Rice scores as Arsenal salvage a point at Manchester United

At the other end, Mikel Arteta opted for a 4-3-3 formation with all their first choice defenders like Timber, Gabriel, Saliba and Calafiori. Partey and Rice were in the central midfield while captain Odegaard were in the playmaking role as usual. In the absence of any recognized striker due to injuries, Merino and Nwaneri filled the forward line with Trossard in support.

The first real chance of the game came to Arsenal in the 10^th minute when Odegaard played a one-two pass with Rice before the ball fell to Merino’s feet after a standing challenge from defender Yoro, but a decent effort by the Spaniard from the edge of the box flashed just wide of the right post.

Also read: Liverpool demolish Manchester City to put one hand on the EPL title

While Alejandro Garnacho caused occasional problems down the right, the visitors largely remained in control during the first half but struggled to break through the Red Devils’ backline, with Martin Odegaard seeing his strike from range saved by André Onana. Despite having offered very little going forward during most of the first half, United went ahead before half time as Trossard’s blatant challenge on Garnacho awarded the hosts a free-kick that Bruno Fernandes sent flying into the top corner with his side’s first shot on target of the match.

After the restart, in the 51^st minute Odegaard did well to control a poor pass on the edge of the box then shooting towards the roof of the net, however Andre Onana, though out of position was able to make a brilliant save. Three minutes later, Noussair Mazraoui had a golden opportunity to double their lead from a corner. However, the Morocco international volleyed from point blank range low towards the middle of the net, but David Raya was alert and made an amazing save.

The hosts followed up such intensity and in the 59^th minute they again came close of scoring. Joshua Zirkzee wasted a huge opportunity when he received a precise cross inside the penalty area and produced a low shot that sailed towards the middle of a goal. His effort, however, lacked power and goalkeeper David Raya made a comfortable save.

Despite the sudden counter attacks from United, the gunners continued to play their usual free flowing football and such efforts eventually paid off in the 74^th minute when Declan Rice latched on to an excellent pass from Jurien Timber just outside the box and unleashed a powerful strike through the crowd of bodies towards the left hand post and it bounced into the back of the net.

There wasn’t to be a second for either side as Onana palmed newly introduced Gabriel Martinelli’s strike past the post. Rice and Gabriel Magalhães then made vital interventions to deny substitute Rasmus Højlund, while Raya made a brilliant save to deny Fernandes in stoppage time as Arsenal played out their second consecutive draw in the Premier League, which leaves them 15 points behind leaders Liverpool. This was also United’s third draw after 90 minutes from their last four matches across all competitions, which was enough to take them up one place to 14^th in the league table.

In other matches of Sunday, Chelsea moved to 4^th place in the table courtesy of a 1-0 home victory over struggling Leicester City, while Tottenham fought back from a two goal deficit to manage a 2-2 home draw against Bournemouth.