Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has admitted to BBC Sport that Arsenal’s tactics surprised him yesterday.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta deployed a 3-4-3 system which completely cancelled out United’s midfield diamond.
With Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny in midfield, Arsenal were able to get great pressure on to United’s more creative players.
And Pogba admits that he was shocked to be marked so tightly by the Gunners.
“We didn’t expect to be man for man, me and Bruno,” he said.
“But after that we can still adapt. We can find a solution.
“Details made the win for Arsenal today. They were in shape and waiting for us to make the mistake. With the ball we weren’t that good. We have to do better.”
Arteta really masterminded Arsenal’s success yesterday, as Ole Gunner Solskjaer just couldn’t find a way to respond to his tactics.
Despite the success of the diamond formation in midweek, Arsenal were perfectly set up to counter it, and looked the better side for much of the contest.
Their goal from Pierre Emerick Aubameyang was well deserved when it came, with Pogba giving away the penalty which ultimately led to the winner.
Arsenal have now pushed up to ninth place in the Premier League table, with their next league match coming against Aston Villa.
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