Decades of abuse ...and a one-day LOVE-IN
guessing who obliged with the only yellow.
Yep, Granit Xhaka, the Arsenal captain who at least, unlike most, had an eventful afternoon.
Selling himself spectacularly badly in the build-up to United’s first goal, volleyed in by Paul Pogba after an Alexis Sanchez header returned to him via Hector Bellerin and a post, Xhaka might also have got a touch on Fellaini’s winner when challenging him in added time.
Yet he could claim an assist for the equaliser early in the second half.
He capitalised on a slight misunderstanding between Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic before handing over to Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who decorated a very decent individual return to Old Trafford with a neat finish from some distance. It was deserved parity for a young Arsenal team who were relatively tidy but Wenger has not been able to celebrate a Premier League point, never mind a win, away from home for four months.
Instead, as Fellaini’s magnetic mop drew in and diverted Ashley Young’s cross, it was Mourinho who turned to his bench and stood, arms stretched wide in celebration.
Fellaini tugged at the Manchester United crest and Mourinho was positively salivating at the strengthening idea that the match-winner will, after all, sign a new contract.
His football might not be beautiful but he is useful and that is all that matters to Mourinho.
And while others get adoration for their beauty, as long as these type of results keep coming, Jose is not going to change. AFTER decades of abuse and acrimony, a truce was called between Arsene Wenger and Manchester United on his final visit to Old Trafford.
Wenger had been forced to endure appalling vitriol, some so unpalatable that Sir Alex Ferguson once called publicly for it to stop.
But here, with Wenger visiting the famous stadium as Arsenal boss for the 28th and last time, rivalries were put aside as United fans greeted the Frenchman with a standing ovation when he emerged from the tunnel and walked down the touchline.
Wenger, no doubt bemused by the new-found respect, showed his acknowledgment with several polite waves.
There was more to come before kick-off, Sir Alex making a presentation to Wenger on the pitch (circle), the pair eventually joined by a reluctant Jose Mourinho (top), three managerial greats joined in mutual appreciation. After the pleasantries, old hostilities were resumed, with United fans launching into a rendition of the Vieira song about him giving Ryan Giggs the ball and Arsenal winning “f**k-all”.
Away fans responded by reminding their United counterparts about clinching the title at Old Trafford in 2002, as well as a jibe about the sleepy atmosphere at the Theatre of Dreams.
Wenger did not emerge from the dug-out until United went ahead, throwing a hand up in disgust at abject defending.
The goal prompted a mocking chant of “Arsene Wenger, we want you to stay”, although Arsenal’s line-up, chosen with Thursday’s Europa League tie at Atletico Madrid in mind, did not yield the expected glut of goals.
Instead, Arsenal equalised. But ultimately he left as a loser again, appropriately enough in ‘Fergie time’.