Arsenal stepped up their claims for a place in the Premier League’s top four at the expense of Manchester United’s ambitions in a thriller at Emirates Stadium.
And Arsenal took three crucial points as the visitors paid the price for shambolic defending and a missed penalty by Bruno Fernandes that undermined an enterprising attacking display.
Nuno Tavares put Arsenal in front after only three minutes following errors from Raphael Varane and Alex Telles, the defender turning in a simple finish after David de Gea saved Bukayo Saka’s shot.
Eddie Nketiah then had an effort ruled out by the video assistant referee for offside but after being called to look at his pitchside monitor the referee awarded a penalty for a foul by Telles on Saka immediately before Nketiah’s shot, and Saka converted from the spot.
United were a real danger in attack, the returning Cristiano Ronaldo deservedly pulling a goal back before the break.
It set the scene for a United siege, only for Fernandes to waste their big chance by carelessly rolling a second-half spot-kick against the post after Tavares handled.
Arsenal cashed in on the reprieve when Granit Xhaka sealed the win by lashing home the Gunners’ third from 25 yards with 20 minutes remaining.
Winning week for Arsenal
Arsenal’s win completed a superb response to three league losses that had jeopardised their top-four hopes.
Mikel Arteta’s side had to fight through adversity – they were not convincing defensively and had several escapes – but they seized their chances when they came to take full advantage of United’s carelessness in front of goal.
Tavares gave them the perfect start and while goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale had a mixed afternoon, he also made some crucial saves, one from Telles early on and another from Diogo Dalot proving significant.
But Xhaka’s thumping drive gave De Gea no chance and there was a real mood of celebration inside Emirates Stadium at the final whistle.
Arsenal have inflicted serious damage on any slim hopes United may have had of reaching the top four while maintaining the pressure on north London rivals Tottenham in the battle to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
More to follow.
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Line-ups
Arsenal
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 32Ramsdale
- 17Cédric SoaresSubstituted forTomiyasuat 90+1′minutes
- 4White
- 6Gabriel
- 20TavaresBooked at 68mins
- 25ElnenyBooked at 80mins
- 34XhakaBooked at 67mins
- 7SakaSubstituted forHoldingat 74′minutes
- 8Ødegaard
- 10Smith RoweSubstituted forMartinelliat 64′minutes
- 30Nketiah
Substitutes
- 1Leno
- 9Lacazette
- 16Holding
- 18Tomiyasu
- 19Pépé
- 23Sambi Lokonga
- 35Martinelli
- 38Azeez
- 69Swanson
Man Utd
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1de Gea
- 20Dalot
- 2LindelöfBooked at 82mins
- 19Varane
- 27TellesBooked at 31mins
- 39McTominay
- 31MaticSubstituted forRashfordat 77′minutes
- 36ElangaSubstituted forLingardat 77′minutes
- 18Bruno FernandesBooked at 76minsSubstituted forMataat 84′minutes
- 25Sancho
- 7Cristiano RonaldoBooked at 90mins
Substitutes
- 3Bailly
- 4Jones
- 5Maguire
- 8Mata
- 10Rashford
- 14Lingard
- 26Henderson
- 29Wan-Bissaka
- 75Garnacho Ferreyra
- Referee:
- Craig Pawson
- Attendance:
- 60,223
Live Text
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Match ends, Arsenal 3, Manchester United 1.
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Second Half ends, Arsenal 3, Manchester United 1.
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Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United).
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Substitution, Arsenal. Takehiro Tomiyasu replaces Cédric Soares.
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Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Jadon Sancho (Manchester United).
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Substitution, Manchester United. Juan Mata replaces Bruno Fernandes.
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Victor Lindelöf (Manchester United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Victor Lindelöf (Manchester United).
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Mohamed Elneny (Arsenal) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Foul by Mohamed Elneny (Arsenal).
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Scott McTominay (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Substitution, Manchester United. Jesse Lingard replaces Anthony Elanga.
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Substitution, Manchester United. Marcus Rashford replaces Nemanja Matic.
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Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Nuno Tavares (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United).
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