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22 January 2007, by Sean Gillen

United stunned by late double

Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United

Manchester United failed to extend their lead at the top of the Premiership as Arsenal scored two late goals to stun the leaders at the Emirates Stadium. Robin van Persie and Thierry Henry gave the Gunners what had looked an unlikely victory, after Wayne Rooney gave United the lead.

Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo played on the left wing for United, as Alex Ferguson adopted a system with five men in midfield, with Henrik Larsson again getting the nod ahead of Louis Saha for the lone front man role.

United started well, and Ronaldo sent an early right-footed shot flying wide of the post as the visitors controlled the opening ten minutes with some good possession football and bright, positive attacking play.

The game became more evenly contested as time went on, although clear-cut goalscoring chances were rare as both sides became engaged in a fascinating tactical battle.

It took over half an hour for the first clear goalscoring chance to arrive. Emmanuel Adebayor’s cross picked out Henry at the back post, but the Frenchman headed straight at van Der Sar.

Double save

Henry then had a penalty appeal turned down after a clash with Gary Neville inside the area, before United came desperately close on two occasions before the break. Lehman’s punch from a cross fell to Rooney on the edge of the area, and the England striker took a touch before hitting a dipping shot, which the German tipped over the bar.

From the resulting corner, Lehman was again on hand when an unmarked Larsson’s header appeared destined for the bottom corner, until the goalkeeper produced an excellent low save down to his left.

The second half was only eight minutes old when United silenced the home crowd by taking the lead. Patrice Evra’s superb run from left-back saw him played in by Ronaldo, and the full-back’s dangerous whipped cross found Rooney at the back post to end his recent goal drought with a diving header.

Although an inevitable Arsenal reaction followed, United’s strong defence coped well with the Gunners threat for long periods after the goal. Arsenal introduced Dutchman van Persie, but remained short on ideas, with Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic dealing well with several long balls from the home side.

Ronaldo remained a threat with his tireless running as United looked to hold out, although the Portuguese rarely got into advanced attacking positions to really cause damage to the opposition defence.

Late turnaround

However, just when it appeared that United were comfortably heading for three points, Arsenal drew level. The ball broke for Rosicky out wide following a scramble, and the Czech delivered a ball across the face of goal, and van Persie arrived at the back post to fire into the roof of the net.

Gabriel Heinze replaced Ronaldo in the closing stages as United appeared to be settling for a point, but the Gunners sensed a winner, and delivered a killer blow in the third minute of injury time.

United couldn’t cope under Arsenal’s late pressure as Emmanuel Eboue played a neat one-two with Rosicky before crossing for an inexcusably unmarked Henry to head home and break United hearts.

Alex Ferguson (Manchester United manager):

“It’s hard to take. We have lost a game I can’t believe we have lost. We’ve thrown away a game we really should have won.”

“The players played well. They worked hard, and there’s not a lot I can fault them for. We’ll have to analyse how we lost the goals, but I couldn’t see any danger all match.

“We’re six points clear. Yes we could have been nine – and should have been – but the experience of losing so late will help us. If we get in front in tough games we’ll remember these last seven minutes.”

Arsenal:
Lehmann, Eboue (Hoyte 90), Toure, Senderos, Clichy, Hleb (Van Persie 67), Fabregas, Flamini (Julio Baptista 79), Rosicky, Adebayor, Henry
Yellow Cards: Toure (14)

Man Utd:
Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo (Heinze 90), Scholes, Carrick, Giggs, Rooney, Larsson (Saha 81)
Yellow Cards: Giggs (19), Evra (27), Ronaldo (88)

Goals:
[0-1] Rooney, 53
[1-1] van Persie, 83
[2-1] Henry, 90