Arsenal failed to take advantage of Chelsea's draw against Westbromich Albion to go top of the EPL table as they were held to a goaless draw by Manchester United in a keenly contested match.
Manchester United allowed their host to dictate the play while they defend resolutely to cut all attacking plays of Arsenal and hoping to catch them on counter attack.
Arsenal made two changes to the side that lost scandalously to Liverpool over the weekend; Tomas Rosicky coming in for Oxlade-Chamberlain and Kieron Gibbs replacing Nacho Monreal at left back.
United made a single change with Tom Cleverly prefered to Darren Fletcher in the heart of the midfield and Mata, Rooney and Van Persie retaining their place in the starting lineup.
Arsenal were held to a 0-0 draw against Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night to miss out on the chance to move to the top of the Premier League.
United were gifted a golden chance in the opening minute of the game as Robin van Persie charged down Arteta as he was trying to turn on te ball and stole the ball from him only to fire straight at Wojciech Szczesny.
The first half ended with no glaring chances afterwards as it was filled with tackles here and there and Manchester United restricting the play of Arsenal and cutting their flow of play.
The second half was however more interesting as Arsenal intesify there play but could not find the breakthrough at the other end.
The Gunners however came close as Laurent Koscielny rose highest to beat Vidic but his goal bound header was cleared off the line by Antonio Valencia as David De Gea was clearly beaten.
Later on Olivier Giroud was late in his timing to tap in a superb curling cross from Sagna.
United had a chance of their own as the gunners were caught on the ounter as Van Persie stole the ball once again from the midfield and raced towards the Londoners eighteen yard area before playing in Wayne Rooney who then located Van Persie's run at the back post but the header was pushed onto the bar by Szczesny to keep the score level.
Five minutes later Ozil set up Cazorla to drive at goal but De Gea made a fine low save.
De Gea was called to duty again in the closing minute of the game as he had to dive low to hi left to save Cazolar's goal bound shot from going into the net.
The result means Arsenal remains second on 56 points behind Chelsea who also played out a 1-1 draw with Westbow on Tuesday.
Arsenal will next play Liverpool on Saturday in the FA Cup 5th round before hosting Bayern Munich in the round of 16 stage of the Champions League on 19th Febuary before hosting Sunderland in the EPL on 22nd of Febuary.
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