By Olaitan Ibrahim
Arsenal ended Manchester United’s unbeaten run under coach Rúben Amorim with a commanding 2-0 victory.
The Gunners showcased a dominant performance, securing crucial goals to silence the Red Devils and maintain their momentum in the Premier League title race.
Goals from Jurrien Timber and William Saliba gave Arsenal victory at the Emirates on Wednesday night.
500th Emirates Game
Arsenal marked their 500th competitive men’s game at the Emirates Stadium with a historic 2-0 win over Manchester United, securing their fourth consecutive victory over the Red Devils for the first time ever. Goals from Jurrien Timber and William Saliba, both stemming from set-piece situations, delivered the crucial points that cut the gap at the top of the Premier League table to just seven points.
Cagey First Half
The atmosphere was electric as fans reminisced about previous iconic encounters against Manchester United, such as last season’s stoppage-time triumph and Thierry Henry’s late heroics. However, this time, there was no need for late drama.
Ruben Amorim’s revamped United side initially frustrated the Gunners. Early signs of promise came when Kai Havertz set up Gabriel Martinelli to score, only for the goal to be ruled offside. Thomas Partey also squandered a golden chance from a Declan Rice corner, while Oleksandr Zinchenko and Martinelli saw efforts blocked or narrowly miss the target.
Manchester United, struggling on the road with just one win in their last eight away games, offered little in attack. Their best chance of the half came in the 41st minute when Diogo Dalot’s shot flashed across the face of goal, leaving Arsenal hearts briefly in their mouths.
Timber Breaks Deadlock
The second half saw Arsenal come out with renewed purpose, and it took just eight minutes to break the deadlock. Declan Rice delivered a wicked corner to the near post, and Jurrien Timber timed his run perfectly to glance the ball past Bruno Fernandes and Rasmus Hojlund, netting his first goal for the Gunners.
Moments later, Rice nearly forced an own goal from Joshua Kirkzee, but United were spared by Manuel Ugarte, who cleared the ball off the line.
Saliba Seals Victory
With Manchester United pressing for an equalizer, David Raya showcased his goalkeeping prowess with a stunning save to deny Matthijs de Ligt’s header destined for the top corner. That save proved pivotal as Arsenal doubled their lead just five minutes later.
Bukayo Saka delivered a pinpoint corner to the back post, where Partey headed it back into the danger zone. The ball ricocheted off William Saliba’s back and into the net, giving Arsenal a comfortable two-goal cushion.
The Gunners continued to press for a third, with Kai Havertz going one-on-one with Andre Onana only to see his effort deflected wide. Mikel Merino also came close to adding to United’s misery but missed by mere inches.
A Perfect Celebration
As the final whistle blew, Arsenal fans erupted in celebration, not only for the victory but also for the milestone of 500 games at their iconic stadium. The win marked the perfect conclusion to a historic chapter at the Emirates, with Manchester United leaving empty-handed for the fourth consecutive visit.
What’s Next for Arsenal?
The Gunners will look to maintain their momentum when they face Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday. Following that, they return to Champions League action against Monaco on December 11, before hosting Everton at the Emirates on December 14.
With four consecutive wins and a top-four spot within reach, Arsenal’s season is gaining momentum at just the right time.