Arsenal strengthened their hopes of securing an automatic Champions League qualification berth by earning a 1-1 draw away at Manchester United.
Theo Walcott's strike in the final 10 minutes, which took a heavy deflection off substitute Tyler Blackett on its way through, helped cancel out Ander Herrera's first-half opener at Old Trafford.
A flat opening 45 minutes was followed up by a far more entertaining second period, with both sides creating chances but ultimately not doing enough to win the contest as the Gunners remained two points ahead of their rivals in third place.
Relive how the contest unfolded with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
2pmHello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Premier League meeting between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford.
2.02pmUnlike in past encounters between these two sides, there is no league title or major silverware of any king on the line this afternoon, but with the battle to land a top-three spot heating up - and an automatic path into the Champions League that comes with it - there is still plenty to play for heading into today's showdown.
2.04pmArsenal head into the game sitting two points above their great rivals in the Premier League table, meaning that the pressure is on United to pick up a victory this afternoon in order to keep their automatic Champions League qualification hopes alive. The Gunners also still have a game in hand to play over the sides around them later this week, so it is they who are in the strongest position right now.
2.06pmResults elsewhere this weekend ensure that the Red Devils will finish in the top four this season regardless of the outcome of today's match, while Arsenal still harbour hopes of finishing in second place. If they are to do that, they must overhaul a Manchester City side who are currently leading 1-0 away at Swansea City.
2.08pmUpdates from that clash in South Wales will be provided throughout the course of the afternoon, but our attention is now firmly fixed on events at Old Trafford. The anticipation levels may not be as high as in previous meetings between the two, but we should hopefully still witness an entertaining game of football between two of English football's heavyweight sides.
2.10pmArsenal head into the game looking to bounce back from their surprise home defeat against Swansea last Monday, which halted what has otherwise been a hugely successful year in terms of Premier League results. The Gunners just could not stop winning at one stage, with only a strong Chelsea side eventually being able to put an end to their victorious streak to dent any hopes the North London club had of lifting the league title.
2.12pmIt seemed bizarre to talk about Arsenal even challenging for the title following a slow start to the season, which has ultimately cost them in the long run. A place in the top three, combined with FA Cup success later this month, will make this a successful term, though, with the hope of mounting a push for the league crown next time out firmly on the agenda.
2.14pmHowever, some realism is needed. So often Arsenal supporters see their side string together an impressive run of form to see out the season on a high, but it is never followed up by a title charge the following year which lasts the duration of the campaign. Arsene Wenger's men led the way for so long last season before drifting away right when it mattered most, but maybe 2015-16 could be different.
2.16pmThe setting for today's match, courtesy of Man United legend Gary Neville:
Old Trafford United v Arsenal coming soon pic.twitter.com/eqqMLJAKcF
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) May 17, 20152.18pmIt must be remembered that Arsenal find themselves 14 points off leaders Chelsea, meaning that results must be sustained over the duration of the season if they are to finish on top of the pile 12 months from now. What gives supporters so much hope, though, is their side's improved ability to take points off fellow title rivals in recent months.
2.20pmArsenal are now longer bullied when taking on the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United, as witnessed just a few weeks back when they claimed a goalless draw against the Blues. That was a result which ultimately favoured the Prem champs, but there were plenty of signs that Wenger has now found the right balance in these big games.
2.22pmThere was also an impressive, and perhaps defining, victory at Old Trafford in the FA Cup earlier this season which provided a particular high point for Gunners supporters. Having been thrashed at Anfield, Stamford Bridge and indeed the Theatre of Dreams in recent years, Wenger now has a winning formula which will only benefit his side in the long term.
2.24pmIt was interesting to hear Wenger's opposite number Louis van Gaal hail the quality of this Arsenal side in the build-up to today's game, claiming that the North London outfit boast a more impressive side than runaway champs Chelsea. The Dutchman does have a point to a certain extent, with Arsenal having an array of attacking talent to choose from.
2.26pmThe emergence of Francis Coquelin has also helped improve things, providing some much-needed defensive balance to the side since returning from his loan spell at Charlton Athletic. Whether or not he is the right fit for the long term is another question entirely, but it is likely that Arsenal will make a move for Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin this summer.
