Timber Opens the Scoring
The game remained evenly poised in the first half, with Manchester United defending resolutely. However, Arsenal broke the deadlock in the 54th minute when Declan Rice delivered a precise corner that Jurrien Timber headed in at the near post.

Saliba Secures the Win
Arsenal doubled their lead with another corner in the 66th minute. Thomas Partey’s header deflected off William Saliba’s back, wrong-footing United goalkeeper Andre Onana and sealing the Gunners’ victory.

Dominance in Set-Pieces
Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal have become a force to reckon with from set-pieces, scoring 22 goals from corners since the start of last season—more than any other Premier League side. Both goals against United showcased their expertise, as the visitors struggled to cope with Arsenal’s dead-ball precision despite preparing extensively for such situations during warm-ups.

Arsenal’s Hot Streak
The win marked Arsenal’s 500th match at the Emirates and their first time winning three league games in a row this season. The return of captain Martin Odegaard has coincided with a five-match unbeaten streak, reigniting the Gunners’ title hopes as they sit third in the table, seven points behind Liverpool.

Frustration for Amorim
For Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, this was his first league defeat since December 2023, ending a remarkable 34-game unbeaten streak in league competitions across two clubs. Despite organizing his team well in the first half, the visitors fell apart under Arsenal’s relentless pressure after the break.

Promising Debut for Yoro
A positive takeaway for United was the debut of 19-year-old defender Leny Yoro, who showed promise despite the result. Amorim will look to build on such performances as he aims to elevate United’s fortunes.

What’s Next?
Arsenal will look to maintain their momentum when they visit Fulham next. Meanwhile, Manchester United will aim to bounce back when they host Nottingham Forest.