ARSENAL 0
MANCHESTER UNITED 0
Manchester United fell further off the pace at the top of the Premier League as they were held to a 0-0 draw at Arsenal.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made five changes from the shock defeat to bottom club Sheffield United in midweek but had to settle for a 0-0 draw against a Gunners outfit missing three top players – captain Pierreemerick Aubameyang, Bukayo Saka and Kieran Tierney. However, boss Mikel Arteta was able to hand new signing Martin Odegaard his debut off the bench.
United’s pressing game saw them win plenty of the ball early on and only a fine save from Bernd Leno prevented them taking the lead. A corner was cleared to the edge of the Arsenal box where Fred collected and bent a shot towards goal, Leno tipping the effort behind at full stretch.
Arsenal could not create any clear-cut openings, but Gabriel Martinelli – in for Saka in the only change for the hosts – got back fast to prevent a Paul Pogba pass being turned home by Marcus Rashford.
Emile Smith Rowe was enjoying a good start to the game and he broke into the United half before feeding Pepe, whose shot curled wide of David De Gea’s post.
Pogba moved into a deeper midfield role as Scott Mctominay was forced off with injury and replaced by Anthony Martial. But it was Rashford who had another good chance, failing to get a shot away and instead eventually teeing up Bruno Fernandes, who was fouled on the edge of the box.
His free-kick flicked off the head of David Luiz, wrong-footing Leno, but flying narrowly over the bar.
Arsenal, who introduced Willian in place of Martinelli for the second half, were much quicker out of the blocks as the former Chelsea star and Nicolas Pepe saw shots blocked by United defenders.
The visitors were soon creating chances, Edinson Cavani unable to stab a wayward Luke Shaw shot on target.
But Arsenal were looking much sharper and Alexandre Lacazette rattled the frame of the goal with a free-kick he won after being fouled by Harry Maguire.
Moments later and the impressive Smith Rowe drove a shot at De Gea which the Spaniard had to push clear.
Odegaard was given a 10-minute cameo for his debut as he replaced Smith Rowe late on after United had swapped Rashford for Mason Greenwood.