2.28pmPlenty of reasons to be positive if you're an Arsenal fan, then, and their travelling army of supporters will be in confident mood prior to kickoff in the North West due to their fine away form. Only Chelsea can better the Gunners' tally of 33 points from their 18 games on the road, in a run which includes five wins on the bounce.
2.30pmIt should be pointed out, however, that Wenger's charges have won just one of their seven away games against top-nine sides so far this season. Throw into the mix the fact that five of those games have been lost, and it is clear to see that there is still a fair way to go before this team truly challenges for the Premier League title.
2.32pmSimilarly, there is still an awful lot of work for Van Gaal to carry out before United are challenging for major honours at home and abroad. This season has been about transition, but club chiefs have made it clear to the former Bayern Munich boss that the expectation levels next season are at an all-time high.
2.34pmAgain, like Arsenal, the Red Devils were slow getting out of the blocks in the early months of the season before they eventually managed to click into gear. Even still, the performances have not been at the level expected even when they pick up victories, but I'm sure Van Gaal will be happy enough with his maiden campaign on these shores.
2.36pmIt would be fair to argue that LVG has slowly turned this United side into one we became more familiar with under former manager Alex Ferguson in terms of playing style, with plenty of emphasis on wing play and getting the ball into the box from wide areas. The signing of Memphis Depay has only added to that, but we can surely expect further recruits to come in over the coming months.
2.38pmTwo of world football's greatest managers come face-to-face once again this afternoon at Old Trafford:
© Getty Images
2.40pmThe target was very much to retain United's status as a Champions League side, and Van Gaal has achieved that with games to spare. Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur have struggled to truly trouble the Red Devils, but they are in that fourth and final UCL berth on merit. If they fail to beat Arsenal this afternoon, however, then they will still have to overcome a tricky qualifying fixture to officially get there.
2.42pmAs executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward stated this week, next year simply has to be about more than just finishing fourth in the Premier League table. Challenging for the title is the target, as well as reaching the latter stages of the Champions League - should they get there - and the two domestic cup competitions.
2.44pmIt has been a strange campaign for United in many ways, but one that will ultimately be seen as a success of sorts after finishing in the top four. They have hit a barren run of form in recent weeks, losing three games on the bounce prior to a much-needed victory at Crystal Palace last time out. The Red Devils have also gone seven games without keeping a clean sheet now; last doing so over eight matches back in September 2011.
2.46pmVan Gaal this week talked up his side's improved home form this season, which has been one of the key aspects of their top-four push. They boast the second best home record in the division, failing to win just four of their 18 games at Old Trafford and winning seven of the last eight.
2.48pmDefensively speaking, despite this run of no shutouts in seven, United hold claim to a decent enough record. Their goals against tally is almost identical to that of Arsenal, although up the other end of the field things have looked bleak of late, with just two goals scored in their last four league outings.
2.50pmThe likes of Radamel Falcao and Angel di Maria have struggled to adapt to life in the English top flight so far, which has not helped Van Gaal in his attempt to turn United into a real force once again. Rumours surrounding the future of goalkeeper David de Gea just won't go away, either, with the Real Madrid target a key part of this side.
2.52pmYou feel that, on the basis of the last couple of seasons, a couple more star names are still required. Di Maria may come good with time, of course, but Man United don't have the time to wait around in the hope that he can repay his hefty price tag. Gareth Bale could be brought to Old Trafford for what would surely be a British record fee, but the Red Devils also require strengthening in other positions around the field.
2.54pmIronically, despite the millions of pounds being spent on superstar names last summer, it is the likes of Marouane Fellaini and Ashley Young who have made the biggest waves since the turn of the year. Young, a £15m signing from Aston Villa in 2011, produced a superb individual display eight days ago to help take apart Crystal Palace.
2.56pmHe will no doubt play a key part once more this afternoon, with his marauding runs down the flank likely to cause Arsenal's full-backs plenty of problems. Fellaini's ability to win seemingly every aerial battle has also proved to be a key feature for United this year, as they resort to more direct football.
