Match ends, Arsenal 3, Manchester United 1.
ArsenalArsenal3Man UtdManchester United1
Arsenal scored twice in stoppage time to secure a dramatic victory over Manchester United at Emirates Stadium.
In a chaotic finale to a largely scrappy game, United first thought they had snatched three points only to see Alejandro Garnacho's 88th-minute finish ruled out for offside by the video assistant referee with the score 1-1.
The drama then switched to the other end in eight added minutes as Declan Rice's deflected shot gave Arsenal the lead before substitute Gabriel Jesus raced clear to wrap up the win as the stadium exploded in elation.
United had taken the lead in the 27th minute when Christian Eriksen's outstanding pass played in Marcus Rashford, who cut inside to send an unerring right-foot drive past Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale.
The Gunners, who had already spurned a golden chance when the struggling Kai Havertz miskicked with the goal at his mercy, were level almost instantly when captain Martin Odegaard was given too much space and sent an emphatic finish into the bottom corner.
In an encounter that rarely hit the heights despite lots of effort, Arsenal - who had seen a penalty over-turned by the VAR after referee Anthony Taylor originally ruled Havertz had been fouled - missed a glorious late opportunity when Bukayo Saka shot straight at Andre Onana.
United saw celebrations cut short with two minutes left when substitute Garnacho raced clear to score, but the VAR ruled he was just offside - opening the door for Arsenal to produce two devastating blows.
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Arsenal's late show brings vital win
Arsenal put their fans through the emotional wringer before sheer joy swept around Emirates Stadium at the sound of Taylor's final whistle.
For most of this match, the hosts could not find the pace and fluency that made them such an attractive, winning proposition last season as there was simply too much tension around their play.
Havertz continues to look an expensive luxury item, his role in the Gunners set a mysterious one, but when it mattered Mikel Arteta's side raised themselves to deliver a vital win when it looked like they would drop points for a second successive home game after being held by Fulham.
For a few moments it looked like defeat would be Arsenal's fate until VAR ruled Garnacho had gone just too soon before beating Ramsdale with a composed finish.
Rice deserved his goal, albeit one deflected off Jonny Evans at the near post, for an outstanding individual display that illustrated once again why Arteta made his ÂŁ105m signing his main summer priority.
And then Jesus showed what value he brings to Arsenal when, with United chasing an equaliser after being stunned by Rice's goal, he embarked on a weaving solo run before beating Onana.
It means Arsenal are still in touch with Manchester City and there is a real feeling of optimism going into the international break.
United suffer sucker punches
Manchester United went from believing they had fashioned a statement win at Arsenal to drooping off with heads bowed after being floored by two late sucker punches.
The anxious glances as United's players and staff waited for the VAR verdict on Garnacho's strike were followed by the disappointment of seeing it ruled out then the despair of the late surge that brought the Gunners victory.
It brought more disappointment for United in north London after their defeat at Tottenham although there was some hope in a bustling cameo debut from ÂŁ72m striker Rasmus Hojlund, who looks like he might at least give their attack some physical presence and a focal point.
The visitors were disappointing in creative areas despite Rashford's superb goal, and it is a sign of how reduced they are in defence that they ended the game with Harry Maguire, effectively cast out by manager Erik ten Hag, and 35-year-old emergency signing Jonny Evans trying to keep Arsenal at bay.
In reality, this has been a stuttering, unimpressive start to the season by United - now Ten Hag must hope the international break gives him time to get his side into gear for when they face in-form Brighton at Old Trafford in their next Premier League game.
