After halftime adjustments, Arsenal's form clearly improved.
They started the second half with solid and steady defense, leaving no openings for Man United.
Seeing no suitable opportunities, Man United gradually reduced their attacking intensity.
With Man United currently leading by two goals, maintaining possession was the sensible approach, with no need to take excessive risks by attempting breakthroughs.
But Unai Emery certainly couldn't just accept defeat.
Whether it was him or the Arsenal players, facing the Man United team that had once ended their famous 49-match unbeaten streak, they wouldn't lack the spirit to give their all.
Moreover, Arsène Wenger was watching them from the stands.
Looking at the Arsenal players on the pitch, Héctor Bellerín and Aaron Ramsey were both young players nurtured by Wenger.
"Push forward! Don't just play safe passes at the back!" Ramsey shouted to his teammates while tirelessly making runs to receive the ball.
When Ramsey was only 17, he became the most hyped young player in English football, with both Sir Alex Ferguson and Wenger extending offers to him.
At that time, Man United had just been crowned Premier League champions and had star players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.
Plus, Ramsey's father was a Man United fan, so everyone thought he would choose Man United.
But he received a personal call from Wenger, who spoke to him about dreams. Ultimately, Ramsey surprisingly chose Arsenal, and unknowingly ten years had passed.
He had transformed from a young prospect into Arsenal's captain.
In a 2010 match, he was maliciously tackled by Ryan Shawcross, resulting in a horrific broken leg that sidelined him for nine months.
From then on, his dribbling posture and touch frequency were affected, destined not to become Arsenal's absolute midfield core.
But at least his defensive effort was unquestionable. Ramsey rubbed his thigh and continued running.
Jim Beglin: "Similar to Frank Lampard, Ramsey possesses considerable attacking attributes from midfield. In the 13-14 season, he even achieved the incredible statistic of 9 goals in 8 matches."
Peter Drury: "A magnificent engine in the middle of the park. Arsenal's pressing in the final third is intense right now, but the issue is that neither Henrikh Mkhitaryan nor Ramsey excel in raw physical duels. Meanwhile, Nemanja Matić and Ander Herrera are both robust defensive midfielders, making it difficult for Arsenal's attacks to yield results."
When the match reached the 63rd minute, Emery finally made a substitution.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan looked at the LED board held by the fourth official, paused briefly in silence, then quickly walked toward the touchline.
He knew his performance today had been unsatisfactory.
Number 17 replaced number 7.
Alex Iwobi came on.
Peter Drury: "Mkhitaryan makes way. It hasn't been his finest afternoon returning to Old Trafford. And here comes Alex Iwobi. Iwobi stands 183cm tall and weighs 78kg. Fans have nicknamed his unique running and dribbling style 'Military Boxing'!"
Jim Beglin: "The reason is that during dribbling and defending, his hand movements strangely resemble boxing! Actually, I think Emery should have started Iwobi today. Emery probably wanted to sneak an early goal at the start with Mkhitaryan's creativity, but who could have predicted their defensive line would be so weak, allowing Man United to score two goals in succession."
Although Iwobi has numerous shortcomings, such as frequently being beaten for pace, losing his marker, and being overpowered by explosive forwards, he brought something different.
"Iwobi has indeed made a positive impact since coming on, as he can hold up the ball under physical pressure, ensuring stability in Arsenal's frontline attacks," Jim Beglin analyzed.
"His defensive contributions are also notable, providing an additional layer of protection for Arsenal."
Soon, Mourinho also made a substitution, bringing on Luke Shaw for Ashley Young.
As the latter was already 33 and had just signed a two-year contract, it was best to use him sparingly.
This straightforward like-for-like substitution held little tactical intent, as Man United continued with their first-half approach.
Arsenal stuck to their old routine as well.
They built attacks through passing combinations from the wings, frequently linking up with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
And Aubameyang was cunning.
Whenever he received a pass from a teammate, he would drive the ball toward the right, aiming to exploit Harry Maguire's lack of agility and burst past Man United's defense with his speed.
Maguire gradually felt the pressure and could only shout for Herrera to provide support.
But this left a gap in Man United's left defensive channel.
In the 73rd minute of the match.
Iwobi received the ball, flailing his arms as if performing his trademark "Military Boxing," shook off Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and accelerated straight toward Man United's penalty area!
The Arsenal players in the attacking third surged forward with frantic movement!
In the VIP box, Wenger rose to his feet, anxiously watching the players on the pitch, as if wanting to issue instructions.
But he suddenly remembered he was merely a spectator now and silently sat back down.
Man United's defense remained composed, with David Luiz stepping up aggressively to confront Iwobi.
Maguire and Luke Shaw marked Ramsey and Bellerín.
Iwobi had no intention of holding onto the ball, cleanly flicking it with the outside of his boot!
Smack!
The ball curved in a wide arc, flying from the center of the penalty area toward the right side!
Peter Drury: "A brilliant pass from Iwobi! Aubameyang is rapid! He's outpaced Maguire from the blind side! This is the true essence of the Gabonese God Striker!"
Every eye in the stadium was fixed on the spinning ball.
Maguire glanced at Aubameyang, wanting to accelerate and overtake him but unable to.
Now he had only two choices.
First, bet that David De Gea could save Aubameyang's impending shot.
Second, slide in and bet that he wouldn't kick the ball into his own net.
Maguire gritted his teeth and threw his massive body forward!
He would rather make a mistake trying than do nothing.
Because inaction would bring him shame—his teammates were fighting tooth and nail for victory, while he shirked the responsibility he ought to bear.
His massive body closed the remaining distance and the ball struck the tip of Maguire's outstretched left foot.
Smack!
A crisp sound echoed.
Maguire's heart sank to the depths.
He lay on the turf, staring blankly at the ball still spinning inside the back of his own net.
Old Trafford fell silent for a few seconds before being overtaken by the ecstatic cheers of the traveling Arsenal fans.
Peter Drury: "OH NO! A CALAMITY FOR MAGUIRE! He slices it into his own net! With less than 20 minutes remaining, Maguire makes error! Rather clumsy, to say the least! Arsenal have a lifeline!"
Jim Beglin: "Let's take a look at the replay of this goal, Peter. Oh, Maguire's choice wasn't entirely wrong there. De Gea was positioned too centrally—if Aubameyang had shot near post, De Gea might not have reacted in time! He had to try and clear it."
But the Manchester United fans at the stadium weren't having it, unleashing piercing noisy boos and even making hand gestures toward their own defender.
Aubameyang stepped over Maguire lying on the ground, fished the ball out of the net and ran back to his own half.
The Arsenal players' morale instantly ignited.
Though there wasn't much time left, in football, a goal sometimes only takes seconds.
They might equalize before the 80th minute, or even take the lead!
As Ramsey ran back, he waved toward the away stands, urging the fans to cheer louder!
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