Wenger gives Sanchez green light for a winter break

Though he would have hoped for more in Saturday’s game, Jose Mourinho remains unbeaten in 14 competitive league and cup matches against Arsene Wenger.

Then there is Saturday’s match at Manchester United, in which Giroud came off the bench to head a wonderful old-fashioned goal and snatch Arsenal a late point that probably felt like more.

“If they declare him capable to play and he declares himself capable to play …” They played as if a goal would be an offensive act, something boorish and not in keeping with their mission which, apparently, was to do as little as possible. We were flawless the way we controlled them, we were so good.

Expected starting XI: Manchester United: De Gea; Darmian, Jones, Rojo, Blind; Carrick, Herrera; Mata, Pogba, Rashford; Rooney. We were very positive in our approach, very aggressive, pressing high, but we were very, very unlucky. “We have done what was expected and we have done it away from home, now we can finish the job at home”.

Wenger has gone for a three-pronged attack that sees Alexis Sanchez play through the middle, Theo Walcott, who has rediscovered his good old form and the mobility and creativity of Mesut Ozil.

By scoring as a substitute, Giroud became Arsenal’s all-time top goalscorer from the bench (10), surpassing super-subs Nicklas Bendtner and Nwankwo Kanu, both on nine.

“But he was checked, you know, before the game”.

“I felt that we had a serious defensive performance but offensively we have played better”.

“That dictates a different style to us as well”. They were well organized.

After the game, given the circumstances that unfolded inside the 90 minutes, the draw felt like a loss for Manchester United supporters while, for Arsenal fans, it felt like a victory. The lack of sales has been significant and now brings the opportunity for Wenger to rotate some of his more important players to maintain their freshness throughout what is a long and arduous season with a stacked schedule. It’s great unity, great resilience and a never-give-up attitude.