2.57pmRight, the team news has now been released, so let's take a look at how these two sides line up for this Premier League showdown.
3pmTEAM NEWS!
MANCHESTER UNITED XI: De Gea, Valencia, Jones, Smalling, Rojo, Mata, Blind, Herrera, Young, Fellaini, Falcao
ARSENAL XI: Ospina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Ramsey, Ozil, Alexis, Giroud
3.02pmLet's start by taking a look at the home side, then, which shows two changes from last time out. Wayne Rooney and Luke Shaw were both ruled out earlier this week, and they are replaced in the starting lineup by Radamel Falcao and Marcos Rojo.
3.04pmMichael Carrick is another player who was deemed unfit to play a part this afternoon, which is a huge blow for a United side who have relied on the Englishman to help build attacks from deep throughout the campaign. Elsewhere, Robin van Persie and Angel di Maria are available again to manager Louis van Gaal, but he has opted to leave both players on the bench.
3.06pmIn terms of the visitors, Arsene Wenger has once again opted to name an unchanged side. It is the sixth game in succession that he has stuck with this group of players, suggesting that he has found a formula which he is happy with.
3.08pmDespite that 1-0 defeat at home to Swansea last Monday, Wenger is hoping that stability pays dividends. There is no Old Trafford return for Danny Welbeck, a hero in the FA Cup tie between these sides earlier this campaign, due to a knee injury, while the knock picked up by Aaron Ramsey is not as bad as first feared.
3.10pmBENCH WATCH!
MANCHESTER UNITED SUBS: Valdes, Blackett, McNair, Di Maria, Januzaj, Van Persie, Wilson
ARSENAL SUBS: Szczesny, Gibbs, Gabriel, Flamini, Rosicky, Wilshere, Walcott
3.12pmSo as already mentioned, Van Persie and Di Maria must both make do with a place among the backups today. Adnan Januzaj and James Wilson also provide further attacking cover should they be required, with fellow youngsters Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair completing the matchday 18 in terms of outfield players.
3.14pmJack Wilshere has endured another injury-plagued campaign following a collision with McNair in the reverse meeting earlier this season, but he is fit enough to take his place on the bench. An unchanged side for the past six games means that the likes of Theo Walcott, Kieran Gibbs and Tomas Rosicky have been left frustrated, having to settle for a place on the bench yet again from the off.
3.16pm
Championship correspondent Pascal Lemesre: Interesting that Van Gaal has opted for Falcao, not Van Persie to replace injured skipper Rooney. Former Gunner RVP has scored in both games against Arsenal at Old Trafford and will no doubt be gutted that he's not starting today. As for the visitors, it's the first time in their history that Wenger has named an unchanged XI for six straight games. He's obviously happy, even though they underperformed against Swansea.
3.18pmThis man has been named on the bench for Manchester United against his former side, with Radamel Falcao being preferred in attack:
© Getty Images
3.20pmValencia and Young will be tasked with providing some width for United, with Fellaini used as a target man in the final third of the field. Falcao is fast running out of time to land himself a permanent deal at Old Trafford, but a goal or two against Arsenal today will go a long way to helping him win over supporters.
3.22pmAlexis Sanchez could prove to be a key player in terms of how this one pans out, with the Chile international requiring just one more goal to match the 17 scored by club legend Thierry Henry during his maiden campaign in North London. That would be some feat for the South American, who has set the Premier League alight since joining from Barcelona.
3.25pmPREVIOUS MEETINGS: United are unbeaten in their last seven league matches against Arsenal, while going further back it is just the one defeat in 12. The Gunners have also failed to pick up maximum points at Old Trafford in a league game since 2006, but they did of course knock Van Gaal's men out of the FA Cup earlier this year at the Theatre of Dreams.
3.27pmSpeaking of past encounters, you can relive some of the classic matches from down the years in this fixture right here. This afternoon's match is not likely to go down in folklore in terms of the magnitude of things, but hopefully we will see an entertaining contest between two sides battling for third place nonetheless.
