PARTEY OVER FOR POG
Fallen United star’s flicks and tricks don’t impress Keano, who has spotted a real winner in Arsenal’s new boy
AHEAD of this hard-earned Arsenal victory, Roy Keane was in familiar form.
He was talking Paul Pogba and it was not sweet.
Doesn’t do enough, not enough fight, not enough spirit, not good enough to play midfield for Manchester United.
Apart from that …
It was quintessential Keane and, at half-time and full-time, there was plenty more to come. The scattergun was out.
But in the case of Pogba, there was nothing in the 94 minutes to suggest Keane did not have a reasonable argument.
To put it kindly, it was a poor day at the office.
Never mind the concession of the penalty that gave Arsenal their first win at a Big Six rival in over half a decade.
Compare his performance with that of Thomas Partey.
Arsenal’s flagship signing was magnificent, keeping his game magnificently simple.
Pogba was flicks and tricks, complicating issues and flitting in and out of the game.
Perhaps the system did not help but the contrast with Partey’s game-influencing input was stark.
On this occasion, Partey was the player Pogba should be and has been. No wonder Mikel Arteta was so desperate to secure his signing. Partey could be a game-changer.
He certainly stood out in a victory that was only remarkable in that it snapped that run of games without a victory at a blue chip rival.
For two founder members of the so-called Big Six, much of this was strictly small beer.
A single shot on target in one half of football is a statistic unbecoming of the self-styled elite.
The cleverly-worked opening that saw Willian’s left-footer kiss the crossbar was an anomaly in a first period Mike Dean appeared to cut short by a few seconds. No wonder. Watching Manchester United play on the counter at home is as weird as watching in an empty 75,000-seater stadium.
But there was more positivity after the break, although that could have been because Arsenal dropped deeper.
It was an advert for the counterattacking culture, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang almost making one sharp incision pay. Instead, his clip
drifted just wide, symptomatic of his current form.
His accuracy has deserted him, his timing – in terms of connecting with crosses – is just a touch awry.
That his dip has coincided with the early days of a new deal is merely a coincidence.
What he needed was a gift and Pogba delivered it with a sluggish reaction to the run of Hector Bellerin and the consequently mis-timed challenge.
Dean had no hesitation in pointing to the spot in his inimitable fashion. Dean never has any hesitation in pointing to the spot in his inimitable fashion.
Incidentally, if you want a statistic that shows the influence of crowds, how about this one?
United have had five penalties given against them at Old Trafford in their last seven Premier League home games. They had five given against them in the previous 101.
Aubameyang’s emphatic conversion of this one did not suggest a man who will struggle for confidence. Unlike some of these United players.
The contrast between the two sets of full-backs, for example, was telling. Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan- Bissaka only seemed to venture forward under sufferance while Bellerin and Kieran Tierney needed no invitation.
Scott McTominay put his customary foot in but showed precious little creativity while Fred never got to terms with his role in a midfield diamond.
Bruno Fernandes produced only amateur dramatics.
Without a Premier League home win this season, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer obviously has issues to deal with.
Getting the best out of Pogba is one of them.
Perhaps he should show him a video of Partey’s contribution.
Arteta has found his leader.