Arsenal Vs Manchester United has long been a very heated rivalry and one of the Premier League’s headline fixtures. And the latest battle in the war between two of England’s biggest and historic clubs was another to remember as two late Gunners goals secured a dramatic comeback win against their great northern rivals.
Arsenal were dealt a blow before the game, as star midfielder Thomas Partey picked up a groin injury in a training session leading up to the game. As a result, Mikel Arteta brought back centre back Gabriel into the starting lineup, Oleksandr Zinchenko also returned and Ben White shifted back across to right back. Kai Havertz also kept his place in midfield despite a poor showing the previous week against Fulham. Eddie Nketiah also kept his place upfront for Arsenal in the front three alongside Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka.
Arsenal started the game on the front foot. With Gabriel Martinelli at the heart of the Gunners fast start as he looked to take on Aaron Wan-Bisaka. A big chance eventually fell to Havertz in the box following a Martinelli cross but the German mis-kicked his effort. Despite Arsenal’s dominance, they would fall behind midway through the first period as Havertz lost the ball in the midfield and United quickly countered with the ball out to Rashford (which was clearly the game plan for Erik Ten Hag) and despite the best efforts of Aaron Ramsdale who got a hand to the United man’s effort, the strike was impressive and found its way into the top corner to give United the lead at Emirates Stadium.
However, Mikel Arteta’s side was not behind for long as barely a minute later, some great combination play between Zinchenko, Nketiah and Martinelli ended with the Brazilian squaring the ball for Martin Odegaard who finished superbly into the bottom corner to equalise straight away and set The Emirates alive again.
The match entered the interval at 1-1 in what was proving to be a somewhat tense encounter, although Arsenal has undoubtedly been the better side during the first period. And Mikel Arteta’s team came out after the break in a similar way to how they had ended the first as they were largely camped in the Utd half but couldn’t find a clear cut chance. In fact, for the opening twenty or so minutes of the first half it would be United and Rashford again who would be presented with the best chance of the second half as the Utd man looked set to score before a fantastic block from William Saliba prevented it.
With the game ticking away, Arsenal won a penalty with 20 minutes to go as Kai Havertz was brought down in the box. However Anthony Taylor – who had a poor game – went over to the VAR monitor and overruled his initial decision despite clear contact on the Arsenal man. In the 80th minute, it looked like it just wouldn’t be Arsenal’s day as a low cross from Ben White found Saka who had a clear shot on goal, however scuffed his effort into the path of Andre Onana. And in the 89th minute, it looked as if United had pulled off a smash-and-grab victory as Alejandro Garnacho found the net after being played through. However thankfully for Arsenal, he was just offside thanks to some quick thinking by Gabriel who adjusted his body just in time for the Argentinian forward to just be in an offside position.
Eight minutes were added on, and it looked like it would be two home draws in a row for Arsenal. However, they were awarded their 12th corner of the game in the 96th minute and the ball fell to Declan Rice at the back post. the Englishman found the net with his deflected effort sparking wild scenes both on and off the pitch at Emirates Stadium. But it wasn’t done yet, as a minute later with Utd throwing everything forward, Gabriel Jesus broke through and slotted the ball past Onana to seal a fantastic and dramatic win for Arsenal.
An international break follows but after Arsenal resume action with an away trip to Goodison Park.
Player Ratings:
Aaron Ramsdale: 6 – Had barely anything to do throughout the game. Made one good save in the second half to deny Rashford
Ben White: 6 – Coped with Rashford ok for the most part but struggled on certain occasions
William Saliba: 7 – Made a fantastic block in the second half to deny a certain goal
Gabriel: 8 – Brilliant. Shouldn’t leave the starting XI again for Premier League games. Arsenal defend much better with him in the side
Oleksandr Zinchenko: 6 – Ok, clearly not 100% fit yet
Declan Rice: 9 – Outstanding even before the goal. Brilliant on and off the ball and came up with the crucial winner
Kai Havertz: 5 – The German needs to fully win over the Arsenal fanbase and unfortunately struggled again, despite a slight improvement in the second half
Martin Odegaard: 7 – Not brilliant compared to the captain’s high standards but took his goal brilliantly
Bukayo Saka: 6 – Always a threat but should have scored in the second half
Eddie Nketiah: 6 – Not hugely involved but worked hard
Gabriel Martinelli: 7 – Not many chances in front of goal but never gave up and was always a threat