In a highly anticipated matchup at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal secured a 2-0 victory over Manchester United, marking Ruben Amorim’s first loss in his Premier League managerial career. Both goals came from corner routines, demonstrating Arsenal’s set-piece prowess.
The game started with an early chance for Arsenal when Gabriel Martinelli scored, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside. Despite being without the injured Gabriel Magalhaes, Arsenal pushed forward and nearly took the lead with a Thomas Partey header that went wide. The breakthrough finally came in the 54th minute when Jurrien Timber, making his mark, flicked Declan Rice’s corner past Andre Onana for his first goal for the Gunners.
Arsenal maintained their pressure, and a second goal followed in the 73rd minute. William Saliba found the net following a corner, again emphasizing Arsenal’s effectiveness from set-pieces. Manchester United struggled to create significant chances and faced mounting frustration as Arsenal capitalized on their weaknesses in dead-ball situations.
Despite the defeat, Amorim will likely take positives from the first half, where United kept Arsenal at bay and created some chances, albeit unsuccessfully. Adding to their challenges, United’s recent performance left them sitting in 11th place in the league.
After the match, Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, highlighting their resilience and energy throughout the match. Arsenal’s victory sees them close the gap to league leaders Liverpool, narrowing it to seven points, while they remain in third place, separated from Chelsea by goal difference.
The victory over Manchester United marks a historic achievement for Arsenal, as it is their fourth consecutive win against the Red Devils—a first in the club’s history. Amorim and Manchester United will be looking to regroup as they prepare to face Nottingham Forest in their next outing.
This match showcases Arsenal’s growing strength, particularly in their set-piece strategy, which could set a positive trajectory for the remainder of the season as they continue to build on their successes and aim for the top.