Three things we learned: Manchester United 2-1 Arsenal

Manchester United managed to clinch a 2-1 win over a much-weakened Arsenal side in the Premier League on Sunday. The game was evenly contested despite the multiple changes made by the visitors, and United had to wait until injury-time to scramble a victory via a Marouane Fellaini header.

Three things we learned:
Henrikh Mkhitaryan makes his mark: Mkhitaryan did not have a fond time at Manchester United under Jose Mourinho but since his Gunners switch, he has found a fresh level of impetus to his gameplay. The Armenian has unquestionably been offered more room to operate in the forward department and he could not have written a better script as he scored on his Old Trafford return. Mkhitaryan lasted just over an hour on his comeback from a knee injury and he could have a key role to play in the Gunners’ Europa League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid.
Marouane Fellaini nearing an extension: Fellaini’s future has been a topic of speculation in recent weeks with his contract due to expire in two months’ time. However, following his match-winning goal against Arsenal, Mourinho highlighted that the Belgium international could have a future beyond the summer with contract talks seemingly at an advanced stage. Fellaini has not always been adored by the United faithful because of his gingerly movements on the field but he has proved an effective backup from the bench where his aerial prowess has witnessed him being a set-piece threat.
Arsenal’s season could make or break next month: Gunners boss Arsene Wenger had admitted that he would be making multiple changes to his starting lineup and there were no surprises during the Old Trafford defeat. Nevertheless, there were lot of positives with young pairing Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Konstantinos Mavropanos putting in top-notch performances. The north London club now have an Europa League semi-final return leg against Atleti on Thursday night and they need to find a way of scoring against Diego Simeone’s side if they are to progress into the final of the competition. Arsenal are already out of contention for a top-four spot and their Champions League prospects are now entirely reliant on them lifting the Europa League crown.

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