Downtown between old enemies in the Dream Theater

Manchester United and Arsenal fought with a stubborn 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, and Bruno Fernandes canceled the latest strike by Declan Rice.

Despite Arsenal’s early dominance, the hosts first hit the game leading, before visitors finally broke in the second phase to ask for a stake in points.

Arsenal began bright, controlling possession and holding Manchester United stored in his own half.

The rifles pressed high and dictated the pace, but their efforts failed to turn into clear options. Onana was mostly untreated in the introductory exchange, which is routine savings from the efforts of Martin Odegaard and Mikela Merina.

In the meantime, Manchester United struggled to find a foothold, but remained defensively compact, often returning to a five -month back line to absorb Arsenal’s pressure.

Their plan was clear: Dip possession and hit the counter quickly. However, they were mostly ineffective to the final moments of the first half.

Then, at the time of stopping the first half, United stunned Arsenal. Alejandro Garnacho won a free kick 25 meters from the goal after Leandro Trossard knocked him down. Upstairs, Fernandes stepped up, who had drawn an exalted effort over the wall and beyond the reach of Ray into the net.

Somehow … points are shared 😳⚖️#RMENC || #Munari

– Manchester United (@manuutd) March 9, 2025

It was the first United shot on the target and a moment of pure quality, sending them in a break with an unexpected leadership.

Dressed with their goal, Manchester United started the second half with multiple intentions. Garnacho proved to be a vibrant presence, often getting his full back and forcing Raya into action.

The Argentine created a golden opportunity for the Noussair Mazouii, whose volley from the close corner kept goalkeeper Arsenal.

Arsenal, however, slowly returned in the game. They continued to push forward, forcing the artillery on speculative efforts from afar. Odegaard approached, shooting a strong strike that onana acrobatically rolled over the bar.

The persistence of the visitors finally paid off in the 74th minute. Jurrien Timber, who was a constant threat to the right, was dribbling two defenders and cut the ball back to the edge of the box. Rice met him for the first time, hitting a sweet hit that flew past onan and outside the post. The goal was nothing less than Arsenal deserved and set a tense final period.

In the last 15 minutes, both teams encouraged the winner. Garnacho skipped a crossbow strike, while Fernandes saw a goal-shaped effort that Raya swallowed dramatically in a time of stop. At the other end, Martinelli tested the onan fierce shooting near the post, but the United guard was equal.

In the end, neither side could find the second goal, and it was the downtown between the two biggest football clubs.