3.29pmUPDATE! Manchester City have beaten Swansea City 4-2 at the Liberty Stadium in the day's early kickoff. That leaves the Citizens six points clear of Arsenal in second place, although the Gunners do of course hold two games in hand over last season's champions.
3.31pmThat result in South Wales means that it will now be awfully tough for Arsenal to oust City and claim second place, with three wins from their final three games realistically needed, as well as the Citizens slipping up in their final outing. For United, they could really do with a win here to give themselves hope of finishing above the North London club.
3.34pmWe have looked at the two teams in-depth, but what about today's match official? Mike Dean is the man who will be taking charge of things at Old Trafford, providing plenty of experience for this colossal fixture. Dean has shown eight red cards in his 35 games in the middle this season, including two in Newcastle's recent defeat at Leicester.
3.36pmHe last refereed a game at Old Trafford back on the opening weekend of the season, when United fell to a surprise 2-1 defeat against Swansea. A lot has happened since then, of course, with both of these sides having to make up ground in the league following slow starts.
3.38pmDID YOU KNOW? Arsenal are aiming to become just the side in history to win two games at Old Trafford in a single season. Chelsea (2004/05), Tottenham (1989/90) and Aston Villa (1919/20) are the only teams to have previously achieved that feat, as the Gunners aim to build on their FA Cup win at this very venue earlier this year.
3.40pmKickoff is now around 20 minutes away at Old Trafford, so there is still time to check out the Sports Mole Sofa preview beforehand:
3.43pmBoth camps have had plenty to say heading into today's match:
Santi Cazorla: "In our eyes, Arsenal are always a candidate to win the Premier League, the players really believe that. But over the years we have dropped key points in stadiums where we need to win. That's our handicap and the thing we need to change."
Louis van Gaal: "I have not given the team a winning mentality yet because we are not champions and I think that is a quality of the champions. We have improved lot, but we have to learn to do what Chelsea have done in the way they can play and finish the games – that is the big difference now between us and them."
3.45pmInteresting comments from LVG, who admits that his side must learn to get the job done in the same efficient manner as Chelsea if they are to challenge at the top next year. The key word being used at Old Trafford this season is "progress", and a top-four finish certainly represents an improvement on last year. There is still a long way for the Red Devils to go if they are to return to their former glory days, however, with the pressure very much on them to pick up maximum points today if they are to put further pressure on Arsenal for third place.
3.48pmPREDICTION: Right, I hope that has helped to whet the appetite a little more prior to kickoff. It now seems like a good time to make a prediction ahead of the Old Trafford showdown, with Arsenal travelling to the North West on the back of a mightily impressive away record. They boast the division's second best record in that department across the course of the season, while United have failed to win just four of their 18 home games. That suggests that we are in for a tight affair, but I'm going to back Arsenal to claim a 2-1 win - their first triumph at Old Trafford in the league since 2006.
3.51pmChampionship correspondent Pascal Lemesre: It will be interesting to see if Arsenal really try to take the game to United. With their creativity and flair, you'd expect them to at least get a goal. A place in the Champions League group stage will be guaranteed if the visitors triumph and they'll also become just the fourth team in history to beat United at Old Trafford twice in the same season. Plenty of incentive for the Gunners, but can they deliver their best in a crunch league game?
3.53pmBoth sets of players are now in the tunnel waiting to emerge, as kickoff fast approaches at the Theatre of Dreams. Just two points separate the sides in third and fourth place, with United knowing that they can climb above their opponents - for a few days at least - with a win this afternoon.
3.56pmFor Arsenal it is all very simple - a win and their incredible record of qualifying for the Champions League proper will be extended by a further year. They still harbour hopes of usurping Manchester City, too, but if they are to do so they will probably need to bag maximum points from their three remaining games.
3.58pmThe players are now out on the field and the pre-match handshakes are over and done with. There's an impressive atmosphere inside Old Trafford this afternoon, with United aiming to end their home campaign on a real high.
1 minKICKOFF! We are underway at Old Trafford; United sporting their traditional red shirts and white shorts, while Arsenal are kitted out in their yellow and blue away strip.
3 minA somewhat tentative start to things at Old Trafford, with Sanchez looking to feed in Ozil early on, only for De Gea to quickly race off his line and collect the ball.
