Manchester United and Arsenal served up a Sunday afternoon treat at the weekend. A throwback to the good old days; High tempo, high quality, controversy.
United eventually ran out 3-1 winners, with the scoreline only telling half the tale of an action packed affair at Old Trafford.
Flashpoints including Martin Odegaard’s foul on Christian Eriksen, leading to a VAR review cancelling out a potential Arsenal opener and an ugly looking challenge from Sambi Lokonga that left Bruno Fernandes in a heap. These have been discussed at length – with conclusions depending on the side of the fence you’re sitting on.
An incident that hasn’t received much attention however, is an apparent kick out at Lisandro Martinez, from Gabriel Jesus.
🎥 | معليش يا مارتينيز ما قدروا عليك وصاروا يضربونك معليش 🔴❤️ pic.twitter.com/TRHLruAGjj
— FAISAL (@Faisal_R_K) September 5, 2022
Eagle-eyed footage shows the Arenal forward kicking the back of Martinez’s legs in the United penalty area, late in the first half.
Jesus provided the United centre backs with a real test throughout the afternoon but can consider himself fortunate the VAR didn’t spot the petulant swipe, during the game.
Martinez’s aggressive style will no doubt get under the skin of Premier League strikers who are finding the Argentine’s ‘take no prisoners’ approach too much to handle, at times.
Shows of frustration were apparent for the majority of the game from the Arsenal players, who felt they were on the wrong end of refereeing decisions, despite the reprieves of the aforementioned incidents and a poor late tackle from Bukayo Saka on Tyrell Malacia also going unpunished.
Maybe the frustration would be better placed within, as in spite of dominating the ball for 20 mins either side of half time, Mikel Arteta’s men left Manchester with nothing, due to the ruthlessness of Ten Hag’s new look United.
Ten Hag will be delighted on how his new signings have settled, Martinez in particular whose infectious attitude and commitment is setting the tone for the upturn in form at Old Trafford.
United kick on with a fourth straight league win, closing the gap on league leaders Arsenal to three points.
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