‘VITU KWA GROUND’ - Arsenal fanbase in Kenya won’t let Man United sleep

Nicolas Pepe celebrates scoring against Manchester United in the Premier League [Courtesy]

Arsenal moved up to 10th in the Premier League with 27 points after goals from Nicolas Pepe and Sokratis Papastathopoulos in the first half ensured Mikel Arteta got his first win as coach in the Premier League, dispatching Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night. 

There was a feeling that Arteta would get it over the line this time. 

After collapsing at the late stages against Chelsea, Arteta chose to gamble, for the first time since he started, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Mesut Ozil and Pepe in attack.

After just eight minutes of play, Pepe was at the back post to finish off Sead Kolasinac’s cross, his second goal in the league from open play.

The Gunner’s dominance in the first half ended with reward as Papastathopoulos fired the ball from close range after De Gea punched away Lacazette’s header into a dangerous area. 

Lacklustre Red Devils 

There were no signs of a fightback from Man United, as they struggled to create chances – Arsenal, cutting off their usual game plan, the counter-attack. 

Paul Pogba was missing in action, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the Man United boss confirming that he needed surgery and would be out for a month. 

Solskjaer also admitted that his opponents were the better side on the night. "They were the better team. They were aggressive, they regained the ball and it was hard to get the ball off them," he said. 

Arteta was happy with the performance and applauded his side. 

"I am very pleased with the performance, I'm even more pleased with the result," Everything I wanted to see on the pitch, I saw tonight," said an elated Arteta, with only his first win after 3 games in charge. 

REACTION KWA GROUND – KENYA 

In Kenya, Arsenal fans flooded social media, and as usual, made it clear to their long term rivals Man United. 

Here are some reactions captured on social media.