Arsenal and Manchester United both failed to bounce back from disappointing results as they played out a 0-0 Premier League draw at the Emirates Stadium.
With Manchester City not in action, the Gunners missed the chance to climb back to the top of the table, while the result leaves the Red Devils 11 points adrift of fourth.
It was United's former Arsenal striker Robin van Persie who had the best goalscoring opportunities of the match, but on both occasions, he was denied by home goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.
Below, Sports Mole analyses whether the result was reflective of the action in London.
Match statistics
Arsenal
Shots: 17
On target: 5
Possession: 57%
Corners: 5
Fouls: 10
Man United
Shots: 6
On target: 2
Possession: 43%
Corners: 5
Fouls: 14
Was the result fair?
It probably was, in the sense that neither side did enough to win the game. The Gunners pressed for a winner in the final stages, but previously lacked ambition and innovation. On the other hand, it was United who had the two best chances of the match through Van Persie, but they rarely threatened otherwise.
Arsenal's performance
Their attacking play was a bit one dimensional. Passing between their attacking midfielders in central areas was not very potent at all. They had a bit more joy when they went out wide, with Olivier Giroud competing well with Nemanja Vidic from crosses delivered from both flanks. Pace was the vital ingredient missing from their forward ventures, and they could have troubled United's suspect full-backs if Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had started, or Theo Walcott had been fit. Jack Wilshere took a few knocks throughout and seemed a little off the pace after dazzling the Emirates with an early dribble, while Mesut Ozil underwhelmed in the big game again. Their centre-backs did not have a great deal to do, but Szczesny behind them pulled off a couple of vital saves when called upon. They will need to improve if they are to challenge for trophies this season, and quickly, looking at their fixture list.
Man United's performance
This was a steady performance from David Moyes's side, but one lacking a real cutting edge and, like their opponents, a bit of ambition. Their attacking trio of Van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata combined promisingly on a couple of occasions but with no end product. Michael Carrick did a good job of breaking up Arsenal attacks and shielded his defence well. Their attack-minded full-backs were pinned back for most of the game, but their defensive frailties were never really tested as the Gunners did not play with natural wingers. Vidic versus Giroud was the battle of the evening and the Serbian won more than his fair share of the aerial duels. David de Gea kept his concentration to twice deny Santi Cazorla late on.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Wojciech Szczesny:
There was a distinct lack of quality on show from a set of outfield players that could light up the grandest stage on their best days. The two best performances came from the respective goalkeepers, and it was Szczesny who was the pick of them. The Pole only had two saves to make, but they were both very good ones and came at important times. His 80th-minute tip onto the crossbar from Van Persie's header was an absolutely superb reflex stop. Maybe his teammates will now stop touting his place to Hugo Lloris.
Biggest gaffe
Whether it is Mikel Arteta for being dispossessed on the edge of his own box or Van Persie for blowing the resultant chance, the major mistakes happened in a second-minute incident during which United should have taken the lead. Arteta dwelled on the ball allowing his former teammate to pinch it from him, but the Dutchman sent a tame shot into the arms of Szczesny. They can share this award between them.
Referee performance
Mark Clattenburg is an experienced official who has refereed games between the top teams on many occasions. He will rarely have had quieter nights. Seldom will you have seen a fixture between these two sides finish without a hint of drama or controversy, and Clattenburg will be thankful for that.
What next?
Arsenal: What a big week this is for the Gunners. They host Liverpool in the FA Cup fifth round on Sunday, and then welcome holders Bayern Munich in the Champions League three days later.
Man United: After being knocked out of the biggest domestic cup by Swansea City, United have the weekend off and will go searching for a first win in four when they entertain Crystal Palace next Saturday.
Joe Fish
