Wilshere tries to thread a path between Carrick and Valencia. Despite two attempts on goal in the first ten minutes, the first half was a slow game to watch, with each side's confidence visibly knocked by recent events.Photograph: Tom JenkinsVidic hitches a ride on Giroud's shoulders and gets the ball first to head it out of the danger zone.Photograph: Tom JenkinsVan Persie saw a few chances on goal despite Manchester's focus on a defensive game. Every time the ball came into his possession, however, he was met with a chorus of boos from what used to be his home fans.Photograph: Tom JenkinsAntonio Valencia's presence at the post was very much appreciated by David Moyes – what would certainly have been a goal was headed out of the danger zone.Photograph: Tom JenkinsKieran Gibbs has a header on target, but comes off worse in a battle with Da Silva, falling awkwardly, he stayed down for some time before getting back up.Photograph: Tom JenkinsShortly afterward, and it was Da Silva's turn for a header to turn into a nasty looking fall, this time onto his neck. Despite being able to play on, he was taken off the pitch at half time.Photograph: Tom JenkinsThe defensive play was cemented by great performances fro David De Gea – his hands appeared to have their own gravitational pull.Photograph: Tom JenkinsDe Gea saves the ball once again – his hand's gravitational pull inadvertantly sucking in Ferdinand's boots.Photograph: Tom JenkinsDavid Moyes looks livid with his team. United's defense didn't falter, however any sense of attacking urgency was entirely lacking.Photograph: Tom JenkinsOzil tries to get past Carrick and Vidic, but United's constant strength in numbers in their own half gets the better of him.Photograph: Tom JenkinsGiroud makes an attempt on goal, however pressure from Vidic sees it miss its mark. United's defense proved impenetrable, despite the occasional hint of urgency in Arsenal's game.Photograph: Tom JenkinsLooking suitably chastened, Giroud missed each of his four chances on goal.Photograph: Tom JenkinsArsene Wenger holds his head in his hands, as were fans around the country.Photograph: Tom JenkinsThe body language says it all – both sides played poorly, with little attacking initiative shown. Arsenal had the better game of the two, but a lacklustre performance from the forwards combined with a defence-heavy strategy from United to create an unbreakable deadlock. Photograph: Tom Jenkins
