Graeme Souness: Arsenal lacked ambition in draw with Manchester United
Sunday 20 November 2016 08:05, UK
Graeme Souness was disappointed by Arsenal's cautious approach during their 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Saturday.
Olivier Giroud's 89th-minute header salvaged a point for the Gunners at Old Trafford, cancelling out Juan Mata's opener.
Souness said Arsenal, who scored with their only effort on target, have reason to take positives considering they battled back for a draw, but felt they could have been more expansive.
When asked if he believed Arsene Wenger's side lacked ambition, the Sky Sports pundit said: "Yes, when you think about the results they had coming into the game and the firepower they have within the team.
"I felt from the very start - whether it was a game-plan to sit in and see what United had to offer - but a 0-0 or 1-1, any draw in fact, and Arsenal were going to be happy with that.
"They will be going back down south really happy with themselves because they dug out a result scoring in the last few minutes. That always gives you a good feeling over the weekend.
"But they didn't put a marker down. They didn't turn up at one of the big stadiums against one of their historic rivals and say, 'We are the team on form, you are not on form and we are going to show you how good we are.'
"They didn't do that today. They will think it's a good point but I was looking for them to come here and show us how good they are, putting a marker down."
Former United midfielder Ryan Giggs was also in the Sky Sports studio, and said his old team were superior on the day.
"It's disappointing from a Man Utd perspective," Giggs said. "They were by far the better team.
"They weren't brilliant but there was only one team that was going to win that game. They looked dangerous, especially down the right-hand side.
"Antonio Valencia was very good, and Juan Mata and Ander Herrera have got that understanding, and that's where the goal came from."
