EDDIE NKETIAH’S winner has given Arsenal all three points in a thriller against Manchester United.
The Red Devils took the lead and then thought they had a point, but two goals from Nketiah and a stunner from Bukayo Saka saw the Gunners maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League table.
Lisandro Martinez netted his first goal for United, while Rashford’s opener was a stunner for the ages, but Arsenal proved in the last half hour why they are at the summit of the table.
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Surprise package at halfway point
As Arsenal officially reach the middle of their season, their return of 50 points from 19 games really sets the benchmark for the rest of the league.
If anyone wishes to dethrone The Gunners, they will need to aim for something similar in the second half of the Premier League season.
As it stands, Mikel Arteta’s side show no signs of letting up, but their next five games will be their toughest test to date.
Guardiola and co are waiting in the wings to take on the pretenders to their throne.
Testing time ahead for Gunners
While Mikel Arteta’s side keep passing the tests that are thrown in front of them, the next five games will prove integral to their ambitions on winning the title.
The re-arranged game against the reigning champions thrown in the mix, they travel to both Everton and Aston Villa also.
That added with two games against Man City, could really dictate how the rest of their season is going to go.
Skipper creates Messiah complex
Martin Odegaard has become an integral part to this Arsenal side as he pulls the strings for Arteta.
He manages to effect the game in key areas, linking the midfield with the attacking line.
Putting pressure on the United defence, his bursting runs penned the visitors into their own box, creating space for the players around him.
Ready Eddie steps up for Gunners
The world around them was seemingly crashing down around them when Arsenal fans heard the news of Gabriel Jesus’ knee injury.
Gunners’ fans feared they lacked the firepower to replace their new signing in the final third.
However, Eddie Nketiah is proving all the critics wrong as he continues he provide the important goals to keep his side moving towards some long-awaited silverware.
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun FT: Arsenal 3-2 Man Utd
As ‘Rockin’ All Over the World’ rings out the speaker system at The Emirates, the Arsenal squad celebrate their win.
Five points clear at the top of the table, it is surely in Arsenal’s hands now to break the normal status quo of the Premier League.
As the stats show, they dominated the game, had they not shot like stormtroopers it could have been a completely different scoreline for Arteta’s side.
FT: Arsenal 3-2 Man Utd
The referee brings the game to a close.
Arsenal reach fifty points for the Premier League season.
What a huge win this is for Mikel Arteta and his team.
Arsenal 3-2 Man Utd
90+4. Garnacho has come on for the visitors.
Desperate to find an equalising goal in what time is left.
Holding comes on for Odegaard for The Gunners.
Nketiah looks to run the clock down in the corner.
Arsenal 3-2 Man Utd
90+2. The goal stands and The Emirates erupts.
Arsenal will be stretching their lead at the top of the table.
What a time to score a winning goal from Nketiah.
Credit: Reuters Arsenal 3-2 Man Utd
90. Huge moment in this game as VAR checks this one.
Whether Zinchenko is offside is the question.
The lines are being drawn as we speak.
Goal – Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal)
Arsenal 2-2 Man Utd
88. The replays show what a great chance that was for Eddie Nketiah.
Had he put it either side of David de Gea it was surely a goal.
Meanwhile, United have a corner with a chance to land their own late blow.
As Arsenal look to break at pace, Wan-Bissaka is penalised for a foul on the England wide man.
Arsenal 2-2 Man Utd
86. The free kick is delivered into the box and a group of players go up for the ball.
It ricochets off McTominay and into the path of Nketiah.
He turns and shoots but de Gea pulls off a wonderful save down to his left.
Big chance.
Arsenal 2-2 Man Utd – Shaw yellow card
84. Trossard comes on for his debut, replacing Martinelli.
Chance to make a name for himself in front of the Arsenal faithful here.
Shaw is shown a yellow card for a hefty challenge on Saka.
Arsenal 2-2 Man Utd
82. Arsenal are starting to turn the screw now.
United just cannot clear the ball at all.
Last chance saloon defending from the visitors.
Fernandes is on the ground holding his head, so play is stopped.
Credit: AFP Arsenal 2-2 Man Utd
80. Martinelli tries a shot from distance but it is headed clear by Martinez for a corner.
Saka’s ball is headed clear but Nketiah tries to beat Wan-Bissaka in the box who slides in and wins the ball.
A lot of the ground were already screaming for a penalty but that was a fair challenge by the ex-Crystal Palace man.
Arsenal 2-2 Man Utd
78. It is getting to that time of the game now where if you do want to win this, you need to do something magical.
Rashford almost capitalises on a loose pass back towards Ramsdale with the England forward going to ground.
VAR checked the incident and there is no case to answer.
Arsenal 2-2 Man Utd
76. Arsenal send out the subs to get warmed up.
Arteta may be tempted to bring new signing Trossard on to try and get that winning goal.
The Spaniard didn’t make any changes in search of the three points against Newcastle here recently.
Arsenal 2-2 Man Utd
74. Arsenal are trying to exert some pressure on United.
Switching play back and fore to try and find the right ball.
United are managing to keep the door closed however.
Arsenal 2-2 Man Utd
72. Great crossfield ball is controlled by Martinelli out on the touchline.
He beats two United players and darts into the box but slightly overhits the ball and is beaten to the ball.
Great inventive play by the Brazilian.
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun Arsenal 2-2 Man Utd – Saka chance
70. For the neutral, a draw opens the title race up more.
No one wants to see a big gap at the top of the table.
Although, anyone stopping Man City’s stranglehold of the title is never a bad thing.
Saka tries the same again but this time Eriksen gets a slight deflection which takes it onto the outside of the post.
Antony comes off for Fred for United.
Arsenal 2-2 Man Utd
68. Partey is penalised for a trip on Weghorst.
United break with Shaw down the left which Tomiyasu blocks for a throw in.
It looks like Fred is going to be coming on for the visitors.
Arsenal 2-2 Man Utd – Odegaard chance
66. United will be pleased with their ability to get back into this game after being a goal down to the league leaders.
Showing more grit in their game from where they have been in previous seasons.
Arsenal are struggling to play through the United press.
Odegaard finds the ball break to him just inside the box but his shot is blocked by Christian Eriksen.
Arsenal 2-2 Man Utd
64. It has become very scrappy all of a sudden.
Both sides are trying to get forward at all costs.
This game has more goals in it the way it is being played this afternoon.
Credit: Reuters Arsenal 2-2 Man Utd
62. Martinez’s goal has silenced the home contingent.
With still half an hour to go, this game could go either way.
United are starting to press Arsenal high up the pitch and are getting some joy from this Gunners’ defence.
Arsenal 2-2 Man Utd
60. Eriksen’s corner isn’t dealt with by Ramsdale.
Martinez dives in to head the ball, looping it over the keeper and players in his way.
That is a huge goal for Erik ten Hag’s side.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
