Olivier Giroud’s late header secured Arsenal a point as Arsene Wenger’s side drew 1-1 with Manchester United.
Juan Mata’s second-half strike meant Jose Mourinho’s side were set to make it back-to-back wins for the first time since August, but the substitute put his side back on level terms with a minute left on the clock.
After a close and uneventful first half, the hosts took the lead when the Spanish playmaker met Ander Herrera’s ball across the box, brilliantly controlling a shot to beat Petr Cech.
Then as it looked to be heading for another home win, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – who had only been on the field for five minutes – dropped his shoulder to beat Matteo Darmian before brilliantly crossing for the French forward to head home.
Arsenal go up a place to third, while United stay in sixth place.
Mourinho and Wenger, who have endured such a tempestuous relationship over the years, shook hands at the start and end of a topsy-turvy match.
Late challenges and intelligent defending restricted both teams from open play early on, with set-pieces looking their best bet.
Mata curled a left-footed free-kick wide for United and Alexis Sanchez somehow managed to direct a close-range header away from goal and team-mate Aaron Ramsey’s reach.
It was a glaring miss from a player whose movement and endeavour was proving a nuisance, although the Chilean – who had been a doubt after a hamstring complaint – was left on thin ice after a clumsy challenge on Ander Herrera resulted in a yellow card.
Darmian joined him in referee Andre Marriner’s notebook as play became edgy and increasingly disjointed, with the United full-back perhaps fortunate not to pick up a second yellow card after catching Carl Jenkinson in the 33rd minute.
The officials were coming under increasing scrutiny as the first half wore to a close, with Mourinho apoplectic after his team’s penalty claims were ignored.
Valencia flicked the ball through Nacho Monreal’s legs and went down under pressure from the Arsenal defender, but Marriner waved away his appeal to the chagrin of the Old Trafford faithful.
Petr Cech’s reactions prevented frustration quickly turning to elation when Mata made space and got away a low shot destined for the bottom corner.
The Arsenal goalkeeper turned that behind and again had to be alert four minutes before the break, tipping away an Anthony Martial attempt before comfortably denying the Frenchman from the resulting corner.
The Portuguese’s side restarted brightly as Martial and Michael Carrick had scuffed efforts, and a blocked Marcus Rashford shot drew claims from the Stretford End that a penalty should have been given for handball against Shkodran Mustafi.
As the chances began to dry up, and Phil Jones denied Laurent Koscielny getting a close-range header away, Mourinho plumped for substitute Rooney, with Martial going off and Rashford pushed wide.
It added an extra edge and coolness as United looked to make the breakthrough, with that hard work paying off in the 68th minute.
Pogba played in the overlapping Herrera, whose intelligent cutback was met by a first-time strike by Mata to send the crowd wild.
The Spaniard was booked for celebrating with the crowd, before Marcos Rojo’s powerful header went close to doubling United’s lead.
Toothless Arsenal looked set for defeat, only to catch United cold in the dying stages.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain darted all too easily past Rashford and sent in a cross that Giroud converted to shock Old Trafford.
–
Source: Talksport