Solskjaer’s quarantine at the Emirates
The FA cup 4th round featured a clash between the record holders of the cup, Arsenal and Manchester United. Arsenal’s recent cup runs saw them win 3 in 4 years between 2014–17 to overtake United as the team with the most FA Cup titles. United meanwhile lost 3 of their last 4 finals, halting their cup tally to 12 against Arsenal’s 13.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s winning streak was extended to seven games after United had beaten Brighton in the league to continue breathing down Arsenal’s neck as only goal difference is keeping the Gunners ahead with both teams on 44 points. Arsenal entertained Chelsea at the Emirates, dominating Maurizio Sarri’s side in the first 15 minutes by exploiting the space behind Marcos Alonso and neutralizing Jorginho using a 4–3–1–2 similar to the one Spurs fielded in their 3–1 win against the same opponent. The win brought Unai Emery one step closer to fourth place, but a season-ending injury to Hector Bellerin left Arsenal hindered as his replacements whether Stephan Lichtsteiner or Ainsley Maitland-Niles aren’t on the same level.
At the Emirates Solskjaer continued with the same system he used against Spurs a couple of weeks ago. An unorthodox 4–3–3 which shifts into a diamond midfield when Jesse Lingard drops into midfield. However this time with different personnel upfront, Alexis Sanchez started on the left while Romelu Lukaku started on the right in the exact role he excelled in before with Everton against Arsenal in 2014, and last summer for Belgium against Brazil in the World Cup’s Quarter-finals.
Arsenal decided to move away from the diamond and fielded a 4–2–3–1 with Pierre Emerick Aubameyang on the right wing and Aaron Ramsey behind Alexandre Lacazette, as the exile of Mesut Ozil continues. Arsenal’s attacking strategy focused heavily on their left side, Saed Kolasinac burst forward regularly to assist Alex Iwobi but United were prepared. Ander Herrera positioned himself near the right wing throughout the game, doubling up with Ashley Young against the Arsenal duo. Preventing the 2 v 1 situation meant that Arsenal rarely threatened from the left side, but they came close in the 23rd minute when Ramsey roamed to the left side, creating an extra man and freeing Iwobi. The Nigerian’s shot however didn’t create any trouble for Sergio Romero.
Kolasinac’s attacking duties created space behind the Bosnian and United’s plan was in place as they targeted that space, feeding Lukaku balls into the right wing. The Belgian was the main outlet for United and in an exchange of positions with Lingard he turned creator. Lukaku moved centrally after he controlled the ball on the right wing behind Kolasinac and gave it to Lingard. The ball fell to Lukaku after a series of passing and his reverse pass found Sanchez who was darting into the space behind Arsenal’s defence. Sanchez rounded Petr Cech and finished from a difficult angle to give United the lead.
It didn’t take long for United to double their lead, and their second goal illustrated their game-plan perfectly. On an offensive transition Lukaku positioned himself excellently near the touchline, far behind Kolasinc, and far wide off Laurent Koscielny. Luke Shaw played the ball into the magic space, and with Lingard coming from behind it was United’s forward trio against Arsenal’s center backs. Lukaku squared the ball back to Lingard who then coolly put the ball into the net.
Ramsey’s lack of roams towards the left side made it easier for Herrera and Young but the Welshman managed to repay his debt before the end of the half. His movement towards the left side in the 42nd minute freed him as Herrera and Young were marking Kolasinac and Iwobi respectively. Ramsey played the ball across the goal for it to fall for Aubameyang who scored easily in-front of an empty net. After the goal Arsenal changed their focus to the right side but they faced United’s left back Luke Shaw whose resilience prevented Aubameyang from creating any goal threat for the rest of the half.
At the start of the second half Arsenal came close to equalize but a fast reflex save from Romero denied Ramsey. An untracked Maitland-Niles found himself in the box, his cross found Ramsey but Romero confirmed his status as the best number two in the country. Ramsey’s roams towards the left side continued, creating 3 v 2 situations but Arsenal failed to create. Partially because United dropped deeper, but mainly due to the presence of Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly. Not to mention Shaw’s movement inside, always one step ahead of Aubameyang.
An injury to Koscielny added one more change to Emery’s planned substitution. Ozil replaced Iwobi as Matteo Guendouzi replaced the injured Koscielny. Xhaka dropped into the back line and Arsenal switched to a 4–2–2–2 with Ozil and Ramsey floating behind the strikers. To neutralize Arsenal’s left side, Solskjaer swapped Lukaku and Lingard to prevent any overload from Arsenal players on this side as Lingard tracked back to support Herrera and Young.
Arsenal continued focusing their attacks down the left side with Kolasinac pumping forward and Guendouzi moving there to support. In addition to Ramsey and Ozil who attacked the left channel. However, Matic dropped into that channel to contain Arsenal’s players as the trio on United’s right side defended the wing.
Arsenal’s rampant attacks created vast spaces in their half for United to counter. The indecisiveness of United on the counter and their poor decision making left them with wasted chances to finish the game. Solskjaer brought on his pacy forwards Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial when the spaces increased. The substitutions paid their dividends as Martial managed to score the third after Pogba’s shot was saved by Cech only for the ball to drop into Martial’s path. 18 minutes were left to play, but the goal mentally finished the game as Arsenal dropped a gear.
Solskjaer’s early plan gave United the lead as Lukaku yet again impressed in a position that frees him and gives him the ability to run at defenders. The quarantine of Arsenal’s attacks was United’s most impressive defensive display in a while. 8 wins in 8 games makes it all unicorn and rainbows for Solskjaer and United. The Norwegian has impressed and is further cementing his place as a contender for the United job. Yet, small sample size studies often produce less conclusive results.
