by Ifreke Inyang

English Premier league rivals, Arsenal FC and Manchester United squared off last night at Old Trafford.

The North London club went on to defeat United by a margin of 2-1.

Here are 5 things we learnt from the football-duel:

1. Welbeck delivers

One of the surprises, as Arsene Wenger named his side to face Manchester United on Monday night, was Danny Welbeck. The striker, who came through the ranks at Old Trafford, was preferred ahead of Olivier Giroud, who has scored five times in his last five appearances. Welbeck does not guarantee you goals, but he always scores full marks for endeavour. And on the night, his winning goal was down to his willingness to chase everything and anything.

2. Di Maria’s sad season continues

When Angel Di Maria whipped in a devillish cross for Wayne Rooney to equalize shortly before half time, a few United fans thought his confidence was slowly returning. But as the Red Devils chased the game in the second half, Di Maria reverted back to type and got sent off for pulling referee Michael Oliver. The Argentina winger will now miss Sunday’s crunch tie against Tottenham Hotspur.

3. Arsenal’s defence still wobbling

The Gunners might have won the battle on the night, but it was not victory built on defensive solidity. Hector Bellerin was a bit shaky, especially after the early yellow card. Per Mertesacker was desperately slow, while Laurent Koscielny did not exude his usual composure. Something to work on for Wenger, as the season scurries to a close.

4. #LongBallUnited

Louis van Gaal can go ahead and pull up stats that even Squawka and Opta don’t have, but on the evidence of what we saw last night, United are essentially a long ball team. Time and time again, they kept humping the ball forward, hoping to find the big-haired Marouane Fellaini. It did not quite pay off.

5. More silverware for Wenger?

After another testing win in Manchester this year, Wenger is off to Wembley, where his team will face either Bradford or Reading. On paper, you expect the Gunners to go through to the final and defend their trophy. But this is good old football.

 

‘Ifreke Inyang tweets via @Ifreke