In a thrilling encounter at Emirates Stadium, Arsenal snatched a dramatic victory over Manchester United with two goals in stoppage time. The match was marked by controversial VAR decisions and a chaotic finale that left fans on the edge of their seats.
The game started with Manchester United taking the lead in the 27th minute, courtesy of Marcus Rashford’s clinical finish. Christian Eriksen’s exceptional pass set up Rashford, who cut inside and unleashed a powerful right-footed shot past Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
However, Arsenal responded almost instantly when captain Martin Odegaard capitalized on too much space and buried a emphatic finish into the bottom corner of the net. The Gunners had earlier missed a golden opportunity when Kai Havertz failed to convert with the goal at his mercy.
The match remained scrappy and lacked the fluidity expected from both teams. Arsenal had a penalty overturned by VAR after referee Anthony Taylor initially awarded a foul on Havertz. As the game approached its conclusion, substitute Alejandro Garnacho appeared to have secured victory for Manchester United with an 88th-minute goal, only for VAR to rule it out for offside.
The dramatic turn of events shifted the momentum in Arsenal’s favor. In the dying moments of the game, Declan Rice’s shot took a deflection off Jonny Evans and found the back of the net, giving Arsenal the lead. The stadium erupted in elation as substitute Gabriel Jesus sealed the win with a brilliant solo run and finish.
Arsenal’s performance throughout the match was far from their best, lacking the pace and fluency that characterized their successful campaign last season. However, when it mattered most, Mikel Arteta’s side showed resilience and determination to secure a vital victory, avoiding dropping points for the second consecutive home game.
The late goals from Rice and Jesus showcased the value they bring to the team. Rice’s outstanding individual display highlighted why Arteta made him the club’s main summer signing, while Jesus demonstrated his ability to make a significant impact off the bench.
For Manchester United, the disappointment was palpable. They went from believing they had secured a statement win to suffering two late sucker punches. The VAR ruling out Garnacho’s goal and the subsequent surge from Arsenal left United deflated.
United’s creative output was lackluster, despite Rashford’s superb goal. The defensive line, featuring Harry Maguire and emergency signing Jonny Evans, struggled to contain Arsenal’s attacks. The team’s start to the season has been underwhelming, and manager Erik ten Hag will need to regroup during the international break to prepare for their next Premier League game against in-form Brighton at Old Trafford.
The victory keeps Arsenal within touching distance of league leaders Manchester City, instilling a sense of optimism among fans as they head into the international break. The Gunners will be hoping to build on this thrilling win and continue their pursuit of success in the Premier League.