Arsenal 3-1 Manchester United: What Were The Key Talking Points As The Gunners Claim A Heavyweight Victory In North London?

In what was a thrilling affair from the Emirates on Sunday afternoon, Arsenal mounted a stellar comeback in north London as they landed a 3-1 victory against Manchester United.

Despite falling 1-0 down against the run of play as Marcus Rashford powered home on the 27th minute mark, it took the Gunners just 35 seconds to drag themselves level as Martin Odegaard snatched a dramatic equaliser

While the Red Devils might have thought that they had snatched a famous late winner before Alejandro Garnacho saw his strike rulled out by VAR, Erik ten Hag would have been left heartbroken in the dying moments.

With big-money summer arrival Declan Rice powering home in the sixth-minute of stoppage time, it was eventually ex-Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus who wrapped up an iconic last-gasp win for Mikel Arteta’s young squad.

In what was a fiery affair from the Emirates on Sunday afternoon, Arsenal also cashed in on a Manchester United squad that have gained a reputation for their domestic issues away from Old Trafford.

In a showdown between two Premier League heavyweights, we have taken a look at the main talking points from Sunday’s battle at the Emirates.

Arsenal underline their mental resolve

While the Gunners might have suffered an infamous collapse at the final hurdle last season as they missed out on the chance to get their hands on a first Premier League crown since 2004, Arteta’s young squad have made it abundantly clear that they have their sights set on mounting another title charge this time around.

Eventually left heartbroken at the Emirates last weekend as they had to settle for a 2-2 draw against London rivals Fulham, it was no secret that Arsenal were seeking an immediate response here.

Despite falling 1-0 down on Sunday afternoon, Arteta will be most excited by the mental resolve that his blossoming squad showed at the Emirates.

Laying down a heavyweight marker on home soil and heading into September’s international break with what will be remembered as a famous comeback in north London, the Gunners will be looking to use Sunday’s performance as a platform to build on going forward.

The Gunners extend on their north London romp

Making what was a major statement of intent on Sunday afternoon and heading into the international break with a real boost, the Gunners also extended on what has become a rather rampant record against their historic rivals.

Landing an action-packed 3-2 win when they welcome United to north London for their most recent Premier League showdown back on January 22nd, Arteta’s title contender will be starting to wish that they could play the Red Devils on a weekly basis.

In fact, along with now winning three of their last four Premier League meetings, the Gunners also hold what is a remarkable record on home soil.

Including Sunday’s dramatic 3-1 victory, Arsenal have mustered 16 points from just Manchester United’s last six trips to the Emirates – a run that stems all the way back to December 2017.

United are struggling with a defensive crisis

While ten Hag would have been excited to see Rasmus Hojlund finally make his Manchester United debut following a £72million move from Atalanta, the Dutch tactician would have been hugely concerned by the site of Lisandro Martinez limping off with a first-half knock.

Failing to recruit a new blockbuster central defender during the summer transfer window, things were not helped earlier in the week as it was announced that French international Raphael Varane faces a lengthy stint on the sidelines.

Watching the World Cup winner suffer a heavy blow against Nottingham Forest last weekend, the Reds have confirmed that Varane could be missing for the next “few weeks”. Without either Varane and Martinez as of right now, United fans are certainly frustrated.

Hearing the final whistle on Sunday afternoon with a central defensive partnership of Harry Maguire and the returning Johnny Evans, ten Hag has a major plug that needs to be filled over the next fortnight.

Issues away from Old Trafford haunt United yet again

Along with dealing with some public defensive issues since opening up the 2023/24 campaign, the former Ajax boss will have a continued headache over what has been a continued rut while away from Old Trafford.

Suffering what was a routine 2-0 loss when they travelled to Spurs for their first away day showdown on August 19th, Manchester United are desperate to show some much-needed resolve on the road.

Losing back-to-back away contests on their travels and shipping five goals, the Red Devils have also lost four of their previous five Premier League contests away from Old Trafford continuing on from last season.

Likewise, mustering just a single top-flight victory on their travels from any of their previous six attempts – a run that stems all the way back to April 16th – ten Hag will be more than aware that he has a real job on his hands.

Match Report

Arsenal: Ramsdale, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Odegaard, Rice, Havertz, Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli

Subs: Tomiyasu, Jesus, Nelson, Jorginho, Vieira

Manchester United: Onana, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Martinez, Dalot, Casemiro, Eriksen, Rashford, Fernandes, Antony, Martial

Subs: Maguire, Hojlund, Evans, Garnacho

Goals: Arsenal: Odegaard (28’), Rice (90+6’), Jesus (90+11’) – Manchester United: Rashford (27’)

Yellow Cards: Arsenal: Saka, Jesus – Manchester United: Onana, Martinez, Lindelof

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Anthony Taylor