Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists his side’s draw at Manchester United was crucial to their chances of finishing in the Premier League top three.
Tyler Blackett’s late own goal was enough to hand Arsenal a share of the spoils and their first point at Old Trafford in six years as they stayed two points ahead of Manchester United in third.
Ander Herrera fires Manchester United ahead on the volley despite the attempts of Alexis Sanchez to get back and prevent his shot
Herrera celebrates his first-half goal as United took a deserved lead against a lacklustre Arsenal side at Old Trafford
Marouane Fellaini (left) and Ashley Young (right), who both played a part in the build-up to the goal, celebrate with Herrera
Theo Walcott crosses, and the ball is deflected off the unfortunate Tyler Blackett to bring Arsenal level at Old Trafford
Walcott celebrates his late impact off the bench, although there was a large element of luck to the Gunners' equaliser
And Wenger hailed his side’s response after they battled back from trailing to Ander Herrera’s first-half strike.
“It was important today to not let Manchester United get in front of us, even if we have a game in hand,” Wenger told Sky Sports.
“Mentally it was important for us not to lose two games and to come back in a game like that.
“Second-half it was all us and we’ve shown a great response. Man United had a good start and were a bit sharper than us.
“I believe in the second-half we took over and dominated the game. We had the chances to win it.”
Arsenal failed to manage a single shot in the first half - the first time in a single half of a Premier League match they had failed to do so since November 2004.
And when asked what that was down to, Wenger replied: “I believe we lost too many balls. We were too stretched in the middle of the park.
“We were not compact enough and we needed to be more incisive with our passing and more on the front foot.
“Physically, United dropped in the second-half and our energy levels took over.”
Wenger also praised the impact of substitutes Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere as the former played a key part in Arsenal’s late equaliser.
“I have a squad of 25 players who can play at the top level," the Frenchman said. “Unfortunately you can only start 11.
“Theo is sharper now. People forget he has been out for a year and Jack has not played since November. But when Jack and Theo came on on today they had a positive impact.”
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