, saving Gilberto Silva's spot-kick to keep parity.

The game had all the usual spice that has surrounded this fixture in recent years. Controversy, drama and a superb atmosphere, but United failed to perform with the match-winning players largely anonymous and the team struggling to carve out decent chances.

Arsenal, to their credit, were the better side and their five-man midfield frustrated United throughout.

Their patient but determined approach paid dividends only four minutes from time as Adebayor, a lone striker in the absence of Thierry Henry, turned home a Cesc Fabregas pass after Cristiano Ronaldo had lost possession.

United's responded immediately as they desperately ploughed forward in search of an equaliser. The closest we came to finding the net was in the final minute, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer amazed to see his low shot superbly saved by Jens Lehman. If you needed another reason to dislike the cocksure Arsenal stopper then this magnificent save to deny Ole did just the job!

So, defeat for the Red Devils and the sensational run has come to an end after five straight wins. Sir Alex Ferguson's men must put this result behind them and look for all three points as they travel to Reading next Saturday.

Full Time - Manchester United 0-1 Arsenal
Attendance - 75,595

Manchester United: Kuszczak, Neville, Ferdinand, Brown, Silvestre (Evra 23), Fletcher, Scholes (Carrick 78), O'Shea, Ronaldo, Rooney (Solskjaer 77), Saha. Substitutes Not Used: Heaton, Vidic.

The Arsenal: Lehmann, Eboue, Djourou, Toure, Gallas, Rosicky, Ljungberg, Silva, Fabregas, Hleb (Julio Baptista 68), Adebayor (Flamini 88). Substitutes Not Used: Almunia, Hoyte, Walcott.