Arsenal 2-0 Manchester United: Gunners hand Amorim first defeat

Ruben Amorim was handed his first Premier League defeat as Manchester United were beaten 2-0 by Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.

After being frustrated in the first half by United, the hosts found the breakthrough when Jurrien Timber glanced Declan Rice’s corner beyond Andre Onana in the 54th minute.

Arsenal doubled their lead in similar fashion, this time from the opposite side when Bukayo Saka’s back-post delivery was headed back across by Thomas Partey, with William Saliba providing the finishing touch.

Kai Havertz almost put the hosts further in front but was thwarted by Onana, with substitute Mikel Merino also nearly scoring from another corner moments later.

Despite victory, Arsenal drop to third after Chelsea’s 5-1 thrashing of Southampton, but they closed the gap to leaders Liverpool to seven points, while United are 11th.

BIG WIN IN N5 pic.twitter.com/tS7QJkbGbu

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 4, 2024

Data Debrief: Corner Kings

Arsenal are known for the threat they possess from set-pieces, especially corners, and that weapon proved crucial in getting a much-needed win to keep their title hopes alive.

The Gunners have now scored more goals from corners (22) than any other team in the Premier League since the start of last season, with both of their goals on Wednesday coming this way. 10 of those have opened the scoring in a match, which is also a league-high figure in this period.

It was also a happy 50th Premier League appearance at Arsenal for Rice after he notched the assist for the opener. Since the start of last season, no player has recorded more assists from set plays than the England international (seven, level with Saka).

For Amorim, meanwhile, he suffered his first league defeat since December 2023 (Sporting CP 2-3 Vitoria Guimaraes), with the defeat at the Emirates ending a 34-game unbeaten run for the Portuguese coach in league competition (W31 D3).