Arsenal, United keep each other in check

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea (L) and Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic (C) defend a goal attempt by Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud (R). (AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL) 

Both teams had suffered damaging results at the weekend, Arsenal crashing 5-1 at Liverpool and United drawing 2-2 at home to bottom club Fulham, and the tentativeness on either side made for a game of only sporadic excitement.

Robin van Persie came closest to scoring for United, spurning an excellent early chance and later hitting the crossbar with a header, while Arsenal centre-back Laurent Koscielny had a header cleared of the line.

Arsenal would have gone top of the table with victory, but the draw left Arsene Wenger's side a point behind Chelsea in second place.

"The title race is absolutely open for many teams," said Wenger.

"Overall, we could have won it. It was a game of few chances. Our defensive focus was extreme as we conceded so many goals on Saturday. In the end, either side could have won 1-0."

The result also had costly ramifications for United, who fell 11 points below fourth-place Liverpool in the race for Champions League football after the Merseyside club won 3-2 at Fulham.

"We have a lot of catching up to do. We have to win games and keep plugging away," said United manager David Moyes.

"I am pleased, but I wanted all three points. Arsenal are having a great season, so it is not a bad draw for us.

"The last couple of games we have had Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie back. The record with the two of them has been very good."

Former Arsenal striker Van Persie was playing at the Emirates for the second time as a United player and his old team-mates gifted him a huge opportunity within seconds of kick-off.

Van Persie was allowed to creep up behind Mikel Arteta and steal possession from the Spaniard, but with only Wojciech Szczesny to beat he drove a tame low shot into the Arsenal goalkeeper's arms.

In response, Jack Wilshere had a shot blocked by Chris Smalling after a weaving run, with Olivier Giroud heading over from the ensuing corner, while Tomas Rosicky saw a deflected effort saved by David de Gea.

With Antonio Valencia replacing Ashley Young for United, the champions deployed Juan Mata on the left flank. The club's record signing teed up Van Persie with a pass down the inside-left channel, only for the Dutchman to shoot wastefully wide.

Giroud continued to dominate United captain Nemanja Vidic in the air, but he was unable to find the target with a succession of headers.

The French striker was also involved in a collision with Rafael da Silva that saw the United full-back land awkwardly on his neck. After soldiering on until half-time, the Brazilian gave way for Rio Ferdinand.

A war of attrition took hold early in the second period, with neither side able to fashion a chance as attacks foundered on imprecise passes and niggly fouls.

The home fans almost had something to shout about in the 62nd minute, but although Koscielny's glancing header from a right-wing corner beat the diving De Gea, Valencia was on hand to head the ball off the line.

Both managers made changes with 15 minutes remaining -- Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain entering the fray for Arsenal and Adnan Januzaj taking Mata's place for United.

The game belatedly came to life in the closing stages, as both sides looked to snatch victory.

Giroud was unable to make telling contact with an inviting centre from Bacary Sagna, before Van Persie saw a header from a Wayne Rooney cross brilliantly turned onto the bar at the other end by Szczesny.

Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla had two late attempts to claim a winner, but on each occasion he was thwarted by Spanish countryman De Gea.