Manchester United headed to the locker room leading Arsenal 2-0, but the Gunners dominated in possession and chances. The Gunners finished the first half up 71%-29% in possession with 14 shots to United’s five. The home side has put seven of those shots on goal while United have just those two.
The difference was obviously David de Gea, who has looked like the world’s best goalkeeper thus far tonight. It’s certainly been a #DaveSaves kind of night, and those saves included one preventing teammate Romelu Lukaku from scoring an own goal.
The United #1 was absolutely brilliant in the first half, with seven saves, but this play on Lukaku is the one that has social media buzzing.
https://twitter.com/TheManUtdWay/status/937024271221690368
David De Gea is so damn good, even his teammate Lukaku tried to test him. But, but, SpideGea with another stunning save! #DaveSaves pic.twitter.com/OGzqa7zPxz
— Roro O'Monstro????????? (@Roromeo_MUFC10) December 2, 2017
The first half ended in an insane flurry of scoring chances for Arsenal, providing the case that this match might be the game of the year.
It has certainly been a #DaveSaves day on Twitter, which is quite common, but this time there’s another angle this time- the Romelu Lukaku scoring drought, which many social media users are having a whole lot of fun with.
Here’s just a small sample of some of the more entertaining and poignant reactions that we saw on the micro-blogging platform to De Gea saving Lukaku.
De gea just saved LUKAKU's career
— ????????????????????????Adé? (@DaflowAbioye) December 2, 2017
https://twitter.com/onegoodfoot/status/937023000569958400
Romelu Lukaku trying his best to score. However, probably better if he tries the other goal instead of his own one. Great save by De Gea ? #ARSMUN
— FourFourTwo (@FourFourTwo) December 2, 2017
Great effort from Lukaku but it takes a lot to get past De Gea
— The United Girl (@TheMUnitedGirl) December 2, 2017
FUN FACT: Lukaku's only shot on target in the first half was saved by De Gea.
— Sripad (@falsewinger) December 2, 2017
Lukaku's best effort on goal in recent weeks saved by De Gea…….
— Fantasy Hub (@FantasyFootyHub) December 2, 2017
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
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