It's 1-0 Manchester United after 45 minutes at Old Trafford, the hosts having slightly better of the play in the first half. Neither team has created many chances, but Manchester United, generating a goal, a few half-chances without ever seeing Edwin van der Sar threatened, has been the better side.
Manchester United Vs. Arsenal, Halftime Update: Reviewing Our Five Key Match-Ups
Before the game, we identified five match-ups to look for today. For our halftime update, let’s evaluate how those match-ups are playing out.
Samir Nasri vs. Darren Fletcher - This battle hasn't played out, and it's unclear why Arsene Wenger isn't letting it happen. Samir Nasri has resumed his accustomed role on the right side, a place he plays when Cesc Fàbregas is in the team. But Fàbregas was on the bench for the first half. Yet, Nasri has played predominantly on the right. As a result, Nasri's seen very little of the ball, and Fletcher hasn't had to neutralize Arsenal's best player.
Nani vs. Gaël Clichy - Big win for United here, as Nani’s ability to beat Clichy and create the ball that led to Park’s goal is the difference in the match. Clichy should have tried to stand-up Nani when the Portuguese winger took possession, high on the right, 35-yards up the pitch. Instead, Nani was able to back Clichy into the Arsenal area, where even service off his bad foot could create a goal.
Andrei Arshavin vs. Rafael - The few times this match-up has played out, Rafael has acquitted himself well, though in one spell of possession early in the first half, Arshavin was able to carry the ball from left-to-center and drag Rafael along with him. With Arshavin dribbling 40 yards from goal, Rafael perhaps should have let Arshavin go. A huge space opened up as a result. Arsenal, however, has only been able to get Clichy forward once, otherwise unable to test United's right back.
Marouane Chamakh vs. Rio Ferdinand/Nemanja Vidic - Arsenal has not seen enough possession to meaningfully test United's ability to match-up with Chamakh; however, the one time the Gunners tried to string together short passes at the edge of the United area, Vidic destroyed the play.
Dimitar Berbatov vs. Sebastien Squillaci/Laurent Koscielny - As we hinted in the original piece, Berbatov started on the bench. While some may question Ferguson's exclusion of his leading scorer, United's early pressure set the tone in the match, pressure the Red Devils would not have been able to apply with Berbatov.
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