GIROUD DENIES
MAN UNITED VICTORY
MISSED CHANCE: Gunners boss still winless against Mourinho in 14 matches
OLIVIER Giroud scored an 89th-minute equaliser as Arsenal snatched a 1-1 draw at Manchester United despite being outplayed in a disappointing Premier League match between two English heavyweights yesterday.
In a rare attack by the visitors, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain reached the byline and crossed for his fellow substitute to head home at the far post with Arsenal’s first effort on target all match.
Juan Mata’s 68th-minute goal put United ahead, the Spain playmaker meeting a right-wing cut-back by Ander Herrera with a low, first-time shot into the corner.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger’s winless run in competitive meetings with rival coach Jose Mourinho extended to 14 matches, but the Frenchman will probably not be too concerned with that after seeing his side escape with a point.
Mourinho dubbed his side “the unluckiest team in the Premier League” after the draw.
United have won just two of their last nine league games and trail Arsenal by six points.
“Of course it is two points dropped. We were the best team by far. They had no chances to win,” Mourinho said.
“They could not be Arsenal the way they normally play football. We were phenomenal defensively. The way we pressed and the way we controlled their counter-attacks.
“Then when we had the ball we were very comfortable. We scored a fantastic goal, we had chances to win the game and then the only time they go there and the only time we had a situation we could not resolve, they scored.
“They are the lucky ones and we are the unlucky ones. The team played very well. This team at the moment is the unluckiest team in the Premier League. That is the reality.”
Mata was disappointed after missing out on a win.
“Very frustrating, to be honest,” Mata said. “We were really close to winning the game. This is the Premier League ... they only needed one chance.”
But Wenger drew heart from their refusal to accept defeat.
“The result in the end is positive for us because we were 1-0 down with two minutes to go,” the Frenchman told Sky Sports.
“For the rest it was a bit of a scrappy game with two teams well organised who defended well.
“The players who came on made a massive difference today. When you are 1-0 down and come back to 1-1, of course you have to feel happy.
“We lacked a bit of sharpness today. What is it down to? I don’t know, but at least we came back.”
Arsenal have not won at United in the league since September 2006 and Wenger admitted his side’s dismal record at Old Trafford had crossed his mind as he watched from the bench.
“I wondered during the game about that. Honestly, you never know,” he said.
“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.” Agencies