5 minAlexis, one goal away from matching Henry's tally of 17 in his own maiden campaign in North London back in 2000, bursts down the flank before seeing his run halted by Valencia.
7 minYoung fires away the first attempt at goal of the contest, although after cutting inside from the left he failed to make the right contact with the ball and sent his shot high and wide.
9 minIt is already clear to see that Arsenal are pushing high up the pitch in attempt to stop United playing out from the back. That includes Giroud quickly closing down De Gea when the Spaniard is in possession, which has so far helped disrupt the Red Devils' play.
11 minSHOT! The game's best moment so far sees Mata feed in Falcao, but the Colombian's shot from a somewhat tight angle was deflected behind by Koscielny. The resulting corner was met by Smalling, who also saw his attempt deflected away from goal.
13 minUnited have seen a large amount of the ball in these opening 13 minutes, without doing a great deal with it. That half-chance for Falcao aside, there has not been a great deal of goalmouth action thus far.
14 minThe home side win a free kick in a dangerous area 20 yards from goal, after Coquelin brought down Mata. The Spaniard is stood over the ball alongside Fellaini.
15 minSHOT! Mata's free kick was on target, but it was a simple enough stop for Ospina to make. Not enough bend on the ball to get the better of the Arsenal keeper.
17 min
Match with my boys. Come on lads @ManUtd pic.twitter.com/j1x2II4HW9
— Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) May 17, 201519 minArsenal have seen more of the ball in advanced areas over the past few minutes, forcing United to remain compact at the back as they look to keep their opponents out. Still no clear-cut chances of note so far at Old Trafford, in an evenly-matched contest.
22 minThe sting has completely gone out of the game over the past 10 minutes or so, as Arsenal continue to see more of the ball. Phil Jones comically lost his footing which almost allowed Giroud in, but the Frenchman couldn't quite get the ball under control.
24 minThere has been no rhythm whatsoever to the hosts' play in the opening quarter of the match. There has been little for either side to shout about so far, which will suit Arsenal more so than a United side who are in need of a win today.
26 minFellaini catches Mertesacker with a stray elbow, which was clumsy rather than anything intentional. Coquelin thought the Belgian should have been shown a card of some sort, but it would have been harsh had Mike Dean reached into his pocket.
28 minAlmost an absolute shocker from United at the back, as a breakdown in communication sees Jones knock the ball past De Gea who was rushing out to clear the danger. The Spaniard just about managed to get a foot to the ball to save his teammate's blushes, with Giroud waiting to pounce.
30 minGOAL! MANCHESTER UNITED 1-0 ARSENAL (HERRERA)
31 minWe have lift off at Old Trafford at long last! The goal was created by Young, who adds another assist to his collection thanks to his teasing cross from the left which was smashed home by Herrera at the back post. United had a few men over, and the Spaniard pounced by sweetly striking the ball past Ospina from eight yards out.
33 minYoung almost creates another opening for his side, but his final ball failed to find a teammate. Up the other end, Ozil had a brief sight of goal, although he opted to attempt to pick out Giroud rather than shoot himself. It was the wrong option, with the Frenchman returning from an offside position and the ball running through for De Gea to collect.
35 minHerrera tries his luck again, this time firing wide from just outside the area. His goal is the difference so far, in a game of very few chances.
38 minThe atmosphere is awfully flat around Old Trafford today, which I guess comes down to the fact that there is 'only' a top-three place left to fight for. A fine ball over the top allowed Mata to loft a back-post cross in the direction of Falcao a few moments ago, but the referee had already blown his whistle due to a foul from the Colmbian when jumping for the ball.
40 minArsenal's creative players have yet to truly get going this afternoon, with no chances of note for the Gunners in the first half so far. Giroud has had little to feed off, which may spark Wenger into action at the break.
42 minBlind shows off some tricky footwork to get himself out of trouble in midfield, before looking to play in Falcao. The Colombian striker lacked the foresight required to get ahead of his man, however, with Arsenal clearing away.
44 minThings have gone very sloppy again all of a sudden, with Smalling, Mertesacker and Fellaini each giving away possession too easily in quick succession. United are on the front foot looking to find a second before the break.
