Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was spotted doing one thing immediately after Leandro Trossard put the Gunners ahead against Manchester United.
Arsenal went to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon knowing that only a win against Manchester United would keep them in with any kind of realistic chance of being crowned Premier League champions.
Based on form alone, the Gunners will have been considered heavy favourites heading into this fixture. However, their poor record at Old Trafford, plus the scale of the potential prize at stake, will have added the weight of additional pressure on Mikel Arteta’s men.
Why Mikel Arteta didn’t let Gabriel celebrate Arsenal goal
The Red Devils played with some confidence in the first half, and the Gunners were not zipping the ball around with their usual intensity. However, despite this, Arsenal were still able to get their noses in front with 20 minutes on the clock.
Ben White lobbed a ball over to Kai Havertz, who found himself in acres of space in the final third, having been played onside by Casemiro. The German then drove into the penalty area before picking out Leandro Trossard who tapped in from close range.
After a very brief celebration on the touchline, though, Arteta was quick to resume a business-like approach and immediately demanded a word with centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes.
As noted by the Sky Sports Live Blog (12/05/2024, 17:05): “Gabriel didn’t get a chance to celebrate the opener, with Mikel Arteta calling the defender straight over to relay tactical instructions.”
What Arsenal lacked against Manchester United
The Spanish coach clearly wanted his side to take a tighter grip of the game and take greater control of matters, beginning with their use of the ball at the back. Despite being a goal up by this point, the North London outfit had struggled to play their way through Manchester United’s massed ranks and had surrendered possession entirely for a couple of extended spells.
The Arsenal defence has been in a class of its own this season, and looked solid at Old Trafford as a unit. The Gunners’ ability to impose their authority on games has to start with their composure and control on the ball at the back, though, and that was lacking in the North West.
Manchester United also deserve credit for frustrating the title chasers, and remaining well organised and compact for much of the match. The Gunners weren’t able to produce their best in this game, but nor were they allowed to.
