Man Utd committed 37 fouls on Saturday evening. (Photo by Mike Lawrence/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
Positive #2: Newfound respect
I’m not sure whether this is a positive or a negative, but United’s approach was indicative of just how far Arsenal have come under Arteta. Erik ten Hag was intent on treating this unlike a friendly, and the Red Devils were intent on disrupting the Gunners’ rhythm from the get-go.
United committed 37 fouls on Saturday evening, while Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire were booked for rather unfriendly-like challenges.
Following their excellent 2022/23 season, Arsenal now have a target on their backs and Ten Hag’s side were seemingly intent on sending out a very early statement. It was their intensity, aggression, and competitiveness that fired them to victory.
Negative #2: Performance without the ball
Key to the Gunners’ improvement under Arteta has been their work without possession. Once a pragmatic unit capable of containing opponents, Arsenal relentlessly sought to win the ball back high up the pitch last season in a 4-4-2 structure.
With United deploying three diminutive forwards on Saturday, Arteta’s side could’ve suffocated the Red Devils had they pressed with the vigour of 2022/23. However, Arsenal were a yard of the pace and they were subsequently punished. Ten Hag’s side built up at will, with their third-man runs and slick interplay often far too much to handle.
And when Arsenal did get it right on the pressing front, United frustratingly had success when they went long. The Red Devils frequently penetrated the Gunners’ high defensive line and so often forced their opponents onto the back foot.
Continued on the next slide…
said post-match</a>. “Obviously, he is adapting really quickly to the team, and you could see the confidence, the determination that he plays with.”</p>
<h2>Negative #1: Other newbies struggle</h2>
<p>While Timber impressed on his first Arsenal start, Rice and Kai Havertz endured difficult evenings. The pair started the contest alongside skipper Martin Odegaard in midfield, but both failed to impose themselves on proceedings.</p>
<p>Rice struggled to contain the excellent Bruno Fernandes, who ran off him to create an excellent early chance, while the Portuguese international was a pest without possession to ensure the £105m man couldn’t dictate the flow of the contest.</p>
<p>Rice looked a touch off the pace overall, while Havertz was physically overwhelmed by a robust United midfield. He drifted in and out of the contest, offering little in all phases. However, there was a glimpse of what the German could provide when he ghosted into the United box, but he headed over from Odegaard’s deft cross.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/07/23/3-positives-negatives-pre-season-defeat-man-utd/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #2 positive & negative </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-135470" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/07/23/3-positives-negatives-pre-season-defeat-man-utd/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1703,w_2560/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1564315908-scaled.jpeg" alt="" width="2560" height="1703" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1564315908-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1564315908-768x511.jpeg 768w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1564315908-1536x1022.jpeg 1536w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1564315908-2048x1363.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Man Utd committed 37 fouls on Saturday evening. (Photo by Mike Lawrence/ISI Photos/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
<h2>Positive #2: Newfound respect</h2>
<p>I’m not sure whether this is a positive or a negative, but United’s approach was indicative of just how far Arsenal have come under Arteta. Erik ten Hag was intent on treating this unlike a friendly, and the Red Devils were intent on disrupting the Gunners’ rhythm from the get-go.</p>
<p>United committed 37 fouls on Saturday evening, while Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire were booked for rather unfriendly-like challenges.</p>
<p>Following their excellent 2022/23 season, Arsenal now have a target on their backs and Ten Hag’s side were seemingly intent on sending out a very early statement. It was their intensity, aggression, and competitiveness that fired them to victory.</p>
<h2>Negative #2: Performance without the ball</h2>
<p>Key to the Gunners’ improvement under Arteta has been their work without possession. Once a pragmatic unit capable of containing opponents, Arsenal relentlessly sought to win the ball back high up the pitch last season in a 4-4-2 structure.</p>
<p>With United deploying three diminutive forwards on Saturday, Arteta’s side could’ve suffocated the Red Devils had they pressed with the vigour of 2022/23. However, Arsenal were a yard of the pace and they were subsequently punished. Ten Hag’s side built up at will, with their third-man runs and slick interplay often far too much to handle.</p>
<p>And when Arsenal did get it right on the pressing front, United frustratingly had success when they went long. The Red Devils frequently penetrated the Gunners’ high defensive line and so often forced their opponents onto the back foot.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/07/23/3-positives-negatives-pre-season-defeat-man-utd/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #3 positive & negative </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-135471" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/07/23/3-positives-negatives-pre-season-defeat-man-utd/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1703,w_2560/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1564317005-scaled.jpeg" alt="" width="2560" height="1703" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1564317005-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1564317005-768x511.jpeg 768w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1564317005-1536x1022.jpeg 1536w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1564317005-2048x1363.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px"><p class="wp-caption-text">The boss has plenty of time this summer to work things out. (Photo by Mike Lawrence/ISI Photos/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
<h2>Positive #3: Time is on Arteta’s side</h2>
<p>This was a disjointed Arsenal showing characterised by their performance without the ball and the lack of synergy between the midfield three.</p>
<p>However, the start of the Premier League season is still some time away (although it’s less than a month now) and the Gunners still have three games before they face up against Nottingham Forest on 15 August.</p>
<p>With Rice adjusting to performing for a possession-oriented side and Havertz taking up a role he’s rarely performed before, it’s going to take time for the new boys to adapt. Moreover, further evolution is required on the tactical front if they’re to improve on their stellar 2022/23 campaign. Timber may be key in that regard.</p>
<p>So, while there’s reason for concern, Arteta still has plenty of time to figure things out. While pre-season has seemingly gained greater importance in modern times, the summer is still all about reducing the rust and increasing fitness levels heading into the new season. Saturday’s performance is not going to define Arsenal’s summer, let alone 2023/24.</p>
<h2>Negative #3: Individual errors costly</h2>
<p>Arsenal’s defensive performance fell off a cliff last season after William Saliba’s injury, but there were signs of decline preceding the Frenchman’s absence.</p>
<p>For all of their collective brilliance, individual errors occasionally compromised the Gunners.</p>
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<p>Such issues reared their ugly head in New Jersey as United raced into a 2-0 first-half lead off the back of a pair of Arsenal errors. Aaron Ramsdale should’ve done more to prevent Bruno’s strike from distance finding the back of the net and Gabriel’s mishit clearance which led to United’s second was simply inexplicable.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
