Manchester United stuck in injury time to secure a 2-1 win in Arsene Wenger‘s final trip to Old Trafford as Arsenal boss.
Paul Pogba gave the hosts the lead in the Premier League encounter before Henrikh Mkhitaryan equalised in the second half.
However, a late header from Marouane Fellaini sealed the win for United.
Here, we analyse Mkhitaryan’s performance.
STATISTICS
Goals – 1
Assists – 0
Shots – 3
Shots on target – 3
Touches – 57
Passes – 36
Key passes – 1
Pass accuracy – 72.2%
Dribbles – 3
Dispossessed – 5
30-SECOND REPORT
Starting on the right of a 4-2-3-1 system for Arsenal, he was one of the more experienced players in the weakened line-up and seemed to respond to the added responsibility of playing a leading role.
He was integral to Arsenal’s play in the final third and their biggest threat on the break. The Armenian took his goal superbly, finding the far corner after dragging a similar effort in the first half wide of the target. He was taken off in the 75th minute and replaced by Joe Willock.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s muted goal celebration.
GOT RIGHT
Movement – Arsenal did the bulk of their attacking on the counter and Mkhitaryan was pivotal to that. His movement on the break was spot on as he stretched United’s retreating back-line with aplomb.
Goal threat – Even before his equaliser, he looked likely to score. A shot just off target in the first half served as a warning that United failed to heed. Took his goal with a drilled strike into the bottom corner.
GOT WRONG
Lost possession – Passing is one of his better qualities but Mkhitaryan was guilty of giving the ball away a little too often on this occasion. While he did dribble past his man a few times, he was also dispossessed more times than any other player on the pitch (5) and he didn’t last the full 90.
Defence – While he did give Ashley Young a few problems, the United full-back had the freedom to bomb forward as well with Mkhitaryan rarely tracking back.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan was miles ahead of Alexis Sanchez.
VERDICT
Many looked at this game, the two line-ups and thought it would be a great chance for Alexis Sanchez to star against his former side. However, while the Chilean was denied by a block on the line by Hector Bellerin, it was Mkhitaryan who put in the better display against his old team.
He was Arsenal’s biggest threat and reminded United of his attacking qualities. In a much weakened Gunners side, he assumed responsibility.
RATING: 7/10
All statistics are compiled using whoscored.com
