Carrick’s Revolution: My Verdict on Beating Arsenal at the Emirates
This was always going to be one of the most difficult games of our season. We were playing the most in-form team, the most disciplined team, and probably the best midfield in Europe in Arsenal.
Going to Arsenal away right after playing City at home is a nightmare schedule. I saw the lineup and noticed we went with an unchanged team. I have no problem with consistency, but I’ll be honest with you. If Mazraoui is back, I was expecting him to start over Dalot. Dalot was horrendous recently, but it is what it is. We had to roll with it.
I actually wanted to watch this down at the pub. I went down there, but it was absolutely packed. No room to move. So I ended up watching at home. To be fair, I was just as excited and pumped sitting on my sofa as I would have been with a pint in my hand.
I really felt confident with this squad. My only worry was Casemiro looking a bit slow and Dalot making me doubtful at the back. Other than that, I felt we could get a result.
The First Half Struggles
I had a feeling we would sit back. I knew Arsenal would have all the possession and we would try to hit back on the counter. But right away, in the first 3 minutes, it felt like we were getting caught on a high line.
After 10 minutes, we settled into sitting back like I expected. Arsenal had a couple of corners, but they didn’t feel like a real threat. The issue was us. I don’t think we completed a single final third pass in those early stages. We got dispossessed in midfield around the 15th minute, and Arsenal created a chance, but we defended it well.
It felt like it could be a draw, but we were getting played like kids in midfield. I expected that. When they have Rice, Zubimendi, and Odegaard conducting everything, it is going to be hard.
Then came a huge moment. Lammens made an amazing save. It was a Declan Rice set piece headed by Zubimendi. Lammens had a very fast reaction. It kept us in it.
But we were literally so clueless in the final third whenever we got the chance. The first 20 minutes were totally dominated by Arsenal. They had 4 corners already.
Then came the 29th minute. Hincapie crossed it to Saka. Saka pinged a chip to Odegaard inside the box. He passed it, or maybe took a shot, I don’t know. Timber took a touch and it’s 1-0 to Arsenal. It was a total pinball goal. It went down as an own goal for Lisandro Martinez. It could have been defended better by Martinez, not going to lie. It was strange because I thought Timber got the touch, but it was an own goal.
The Turning Point
Weirdly, after the Arsenal goal, we started to have more openings.
Then, a gift. Zubimendi gave away a bad pass. Mbeumo jumped on it. He fakes the goalkeeper and equalises! 1-1. The game was back on. You could feel the nerves from Arsenal after that. They started being very conservative.
My only criticism at that point was that United were ball watching a lot. Why are we ball watching? We needed to show intent to win second balls.
Halftime 1-1. I take that. Not going to lie.
The Second Half Magic
Five minutes after half time, we looked more confident. Then, at the 50th minute, I just couldn’t believe it. Bruno somehow managed to set up Dorgu. Dorgu took an amazing, fast, pacey shot from outside the box. It hit the crossbar and went in. What a goal. 2-1 to United.
From 50 to 60 minutes, we played decent. We played more freely. Arteta had to make 4 changes because this is important for their title fight. If the scores stayed the same, they would only be 4 points in the lead. City would benefit a lot if we won this.
At 62 minutes, we still only had 30 percent possession. Nothing much happening, but the scoreline was just so good.
Cunha came on for Mbeumo at the 69th minute. We played well in their box but didn’t create much. By 73 minutes, I felt we could really stay put on this lead.
Then a blow. Dorgu pulled his hamstring at the 80th minute while trying to push up. Sesko came on for him.
The Late Drama
82nd minute. Arsenal corner. Of course, Arsenal scores from a scrappy corner. 2-2. Such a shame. We had to do it all again with 5 minutes plus additional time left.
But then… OMG Cunha. What a goal. Cunha got an opening outside the box and finessed it into the bottom right corner. What a goal! 90+7 additional time and United were leading by one goal. I just hoped we defended with our lives.
We were at 95 minutes. Two more minutes to just defend and get the deserving points. A win at the Emirates would be such a big thing.
Martinez made a good late sliding tackle to clear the ball. 96:25 on the clock. Half a minute remaining. We could definitely get these important points.
Gyokeres got a late shot. He bullied Martinez a bit, but his last shot was very bad. Surely that is it? We were well over 97 minutes. Then, at the 98th minute, the whistle went. United win!
The Verdict
A win at the Emirates is really crazy to think of. I was expecting a draw or even a loss. But the way we won the game, we deserved the points. Especially those two wonder goals from Dorgu and Cunha.
With these wins, the Amorim sack just makes more sense. We have a good squad. If a new manager utilises it well, things can move positively. I feel Carrick in these two games has shown a lot. He should be given a midfield signing because it is indeed very important.
Also, the funny thing is Carrick got back-to-back Premier League wins beating City and Arsenal at the Emirates in his first two games in charge. That is just wild when you think how long Amorim took to get going. Up the Reds!
UNITED SCRIPTED. 
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