I think he just panicked – Rio Ferdinand feels Arsenal’s manager Arteta was like a rabbit in the headlights against Manchester United

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes Arsenal manager Arteta panicked in the second half against Manchester United. The Gunners lost their first match of the new season of the Premier League as they were beaten 3-1 by the Red Devils at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Antony scored on his debut for the home team while Bukayo Saka equalized for Arsenal in the second half. Marcus Rashford once again gave a lead to his team as he scored in the 66th minute.

However, Arteta brought in Fabio Vieira, Eddie Nketiah, and Emile Smith Rowe for Martin Odegaard, Albert Sambi Lokonga, and Oleksandr Zinchenko in the 74th minute of the game.

Despite the triple substitution, Rashford scored his second goal of the match in the 75th minute on a counter-attack.

Rio Ferdinand said on his YouTube Channel FIVE, “I think Arteta was almost like a rabbit in the headlights. He just panicked, I think. It felt like he panicked in the situation. I think in the cold light of day he doesn’t make those three substitutions as quickly as he did. They were controlling the game and it gave United the impetus. Manager to manager – Ten Hag won the game.”

He continued: “I think Arteta was super confident. He had a right to be, they had won five on the bounce. That maybe built an arrogance in the way he made his substitutions. He’ll look back and realise he probably went a bit gung-ho.”

On the other hand, former Manchester United captain Roy Keane was full of praise for Marcus Rashford, who scored a brace against the Gunners.

He told Sky Sports, “Hunger, desire, decision-making [and] stretching teams. He had a full pre-season with the club – different to last summer – he looks settled, happy in his mindset. When Marcus is at [his best], he is a handful.”

“When he stretches teams he is a good, good player. [Against Arsenal], Marcus was brilliant. I was tough on him over the last year or two and needs to be more consistent but today, fantastic.”