45 minSHOT! Blind's curled effort appeared to be heading for the bottom corner if not for a block from Smalling who got in the way of the shot. A decent attempt from the Dutchman, who found himself in acres of space inside the area.
45+1 minHALF TIME: MANCHESTER UNITED 1-0 ARSENAL
4.48pmReferee Mike Dean blows his whistle for half time, ensuring that Manchester United take a 1-0 lead into the interval. It has been a flat opening 45 minutes, with Ander Herrera's strike one of just a handful of chances both sides created.
4.51pmBlind's shot at the end of the half, which appeared to be heading in before striking Smalling and going away from goal, is pretty much as good as things have got before or since that 30th-minute Herrera strike. Mata also got a weak effort on target from a free kick, while Arsenal have yet to have a single shot.
4.54pmA vast improvement is needed in the second half if Arsenal are to take anything from this game:
0 - Arsenal have failed to have a single shot in the first-half of a PL game for the first time since November 2004 v Liverpool. Hushed.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 17, 20154.56pmIncidentally, Arsenal last conceded a first-half goal back on New Year's Day when they fell to defeat at Southampton, so it will be interesting to see how they respond following the restart. For all their quality attacking options, they struggled to click in the opening 45 minutes and could not muster a single shot.
4.58pmWenger may be tempted into changing things around slightly at the break. Here is a reminder of the options available to both managers:
MANCHESTER UNITED SUBS: Valdes, Blackett, McNair, Di Maria, Januzaj, Van Persie, Wilson
ARSENAL SUBS: Szczesny, Gibbs, Gabriel, Flamini, Rosicky, Wilshere, Walcott
5pmBoth sets of players are now back out on the field, with the second half due to get underway in a few moments.
46 minRESTART! We are back underway at Old Trafford, with no news of any half-time changes to bring you. Fellaini almost got things off to a dream start for the hosts, but he couldn't quite connect with Valencia's cross in the manner he would have wished.
48 minChampionship correspondent Pascal Lemesre: Incredible that a team who have won seven away games in a row didn't manage a shot of any kind in the first half. United didn't create much in the way of clear-cut chances either, but they certainly deserve their lead. The Red Devils have never lost in 233 Premier League home games (230 wins, 13 draws) when they've led at half time. Daunting stat for Gunners fans.
50 minWe have just witnessed the best passing move of the match so far, which culminated in Fellaini playing in Young on the left, only for the winger to pick out Ospina with his low cross. It was a fine period of play up until that point, as United start the second half on top.
52 minSHOT! Half a chance for Alexis, who fluffed his lines by smashing Giroud's knockdown high into the stands. Not the easiest of openings, but the Chilean usually has the quality to make the most of those situations.
54 minSAVE! The Red Devils are looking the more likely side to score at the moment. Arsenal successfully cleared away a couple of dangerous crosses, before Rojo fizzed an effort right down the throat of Ospina.
56 minArsenal have moved up a gear over the past couple of minutes, yet they will need to up things even more if they are to stand a chance of finding an equaliser. We are approaching that time in the match where both managers will be thinking about making changes.
58 minThe Gunners are really starting to press further up the field in an attempt to find a breakthrough, as Ramsey's lofted pass is headed across goal by Ozil, but there was nobody on the end of the knockdown.
60 minMANCHESTER UNITED SUB: It has been another hugely disappointing afternoon for Falcao, in what could very well be his final home match as a United player. Ex-Gunner Robin van Persie is on in his place to the delight of those visiting supporters.
62 minCHANCE! Arsenal's best chance by quite some distance falls to top scorer Giroud. Ramsey's initial pass was slightly behind the Frenchman, but a superb first touch left him with only De Gea to beat. The United stopper made himself big and did brilliantly to keep out the shot with his foot.
64 minIf not for a fine Rojo challenge, Ramsey would have been afforded a shot on goal inside the area. Cazorla then saw his effort kept out by De Gea, before a strong counter-attacking move led to Young came to an end thanks to Bellerin's covering tackle.
