Manchester United’s 10-game unbeaten run came to an end at the Emirates Stadium, as Eddie Nketiah’s late strike condemned the Reds to a Premier League defeat.
Erik ten Hag’s side took an early lead in North London thanks to Marcus Rashford’s 17th goal of the season, but Eddie Nketiah’s header levelled matters eight minutes later.
The ever-dangerous Bukayo Saka then put the Gunners ahead with just eight minutes remaining in the second half, curling an effort past the on-rushing David De Gea. Lisandro Martinez’s clever looping header eluded William Saliba’s best efforts, bringing the Reds level heading into the final 30 minutes.
But it was to be heartbreak late on, as Nketiah’s second goal of the afternoon gave Mikel Arteta’s side all three points in a nail-biter. United had an early penalty shout waved away after Aaron Ramsdale collided with Bruno Fernandes after only six minutes at the Emirates. Referee Anthony Taylor dismissed our stand-in captain’s claims early on after our no.8 slipped in behind the Gunners’ backline.
Soon after, Rashford came on to give the Reds an emphatic lead after some sloppy passing from the hosts handed possession back to Ten Hag’s side. Fernandes’s clever pass into our no.10’s feet gave him time and space to drive forward, dribbling past Thomas Partey before smashing a low drive past Aaron Ramsdale. Our slim lead in North London lasted only seven minutes before the current league leaders equalised through Nketiah. After some neat build-up play, Granit Xhaka picked out a cross on the left side, before the Arsenal forward was found unmarked to head home the equaliser.
With 28 minutes played, Ramsdale had to palm away Scott McTominay’s long-range drive as both teams continued to press for a crucial go-ahead goal. Wout Weghorst’s tireless running forced Arsenal back, causing initial problems with our high press in forward areas. As the first 45 minutes wore on, our Dutch forward attempted to help piece together play between United’s midfield and attack, but the score remained level at the break
Arsenal took the lead early in the second period thanks to Saka, who found time and space to shift the ball onto his left foot before firing a low drive past De Gea.
Eriksen's weaknesses were exposed today due to no Casemiro, and McTominay did very little in and out of possession.
Manchester United missed Casemiro it was so obvious. Massive downgrade without him. pic.twitter.com/P8MW41Hzqu
— UtdFaithfuls (@UtdFaithfuls) January 22, 2023
Rashford sought an immediate response and a subsequent second of the afternoon. Our in-form forward cut inside brilliantly before Ramsdale smartly kept his deflected effort out. United drew level with just over 30 minutes remaining in North London, thanks to Martinez’s first goal for the club. After Arsenal’s no.1 failed to deal with a Christian Eriksen corner, our no.6’s looping header sailed over William Saliba to set up a thrilling final 30 minutes.
Arteta’s team gained momentum once more as the game teetered on the brink of collapse. Eriksen was vital in intercepting Martin Odegaard’s left-footed strike at goal and deflecting it clear.
Over on the right, Saka was proving to be a real thorn in the Reds’ side. The 21-year-old cut inside onto his preferred left foot once more, his effort deflecting off Eriksen before hitting the post and trickling out of play.
De Gea brilliantly denied Nketiah as the hosts continued to press late on. Our Spanish shot-stopper was on hand to keep the scores level after falling fortuitously at Arsenal’s no.14’s feet. However, there was late drama at the Emirates, with Nketiah scoring late to deny Ten Hag’s men. Oleksandr Zinchenko’s cross found Xhaka’s feet before his goal-bound effort fell kindly to the Arsenal forward, who tapped home from close range to secure the three points for the hosts.
