Super Gunners into top four after 3-1 win over Manchester United caps perfect week

Arsenal 3

Manchester United 1

Granit Xhaka’s 20-yard thunderbolt capped a perfect week for Arsenal as they moved into the top four with a 3-1 win over Manchester United at the Emirates this lunchtime.

Goals from Nuno Tavares, who is certainly better going forwards than he is backwards, and a penalty from the impressive Bukayo Saka had put the Gunners 2-0 up midway through the first half.

Cristiano Ronaldo pulled one back for United before the break, and the visitors then missed a penalty of their own through Bruno Fernandes during a dominant start to the second half, before Xhaka sealed the deal.

Left-back Tavares gave Arsenal the perfect start after just three minutes. When a cross from the left was completely misjudged by both Alex Telles and Raphael Varane, it fell to Bukayo Saka who cut inside and curled a shot towards the far post which was saved by David de Gea, but Tavares was there to tap in the rebound.

Minutes later Ronaldo played in Anthony Elanga, but his shot was beaten away by Aaron Ramsdale, before the Arsenal stopper made a complete hash of a clearance and was only saved by Gabriel, who got a toe to Fernandes’ shot when a goal seemed certain for United.

At the other end Arsenal had a decent opportunity from a free-kick just outside the box but it was wasted by Martin Odegaard, while Ronaldo shot over the bar for the visitors.

United were finally getting into gear midway through the first half and were close to an equaliser when Diogo Dalot hit the bar from 25 yards.

It was end to end stuff by now, and Arsenal should have been two up just a minute later. Odegaard’s lovely back flick found Eddie Nketiah, the two-goal hero against Chelsea in midweek, but this time he rushed his shot, which was beaten away by de Gea.

But seconds later there was an astonishing turn of events. First it appeared Nketiah had atoned for his error by putting the Gunners 2-0 up. But the goal was ruled out for offside.

However after a lengthy VAR check it was adjudged that both Nketiah was offside in the build-up yet Telles had fouled Saka in exactly the same move. No goal, but penalty.

Saka got up, stepped up and did finally make it 2-0.

However on 34 minutes United were back in it. Nemanja Matic’s cross found Ronaldo who poked home for 2-1.

Just as on Wednesday, Arsenal were constantly threatening going forward, yet vulnerable at the back. The policy of playing out from Ramsdale does not work with many of these players, and has cost the Gunners dear on numerous occasions.

Mohamed Elneny is no Thomas Partey in the middle of the park. The Gunners really do miss Partey and Kieran Tierney – the former due back shortly but the latter out for the season.

Telles drew a save from Ramsdale in first-half stoppage time – as did the impressive Odegaard from de Gea.

Tavares worked a shooting opportunity for himself early in the second half, but his effort was rash - and high and wide.

Then came the crucial play of the whole game. Tavares’ arm was ridiculously high as a cross came in from the left and, when the ball struck it, referee Craig Pawson had no option but to point to the spot.

However Bruno’s stuttering run-up ended with him missing the spot-kick to the left of the Clock End goal.

But United were getting into gear. Elanga drew a save low down from Ramsdale before Ronaldo had a volley ruled out for offside.

Dalot then hit the post after he was played in by Ronaldo, and at this stage it was all United.

But on 70 minutes, and completely against the run of the second half play, Xhaka unleashed his shot to send the Emirates into ecstasy.

United gave the ball away cheaply and when it fell to Xhaka, his effort was the sweetest of strike and gave de Gea no chance.

Top four is now between the north London rivals. United came only really now hope for sixth.

Over to Spurs.

Teams:

Arsenal: Ramsdale, White, Gabriel, Saka (Holding, 74), Odegaard, Smith Rowe (Martinelli, 63), Soares (Tomiyasu, 90 +1), Tavares, Elneny, Nketiah, Xhakha

Manchester United: de Gea, Lindelof, Ronaldo, Fernandes (Mata, 84), Varane, Dalot, Sancho, Telles, Matic (Rashford, 78),, Elanga (Lingard, 78), McTominay

Referee: Craig Pawson