Arsenal retained control of the Premier League title race after Eddie Nketiah’s 90th-minute winner gave them a dramatic victory over Manchester United in a thriller at the Emirates Stadium.
Manchester City’s earlier victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers put pressure on the Gunners, but they responded with character and quality, even after falling behind, to secure a five-point advantage at the top with a game less.
United’s man of the moment Marcus Rashford unleashed a superb right-footed strike from 25 yards out to give them a 17th-minute lead.
Arsenal responded fiercely and were level seven minutes later when Granit Xhaka’s cross created a header opportunity for Nketiah, who edged Aaron Wan-Bissaka at the far post.
Bukayo Saka’s oblique strike gave Arsenal the lead eight minutes after the break, but their advantage lasted just six minutes, with Lisandro Martinez scoring his first goal for the club after goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale dropped a corner .
Arsenal looked like the most likely winners in the closing stages, with Saka hitting the post and Nketiah denied by David de Gea’s exceptional save.
The pressure paid off in the dying moments when Nketiah – a striker who is doing a stellar job as a replacement for the injured Gabriel Jesus – came close from close range to spark wild celebratory scenes at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal unstoppable continues
The celebrations on and off the pitch at the final whistle showed the enormous importance of Nketiah’s late winner.
A draw would hardly have been disastrous for Arsenal against Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United improvement – but the general mood was lifted by Nketiah’s latest intervention.
Aware that Manchester City were on their shoulders after beating Wolves, Arsenal’s composure was tested as Rashford’s golden run continued and he put United ahead.
Arsenal responded with the intensity and quality that marked their play on their way to the top of the table – orderly and composed; always creating opportunities until Nketiah sorts things out.
Saka and captain Martin Odegaard create opportunities and threats, while Nketiah ensures that the absence of Gabriel Jesus – who many feared could seriously sabotage the Gunners’ title challenge – does not prevent them from winning matches.
Manchester United dramatic denial
Manchester United thought they had done all the hard work as the clock ticked down and their defense – with Martinez outstanding – held firm.
So it was understandable that they looked so devastated when the brief hope offered by a VAR check on Nketiah’s winner was extinguished and they simply didn’t have enough time to salvage a point.
Arsenal deserved the win and United can look back on the costly absence of the suspended Casemiro, who would have provided vital experience and game management in those frenetic final stages, and the fact that giant striker Wout Weghorst is still adapting to the life as Prime Minister. League.
There was still plenty to admire for United, who gave their best in the first hour and defended well after Saka put Arsenal ahead.
Ultimately, United were left bitterly disappointed by the loss, with a heavy recent schedule leaving them tired towards the end.
Arsenal fully deserved victory, but there is no doubt that tenacious United are heading in the right direction.
- Our coverage of your Premier League club is bigger and better than ever – here’s all you need to know to make sure you never miss a moment
