Arsenal 3 Man Utd 1
Mikel Arteta’s side welcomed an old enemy to The Emirates as they looked to continue their unbeaten start to the season against Erik ten Hag’s side. The Gunners spent a lot of money in the summer to strengthen their squad so they can start winning these big games to challenge for honours.
Man Utd took to the pitch in their away kit with matching tracksuit tops and looked more like a barbershop quartet than a football team. Arsenal had not lost a league game against the Red Devils in North London for six years.
Arteta’s side had the first chance of the game as Martial gifted the ball to Havertz who had an air swipe at the ball, missing it completely. Whatever possessed the Spaniard to part with £65m for the misfiring forward begs belief. Worst German export since lederhosen.
It was Havertz who gave the ball away to Eriksen which led to the ball being fed to Rashford. He squared up to the defender, dropped the shoulder to cut inside onto his right foot and buried the ball in the bottom corner.
Credit: @ManUtd
Some silky skills from Martinelli with an impressive flick, he received it back and found Odegaard in the centre of the goal who swept the ball passed Onana to equalise just 35 seconds after they had fallen behind.
The Emirates erupted like fans had just heard that a Saudi Pro League side had bid £500m for Kai Havertz. It was the last of the action in front of goal in a first half that failed to deliver the excitement all were expecting from this fixture.
Man Utd had an early chance in the second half when Martial forced a save out of Ramsdale at a tight angle before Rashford’s follow up was blocked by Ben White at the expense of a corner. Fans were left thinking ‘we haven’t had any farcical VAR action so far today’……..hold my beer.
Havertz went through the middle of Wan-Bissaka and Casemiro and the German went down like a sniper had shot him, with Anthony Taylor immediately pointing to the penalty spot. VAR reviewed it and yet again failed to have the kahunas to overturn the decision so asked their mate to go to the monitor.
It was clear that it was not a penalty and that it was pure simulation from Havertz and the penalty decision was reversed, yet no yellow card for the Arsenal player. The only way we are going to stamp out diving in the game is to start taking action against the perpetrators.
Martinelli weaved his way through a number of Man Utd players before finding Odegaard who laid it off to White whose sublime pass found Saka three yards out with only the keeper to beat. He hit it straight at Onana for an easy save.
Credit: @Arsenal
Some North London fans have recently compared Saka to Salah, stating that he is playing on the same levels as the Egyptian. They must be putting something in the water in N7 as the goal return of the two players alone is not even comparable. Only another 106 goals to go Bukayo.
Fernandes then robbed Jesus before playing it Hojlund whose brilliant flick found Casemiro. The Brazilian then fed it into the path of Garnacho who ran through on goal and beat Ramsdale for what the visitors thought was the winning goal.
Sadly for ten Hag, VAR ruled the goal to be offside and the mass celebrations by the Red Devils were to be in vain as the goal was chalked off. The game was finely poised with both sides looking for a late winner.
Arsenal forced a corner which found Rice at the back post. The visitors were ball watching as the former Hammer had time to chest the ball and then strike at goal, beating Onana at his near post. The Emirates stadium erupted as the strike hit the back of the net.
Arteta went sprinting down the line like he had heard paella was on offer at his favourite tapas bar. Arsenal were to add icing to the top of the cake as they counter attacked once again and Jesus showed composure in feigning a shot to send Dalot sliding to the shops before tucking it passed Onana in the United goal.
The Gunners were to take the three points and Man Utd’s dismal away record under their Dutch manager continued. Declan Rice was overjoyed with the victory, he chose North London as a destination to be involved in games like this.
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