66 minIt's become end-to-end all of a sudden, with Arsenal the side who are just about edging things. The second half has already provided more entertainment than the first, as the Gunners continue their search for a goal.
69 minCLOSE! Ramsey lifts a pass over the top of United's defence out of the reach of the out-rushing De Gea, but Rojo was back to deny the Welshman a tap-in in front of goal. What a huge piece over defending that was from the United man, who has ensured that his side's slender lead remains intact.
71 minMATCH ACTION! Ander Herrera's 30th-minute strike is the difference between the two sides at Old Trafford:
© Getty Images
73 minARSENAL SUBS: Wenger has decided to take action by making a double switch, bringing on Walcott and Wilshere in place of Bellerin and Cazorla.
75 minMANCHESTER UNITED SUBS: This is an interesting one. David de Gea has picked up an injury in what is potentially his final United home game, with Valdes on in his place for his Red Devils debut. Blackett also comes on for Rojo at the back.
77 minThat stoppage in play appears to have benefited United, as Young slaloms his way past a few opposition players in a dangerous attacking move. He could not pick out Van Persie, though, instead settling for a corner kick which came to nothing.
79 minCoquelin is now playing at right-back, with Wilshere operating alongside Ramsey in the centre of midfield. Can Arsenal now find some momentum as we head into the final 10 minutes?
81 minGOAL! MANCHESTER UNITED 1-1 ARSENAL (BLACKETT, OG)
82 minArsenal have drawn level inside the final 10 minutes, and they have a slice of luck to thank for the potentially decisive goal in deciding who finishes in third place. Three substitutes were involved - Walcott seeing his effort, which did not look to be on target, deflecting over the reach of debutant Valdes. The Spaniard probably should have done better their, having gone to ground a little too soon to be caught out be the ball's late change of direction.
84 minCHANCE! The visitors are ending this game strongly, coming close to bagging a second goal in the space of a few minutes. Ozil's pull-back was latched on to by Giroud, who fired into the side-netting from inside the area.
87 minSHOT! United relieve some of the intense pressure they were facing in the aftermath of that Arsenal goal, and they come close to finding the game's third goal up the other end. Fellaini did well to head the ball down into the path of Van Persie, who smashed the ball over the bar from a good position.
89 minThis game took a while to get going, but it has been an entertaining second half overall. It could still go either way, too, with both teams now looking for what would surely be a winning goal.
90 minARSENAL SUB: Well I said Arsenal are looking to win the game, but Wenger seems happy to sit back on a draw now if this switch is anything to go by. The defensive-minded Flamini comes on for Alexis in the contest's final change.
90+1 minThe fourth official raises his board to show that we will play a further five minutes at Old Trafford.
90+3 minMata frustratingly drifts into an offside position just when United looked to be building up some steam, allowing Arsenal to relieve the pressure. Two minutes left to play.
90+4 minArsenal mount a late counter-attack as United throw bodies forward, but Ramsey was happy to take the ball into the corner to eat up some valuable seconds. The Gunners are more than happy with a point.
90+5 minYELLOW CARD! Herrera catches Flamini to earn the game's first yellow card right at the death.
90+6 minFULL TIME: MANCHESTER UNITED 1-1 ARSENAL
5.55pmThe full-time whistle blows to bring an end to proceedings at Old Trafford. A 1-1 draw is just about a fair result on the balance of things, but it is a scoreline that certainly favours the Gunners more than their opponents who are now likely to have to settle for fourth place.
5.57pmTheo Walcott's deflected shot inside the final 10 minutes cancelled out Ander Herrera's first-half opener to ensure that the spoils would be shared, leaving Arsenal two points clear of United in the race for third place.
5.58pmChampionship correspondent Pascal Lemesre: Arsenal will definitely be happy with a draw there. They came back into the game well after the hour mark, but it took a fortunate own goal for them to draw level. United will feel that it was a missed opportunity to pile the pressure on Arsenal going into their last two games, but a top-four finish is still solid in Van Gaal's first season in charge.
6pmWell that is all from me in terms of live text coverage this evening, but be sure to stick around with player ratings, analysis and all the reaction from Old Trafford to follow shortly.