Player of the match
Gabriel JesusGabriel Jesus
with an average of 7.42
Arsenal
Avg
Squad number9Player nameGabriel JesusAverage rating7.42
- Squad number11Player nameGabriel MartinelliAverage rating
7.35
- Squad number41Player nameRiceAverage rating
7.19
- Squad number8Player nameĂdegaardAverage rating
7.09
- Squad number7Player nameSakaAverage rating
6.59
- Squad number21Player nameFĂĄbio VieiraAverage rating
6.57
- Squad number18Player nameTomiyasuAverage rating
6.47
- Squad number2Player nameSalibaAverage rating
6.46
Squad number24Player nameNelsonAverage rating6.37
- Squad number6Player nameGabriel MagalhĂŁesAverage rating
6.29
- Squad number35Player nameZinchenkoAverage rating
6.24
- Squad number4Player nameWhiteAverage rating
6.21
- Squad number20Player nameJorginhoAverage rating
6.19
- Squad number1Player nameRamsdaleAverage rating
6.04
- Squad number29Player nameHavertzAverage rating
5.99
- Squad number14Player nameNketiahAverage rating
5.79
Manchester United
Avg
Squad number10Player nameRashfordAverage rating5.31
- Squad number14Player nameEriksenAverage rating
5.23
- Squad number17Player nameGarnachoAverage rating
5.13
Squad number20Player nameDiogo DalotAverage rating5.07
- Squad number29Player nameWan-BissakaAverage rating
5.00
- Squad number18Player nameCasemiroAverage rating
4.71
- Squad number11Player nameHøjlundAverage rating
4.70
- Squad number6Player nameLi MartĂnezAverage rating
4.67
- Squad number35Player nameEvansAverage rating
4.67
Squad number2Player nameLindelĂśfAverage rating4.62
- Squad number24Player nameOnanaAverage rating
4.58
- Squad number21Player nameAntonyAverage rating
4.31
- Squad number5Player nameMaguireAverage rating
4.21
- Squad number8Player nameBruno FernandesAverage rating
4.11
Squad number9Player nameMartialAverage rating3.99
Line-ups
Arsenal
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Ramsdale
- 4White
- 2Saliba
- 6Gabriel
- 35ZinchenkoSubstituted forTomiyasuat 76'minutes
- 8ĂdegaardSubstituted forJorginhoat 90+9'minutes
- 41Rice
- 29HavertzSubstituted forFĂĄbio Vieiraat 77'minutes
- 7SakaBooked at 40mins
- 14NketiahSubstituted forGabriel Jesusat 76'minutesBooked at 89mins
- 11MartinelliSubstituted forNelsonat 90'minutes
Substitutes
- 9Gabriel Jesus
- 10Smith Rowe
- 15Kiwior
- 18Tomiyasu
- 19Trossard
- 20Jorginho
- 21FĂĄbio Vieira
- 22Raya
- 24Nelson
Man Utd
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 24OnanaBooked at 68mins
- 29Wan-Bissaka
- 2LindelĂśfBooked at 38minsSubstituted forEvansat 84'minutes
- 6Li MartĂnezBooked at 65minsSubstituted forMaguireat 67'minutes
- 20Dalot
- 18Casemiro
- 14Eriksen
- 21AntonySubstituted forGarnachoat 84'minutes
- 8Bruno Fernandes
- 10Rashford
- 9MartialSubstituted forHøjlundat 67'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Bayindir
- 5Maguire
- 11Højlund
- 15ReguilĂłn
- 17Garnacho
- 28Pellistri
- 35Evans
- 44Gore
- 46Mejbri
- Referee:
- Anthony Taylor
- Attendance:
- 60,192
Match Stats
Home TeamArsenalAway TeamMan Utd
- Possession
- Home55%
- Away45%
- Shots
- Home17
- Away10
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away2
- Corners
- Home12
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home8
- Away7
Live Text
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Full Time
Second Half ends, Arsenal 3, Manchester United 1.
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Foul by Reiss Nelson (Arsenal).
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Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Goal!
Goal! Arsenal 3, Manchester United 1. Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by FĂĄbio Vieira with a through ball following a fast break.
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Foul by Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal).
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Jonny Evans (Manchester United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Offside, Arsenal. Jorginho tries a through ball, but Bukayo Saka is caught offside.
Substitution
Substitution, Arsenal. Jorginho replaces Martin Ădegaard.
Goal!
Goal! Arsenal 2, Manchester United 1. Declan Rice (Arsenal) right footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Bukayo Saka with a cross following a corner.
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Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Christian Eriksen.
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Attempt blocked. Martin Ădegaard (Arsenal) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Gabriel Jesus.
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Martin Ădegaard (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Christian Eriksen (Manchester United).
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Martin Ădegaard (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United).
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Foul by Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal).
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Casemiro (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Arsenal. Reiss Nelson replaces Gabriel Martinelli.
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VAR Decision: No Goal Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United.
Comments
Join the conversation
Oh, but it got much worse for them. Arsenal deservedly win 3-1. Welcome back Harry Maguire. đ đ đ
well done VAR
Still waiting for him to make a decent save tbh.
Mind the gap.
Epic end to what was a very average game.
Well done, gooners đ