Last night saw Arsenal defeat Manchester United 2-0 at the Emirates stadium. The result secured Arsenal’s fourth consecutive victory over their storied rivals, cementing their strong position in the Premier League title race this season. Man United put up a good fight throughout the game but it wasn’t enough to overcome Arteta’s men who are in great form at the moment.
The first half was a cagey affair, with both sides struggling to carve out clear scoring opportunities. Arsenal dominated possession but faced a resolute Manchester United defense, marshaled by Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt. United’s counterattacks, led by Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Højlund, showed promise but lacked the final product to challenge Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya. Key moments included Tyrell Malacia’s sliding tackle to dispossess Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber, which highlighted United’s defensive commitment. However, their attack was ruined by erratic shooting and miscommunication.
The game’s momentum shifted early in the second half. Arsenal broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute when Declan Rice’s corner found Jurrien Timber, whose flick on header beat André Onana. This goal further proved Arsenal’s lethal set-piece strategy, a weakness United failed to address throughout the match. Arsenal doubled their lead in the 73rd minute with yet another corner. This time, it was William Saliba who capitalized on poor marking, with the ball deflecting off him and into the net to secure the victory. The defensive lapses from United, particularly on set-pieces, were glaring and left manager Ruben Amorim visibly frustrated at his players.
Despite falling behind once again, United didn’t give up easily. Amad Diallo and Marcus Rashford added energy into the attack, with Diallo creating problems for the gunners in dangerous areas. Bruno Fernandes nearly created a goal with a clever free kick that forced an incredible save from David Raya.
A standout performer from the game was Declan Rice who controlled the game from midfield, connecting defence to attack as well as protecting the defence from the oncoming Red Devils. The outstanding performance earned the England international man of the match and another assist to his tally.
Arsenal travel to West London on Sunday to face Fulham. After a run of hard games, the Gunners will appreciate a slightly easier fixture with a chance for players such as Calafori and Gabriel to return from injury and get back into the starting lineup.