Giroud saves Arsenal with another late equaliser

MANCHESTER: Substitute Olivier Giroud converted Arsenal’s first effort on target in the 89th minute to rescue a smashand-grab 1-1 draw for Arsene Wenger’s side at Manchester United on Saturday.

Juan Mata’s 69th-minute strike looked to have earned Jose Mourinho’s United a much-needed win, only for Giroud to level with a last-gasp header from fellow substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s cross.

The result preserved Arsenal’s six-point lead over sixth-place United, who are falling even further behind the Premier League leaders.

“The result in the end is positive for us because we were 1-0 down with two minutes to go,” said Arsenal manager Wenger.

“Last year we would have maybe lost this game and today we didn’t, so we have improved on that front. Hopefully now we can kick on with some wins.”

Arsenal remain without a league win at Old Trafford in 10 years and Wenger has still not beaten Mourinho in the league in 12 attempts. But this was a draw that will have felt like a win for Wenger, particularly after Mourinho provocatively cited the Frenchman’s 12-year wait for a league title in the build-up to the game.

“This team at the moment is the unluckiest team in the Premier League. That is the reality,” Mourinho said. “I have absolutely nothing to say against my players. But I feel sorry for them because we feel like a defeat and for sure Arsenal is feeling like a victory.”

Giroud’s goal, only his fourth of the season, extended Arsenal’s unbeaten run to 17 games in all competitions and left United with just two wins from their last nine league fixtures.

United felt they should have had a penalty in the 35th minute when Antonio Valencia nutmegged Nacho Monreal and then went down as the Spaniard leaned across him.

But referee Andre Marriner said no, leaving Mourinho to rage on the touchline.

“My view was it was not a penalty. You won’t be surprised by that,” Wenger said. “Mourinho’s view is it was a penalty. You won’t be surprised by that.”