FA Cup: Arsenal Finally Win at Old Trafford

Arsenal Have Found Ways to Win Big Matches on the Road

The past few seasons, Arsenal’s struggles against the EPL’s heavyweights have been well documented. It’s no secret that the Gunners could attribute much of their recent success to taking care of business of the smaller sides, but ultimately falling hard in matches against those around them in the table, especially away from the Emirates.

Last season, Arsenal dropped matches at Stamford Bridge, Anfield and the Etihad by scorelines of 0-6, 1-5, and 3-6 respectively. In one of Manchester United’s worst home campaigns, the Gunners couldn’t even come away with a point as their former hero, Robin van Persie, scored the lone goal in a 1-0 United win. A crucial match at Goodison that had Champions League implications, until Everton collapsed to finish the season, saw the Toffees easily dispatch of Arsenal 3-0 in early April.

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Pain in the Arsenal

This season, Arsene Wenger seems to have learned from those mistakes and veered away from his stubborn nature. The road fixtures against the “big boys” this season have seen Arsenal drop back into an organized formation in their own half of the pitch. Instead of bombing up and severely exposing their defense, they have taken an approach to defend and catch home sides napping. This is much more possible with the additions of Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck to go along with the pacey Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The Gunners now have the speed to accommodate the vision and passing of Santi Cazorla and Mesut Özil.

The first time this strategy was employed, the Gunners lost at Stamford Bridge 2-0, but the effort was much more composed than last season’s fixture. Wenger stuck to this strategy and went into Anfield with a similar idea. After Liverpool had what seemed to be endless possession, Arsenal found two goals off set pieces that were created on the counter. It took a late Martin Skrtel equalizer to level it for the home side.

Now, with Francis Coquelin as the defensive midfielder, the system is perfect for away fixtures. Despite stumbling to an in-form Tottenham side at White Hart Lane, Arsenal have cleaned house in Manchester in 2015. In January, they traveled to the Etihad and shocked the world by beating the defending champs 2-0. The FA Cup quarterfinal match at Old Trafford also saw a Manchester side, this time United, lead in possession but trail on the scoreboard.

As a matter of fact, Arsenal have been out possessed on 14 occasions in the 2014-15 season, most of them more recently on the road. They have managed to win 10 of those matches, which suggests Arsene Wenger has found a balance in his side and now can employ different strategies at home and away to make the team more successful.

Next: Coquelin and Özil Like New Signings