Arsene Wenger finally recorded a Premier League victory against Jose Mourinho as Arsenal kept their slim top-four hopes alive with a well-deserved win over Manchester United.
The under-fire Frenchman had failed to beat Mourinho in the pair’s previous 12 league meetings but he got his first three points against the former Chelsea boss just when he needed it.
Granit Xhaka’s deflected strike gave the hosts a lead at the start of the second half before ex-United striker Danny Welbeck scored his third in as many games against his former employers to secure a 2-0 win.
We take a look at seven statistics which tell the story of the game.
Far from daunted in making his full debut Axel Tuanzebe at the Emirates Stadium, the 19-year-old more than held his own against the Gunners.
He was aggressive in his pressing on the ball and it led to him making five tackles – more than any other player on the pitch.
Sticking with the number five, he was also United’s fifth teenage Premier League debutant since the start of last season and he’s promising one at that.
A pass accuracy of 81%, coupled with four clearances, three interceptions and two blocks hint at his solidity but of course, United lost and it will be a bittersweet debut for the youngster.
Wayne Rooney makes his 750th app for club & country, whilst Axel Tuanzebe is Man Utd's 5th teenage PL debutant since start of last season pic.twitter.com/4hoFroNvHa
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) May 7, 2017
Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka got his name on the goal sheet, albeit very fortuitously, but this one of his brighter performances in a Gunners shirt.
Assured and disciplined he gave a strong indication that next season he could be the man Arsenal need in the heart of their midfield.
Central to his impressive display was his composed presence on the ball as he registered the best pass accuracy in the game for any player making more than 10 passes.
Of his 73 passes made, 94.6% found another Arsenal shirt, which works out at 69 pass completed.
Granit Xhaka against Man United. #AFCvMUFC pic.twitter.com/oRYwLxg0Ya
— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley_) May 7, 2017
Xhaka also had the distinction of scoring Arsenal’s 50th Premier League goal against Man United in the 50th Premier League meeting between the two sides.
In the process, the Switzerland international became the 25th Arsenal player to score in this fixture.
His goal was his fourth in an Arsenal shirt across all competitions, three of them now coming from outside the area.
If there is one stat which best surmises United’s struggle to secure a spot in the top four it’s this: they are yet to score away from home against any team in the top six.
They had 0-0 draws to Liverpool and Man City and suffered a 4-0 loss to leaders Chelsea to add to the 2-0 defeat inflicted by Arsenal today.
That’s six conceded and none scored in four games – grim.
It probably won’t shock to know Wayne Rooney didn’t have his best display in front of goal at the Emirates.
He registered a total of six shots – two more than the rest of the United squad combined – with just two on target.
And six is clearly a number which doesn’t sit well with the United frontman as he attempted six tackles today and didn’t make a single one – Mesut Ozil and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain both making a mockery of him by decking him.
Chamberlain sent Rooney back to Everton. pic.twitter.com/ipClf5b2f0
— Mohamed ElNneny (@ElNnenyM) May 7, 2017
Yes, Arsene Wenger finally brought to an end his drought in the Premier League against Jose Mourinho.
Their fierce rivalry erupted at Chelsea, boiled over when Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge and has simmered with the Portuguese at United.
But the Frenchman now has one win in the 13 times his Arsenal side have clashed with a Mourinho team in the league.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was in superd form today. He earned man-of-the-match plaudits for a performance of enterprise and crucially end product.
The 23-year-old laid on two assists to take his tally in the league this season to seven.
Staggeringly that’s as many assists as in his five previous seasons COMBINED.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has 7 Premier League assists this season, Alexis Sanchez is the only Arsenal player with more (9).
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 7, 2017
Helping hand. pic.twitter.com/bf8IW7yQcH
