Wilshere comes to life under Howe’s watchful eye

After completing his third full Premier League match for Bournemouth at the weekend, Jack Wilshere is finally springing back into life after multiple injury-ridden seasons at the Emirates. Under Eddie Howe’s astute eye, the player has started to impress with the sort of quality and intelligence that marked his emergence onto the football scene eight years ago. With his vision and tireless commitment to the chase, Wilshere proved vital to the Cherries’ first away victory in seven months against Stoke.

But his rehabilitation and resurgence has been a steady process, as Howe admitted. “We worked very hard with him when he first came, in training not to overload him with work and on game-time to ease him into 90 minutes,” the manager said. “We didn’t want to demand too much of him too early. Hopefully we’ve got that balance right and we’re at a stage now where he can tolerate that load. I think the proof is in the pudding in terms of what you see out there.”

Foxes stuck in a rut

While Leicester’s Champions League run continues to keep fans appeased, their woeful domestic form took another turn for the worse as the side were beaten 2-1 by Watford on Sunday. Two early goals, conceded within the opening 30 seconds and then 11 minutes later, highlighted the growing cracks that are beginning to appear in the Leicester defence. Robert Huth looked particularly hesitant and uneasy at times, spending too much time on the ball and inviting unnecessary pressure. Kasper Schmeichel’s dominant presence between the sticks, and the discipline he adds to Leicester’s backline, also remains sorely missed as the ‘keeper recovers from a fractured hand. With confidence at a low, the side need to tighten up or face the prospect of sliding further down the league.

Simpson looks to the sky in frustration during Leicester's defeat (Getty)

Reds defence offers Klopp something to smile about - despite disappointing draw

Billed as one of the games of the weekend, Liverpool’s clash with Southampton at St Mary’s ended in a disappointing draw as both sides failed to break the deadlock. For all the possession they enjoyed – around the 65 per cent mark – Jurgen Klopp’s men lacked the fluency that has defined their previous performances. Nonetheless, the game marked a notable success for the side’s defence who earned their second clean sheet of the season. Saints failed to register a single shot on target as the Red backline remained resolute. Not the result Klopp wanted, but one that proves Liverpool’s defence isn’t quite as porous as assumed.

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United’s failure to convert chances will be their undoing

In their last three matches at Old Trafford, against Stoke, Burnley and now Arsenal, Jose Mourinho’s side have enjoyed the lion’s share of chances. But once again, Manchester United failed to convert this dominance into three points. A late Olivier Giroud goal prompted defender Phil Jones to admit after Saturday’s game that: “It feels like we have been slapped 6-0”. Indeed, the reality was that Giroud’s 89th minute header was Arsenal’s sole attempt on target. In contrast, United registered 12 shots, five of which were on goal, and enjoyed 10 corners to Arsenal’s four. If the club are to stand any chance of competing with this year’s frontrunners, the side desperately needs to overcome this shortcoming. While they may have flashed with potential at times this season, United’s search for rhythm and fluency plods on.

Manchester United vs Arsenal player ratings Show all 22 1 /22 Manchester United vs Arsenal player ratings Manchester United vs Arsenal player ratings David de Gea - 5 A very uncharacteristic error for Mustafi’s opener, bizarrely befuddled by the bounce of the downward header. Somewhat atoned with some typically solid saves in the second half. AFP/Getty Images Manchester United vs Arsenal player ratings Eric Bailly - 6 A welcome returnee who stood up strongly at times. Could perhaps have shepherded youthful cohort Dalot outside him slightly better. Action Images via Reuters Manchester United vs Arsenal player ratings Chris Smalling - 6 Solid in the middle of the defensive three. Getty Images Manchester United vs Arsenal player ratings Marcos Rojo - 5 Regardless of whether it is his own goal or marked as Lacazette’s, a very poor error to allow the Frenchman the chance. REUTERS Manchester United vs Arsenal player ratings Diogo Dalot - 5 Very little impact on the game. One particularly lacklustre moment getting forward from right back but looking lost with so much time, wasting a chance to cross. Sead Kolasinac had some joy down Dalot’s channel. Getty Images Manchester United vs Arsenal player ratings Ander Herrera - 6 Showed alertness to retrieve and cut back for Martial to score, though could have been flagged offside. Combative otherwise. Action Images via Reuters Manchester United vs Arsenal player ratings Nemanja Matic - 7 Broke up play well and set the tone for Manchester United’s performance. A good showing. AFP/Getty Images Manchester United vs Arsenal player ratings Matteo Darmian - 6 Little of note either way. He and Bellerin seemed to cancel each other out, rather. EPA Manchester United vs Arsenal player ratings Jesse Lingard - 6 Took his goal nicely. Quiet elsewhere on a scrappy night. AFP/Getty Images Manchester United vs Arsenal player ratings Anthony Martial - 7 A birthday goal after following up a free kick well, before trudging off injured just after the hour mark. EPA Manchester United vs Arsenal player ratings Marcus Rashford - 6 Hit his free kick nicely to force Leno into the initial save EPA Manchester United vs Arsenal player ratings Bernd Leno - 5 Leno could perhaps have done better with Rashford’s free kick in the lead up to Martial’s leveller, and didn’t cover himself in glory for Lingard’s either. Getty Images Manchester United vs Arsenal player ratings Shkodran Mustafi - 6 A decent header down into the ground for his goal, though a huge helping hand from David De Gea. PA Manchester United vs Arsenal player ratings Sokratis Papastathopoulos - 6 Stout defensively for much of the 90 minutes. EPA Manchester United vs Arsenal player ratings Rob Holding - 5 Stretchered off after 36 minutes with a serious looking injury. Having found some form, a real shame for Arsenal. REUTERS Manchester United vs Arsenal player ratings Hector Bellerin - 6 As mentioned in Darmian’s rating, rather cancelled out. One sliced effort from the edge of the box. AFP/Getty Images Manchester United vs Arsenal player ratings Lucas Torreira - 6 Another spiky performance in midfield. He’s certainly added some much-needed bite, but ought to be careful not to go too far with his destructive duties. AFP Manchester United vs Arsenal player ratings Matteo Guendouzi - 6 Put himself about with energy and physicality. Not as accomplished a performance as we have seen from the young Frenchman, though not overawed by the big occasion by any means. Action Images via Reuters Manchester United vs Arsenal player ratings Lead Kolasinac - 5 An error to allow Lingard to equalise, and consistently wasteful despite often being the extra man over down Arsenal’s left. AP Manchester United vs Arsenal player ratings Aaron Ramsey - 6 Substituted at half time despite bravely trying to continue in real discomfort at the end of the first half. PA Manchester United vs Arsenal player ratings Alex Iwobi - 5 Missing the cutting edge. Plenty of graft, little to show for it. PA Manchester United vs Arsenal player ratings Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 6 Aubameyang will rue missing a good chance from close range in the second half flurry of action. AFP/Getty Images

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