Bruno Fernandes has openly acknowledged that Manchester United employed a counter-attacking strategy against Arsenal. This admission raises the question of whether countering is the most effective way to overcome Mikel Arteta’s possession-oriented Arsenal side.

In the lead-up to their recent match, it was clear that Manchester United recognized the challenge of matching Arsenal’s ball control directly. Fernandes implies that their game plan involved allowing Arsenal to dominate possession and then capitalizing on counter-attacks. Unfortunately, this strategy didn’t go as planned, with Arsenal posing significant challenges and ultimately emerging victorious with a 3-1 win, including two goals in extra time.

Reflecting on the loss to Arsenal, Fernandes commented on Sky Sports, “It’s always tough to lose a game the way we did. I saw a team with tremendous fighting spirit. We conceded a late goal (by Jesus) while trying to equalize, and then we conceded another. Whether you lose by one or two goals doesn’t matter; you need to produce results.”

Fernandes acknowledged Arsenal’s strengths, stating, “They have a strong team that plays well and caused us many problems. It would have been beneficial if Garnacho’s goal wasn’t ruled offside; it could have shifted the outcome in our favor. I believe it was a good contest for both teams, but they ultimately secured the points.”

He also noted the balance in the game, with Arsenal enjoying spells of possession. Manchester United’s intention was to let Arsenal control the ball while planning to exploit counter-attacking opportunities, leveraging the quality of their players when breaking behind the opposition’s defense.

Arsenal’s victory over Manchester United was crucial to maintain their hopes in the title race. While it may be early to discuss the title race, staying within 5 points of league leaders Manchester City and avoiding a loss to Manchester United was vital to relieve early-season pressure.

By maintaining a 2-point gap, Arsenal keeps their title aspirations alive, and their future matches, particularly against top rivals like Manchester City, will determine their fate in the race for the championship.