Following Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal, manager Louis van Gaal praised the play of his side, saying the Red Devils dominated a majority of the game until conceding an unlucky, deflected equalizer late in the match.
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In his post-match interview, Van Gaal said he thinks Arsenal may be the best team in the league, despite the fact that Chelsea clinched the title with three matches to play. LVG did use Chelsea as an example of a team that knows how to “finish a game”, something he hopes his United side will improve on next season.
Arsenal’s play this year has been praised by many, as Arsene Wenger’s side has been brilliant since Christmas and is in line for a third-place finish in the league. However, it is impossible for the Gunners to equal their points total from last season when they finished in fourth place, so mathematically the team didn’t necessarily improve.
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While Arsenal is known for playing a beautiful brand of football, Chelsea was accused of being “boring” for most of the season. All that boring play helped the Blues capture their fourth Premier League title with plenty of breathing room at the top.
No one knows that “boring” style more than Louis van Gaal, whose United side went to Stamford Bridge and dominated Chelsea in nearly every statistical category, yet lost to Jose Mourinho’s men 1-0. Van Gaal talks about Chelsea’s ability to finish off a game in which they have a lead, adapting defensively to ensure all three points. That skill at closing out games won Chelsea the Premier League title, something LVG is eyeing for next season.