Football Features

    Arsenal 2-0 Man United player ratings: Corners do the damage for Gunners to end Amorim’s unbeaten start

    By Harry Edwards

    Published: 23:03, 4 December 2024

    Arsenal‘s set pieces were on full display as they beat Manchester United 2-0 in the Premier League.

    The Gunners will be harbouring title hopes and knew that a win over Man United would be a big statement. The Red Devils have slowly grown under Ruben Amorim, though this was their biggest test. It was a uneventful first half, with just five shots, none of which hit the target.

    But Arsenal took their chances after the break. Both of their goals came in true Arsenal fashion, from corners. They’ve now scored 22 goals from corners in the Premier League since the start of last season, more than any other side.

    Arsenal player ratings

    David Raya: 74%

    He wasn’t tested as much as the man in the opposing net, having to make just two saves. But David Raya still prevented 0.98 goals, the second-most in the Premier League on Wednesday. He picked up yet another clean sheet too, moving second in the Premier League’s Golden Glove standings.

    Jurrien Timber: 70%

    Jurrien Timber opened the scoring for Arsenal with a header from a corner, his only shot on target. The Dutchman was part of an Arsenal defence that conceded just two shots on target, so he had very little to do defensively. He won possession twice in the defensive third, won one tackle and blocked a cross. At the other end of the pitch, Timber had four touches in the opposition box.

    William Saliba: 70%

    William Saliba made Arsenal’s win certain with another goal from a corner, not that he knew too much about it. Defensively, Saliba was superb, even without having to do too much. He helped Arsenal keep their shape, with a retention rate of 93.59%, and would win the ball back too, with five ball recoveries.

    Jakub Kiwior: 69%

    Jakub Kiwior has had his critics this season, and rightly so. But this was a good performance from the Polish centre-back to show that he can battle at the top level. He won two tackles and completed five long passes, being key in moving the ball out from the back. Kiwior also won two aerial duels and 100% of his ground duels.

    Oleksandr Zinchenko: 58%

    Oleksandr Zinchenko was the more reserved of Arsenal’s two full-backs which is surprising considering his midfield history. But the Ukrainian made one interception during his time on the pitch, alongside two aerial duels and three possessions won in the defensive third. But he was dispossessed once in his own half, which counts against him.

    Martin Odegaard: 68%

    Martin Odegaard was a key man in Arsenal’s midfield both on and off the ball. He completed four passes into the penalty area, created one big chance and completed four take-ons. Odegaard also helped win the ball back with four possessions won in the middle third, with six successful duels overall.

    Thomas Partey: 77%

    Thomas Partey could the assist for Saliba’s goal but this was another solid performance at the base of Arsenal’s midfield. Partey won possession three times in the middle third and had nine final third entries, probing the Man United defence with his passing. He also helped to restrict Man United’s chances at goal.

    Declan Rice: 77%

    Declan Rice was named Man of the Match by Alan Shearer and provided an assist for the opening goal from a corner. But from open play he helped keep Arsenal in control. The Englishman won one tackle and made one interception retaining possession, winning four aerial duels. He also had eight ball recoveries and four possessions won in the middle third. A stellar display.

    Bukayo Saka: 70%

    Bukayo Saka caused Man United some problems with his set piece deliveries and crosses, completing four crosses overall and creating two chances. He also gave Man United’s left flank a tough night with two take-ons completed, nine penalty area entries and six touches in the opposition box. He didn’t get involved in a goal, but he was a menace.

    Kai Havertz: 42%

    Although they scored twice, this was a game which showed Arsenal’s need for a lethal striker. Kai Havertz had just 27 touches, the second-least of any Arsenal starter. The German did have one shot on target, but missed a big chance with that effort. He had as many offsides as he did shots.

    Gabriel Martinelli: 55%

    It was a quite night for Gabriel Martinelli in his 70 minutes on the pitch. The Brazilian had just one shot on target and two penalty area entries, alongside five touches in the opposition box. The killer was a big chance missed and two unsuccessful touches, passing up key opportunities.

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    Man United player ratings

    Andre Onana: 70%

    Despite conceding twice, Andre Onana prevented 1.11 goals against Arsenal, the most in the league on Wednesday. He had to make four saves, all of which came from inside the box. Onana was unfortunate that Man United just couldn’t deal with Arsenal’s set pieces, as he also caught two crosses and made four punches.

    Matthijs de Ligt: 59%

    Matthijs de Ligt was the right-sided centre-back and had his work cut out for him, protecting the space left by Dalot moving into midfield. The Dutchman won one tackle and made three clearances alongside one interception retaining possession. He also won all of his duels. But De Ligt was part of a defence that conceded 13 shots from inside the box, with a total xG of 2.33.

    Harry Maguire: 59%

    Harry Maguire was taken off in the 59th minute, but he had a decent game while on the pitch. The Englishman had a retention rate of 94.44% proving to be trustworthy on the ball, which hasn’t always been the case. He made two clearances and won two tackles, as well as 100% of his ground duels.

    Noussair Mazraoui: 56%

    Another game as a centre-back, this wasn’t as strong a performance for Noussair Mazraoui. The Moroccan made three clearances and won one tackle, with one interception retaining possession. But Mazraoui won just 28.57% of his ground duels, beat far too often.

    Diogo Dalot: 49%

    It was a night to forget for Diogo Dalot, who might have had his worst game for Man United for quite some time. The Portuguese full-back made just one tackle and one interception despite playing the full 90 minutes. He also had two unsuccessful touches and didn’t do too much at the other end of the pitch.

    Manuel Ugarte: 58%

    Manuel Ugarte was busy in Man United’s midfield with two interceptions retaining possession, one tackle won and three aerial duels won. He also made five ball recoveries but only won possession twice in the middle third and was dispossessed three times.

    Bruno Fernandes: 52%

    This was a poor performance from the Man United captain. Bruno Fernandes won one tackle but didn’t make an interception retaining possession and lost four challenges. This all despite making eight ball recoveries and four possessions won in the middle third. It just wasn’t enough.

    Tyrell Malacia: 60%

    Tyrell Malacia only played 45 minutes at the Emirates, taken off at half-time as he had been booked in the first half. During his time on the pitch, Malacia did make two interceptions and one successful pass into the penalty area. Arsenal also didn’t have a shot on target while Malacia was on the pitch.

    Mason Mount: 52%

    Mason Mount didn’t really make an impact during his time on the pitch. The Englishman had just one penalty area entry and two final third passes completed. He didn’t create a single chance before coming off in the 59th minute.

    Alejandro Garnacho: 60%

    Alejandro Garnacho played just under an hour at the Emirates and asked some questions, with one take-on completed and one foul won in the final third. He had to be stopped illegally before getting into the penalty area. But he only had one penalty area entry and six final third passes completed.

    Rasmus Hojlund: 43%

    Rasmus Hojlund played 78 minutes but didn’t get involved in the game. He failed to have a single shot and had just 20 touches overall. He did win a few aerial duels, but Man United needed presence in front of goal.

    How do Squawka player ratings work?

    Squawka’s new player rating system is wholly stats-based. Player scores are based on the numbers they put up across a range of on-ball events, from goals scored to tackles won.

    We tailored each score to the players’ respective positions using extensive research and expertise. For example, forwards are rated on metrics like shots on target, touches in the opposition box, and big chances created. Meanwhile, centre-backs are rewarded for winning aerial duels, making blocks, successful long-range passes, etc.

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