LONDON — Arsenal beat Manchester United 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday to breath new life into their title challenge.
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The Gunners now have some much-needed momentum as their fans sang “set-piece again ole ole!” and the north London side have their swagger back.
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Second half set-piece goals from Jurrien Timber and William Saliba did the damage, as Mikel Arteta’s side have won three-straight Premier League games for the first time this season and they’re just seven points behind leaders Liverpool.
[ MORE: Ruben Amorim reaction | Mikel Arteta reaction ]
Ruben Amorim has now tasted his first defeat as Manchester United boss, as the Red Devils had a couple of chances but were overrun in the second half.
With the win Arsenal move on to 28 points, while United remain on 19 points.
Set pieces crucial as Arsenal build momentum
Arsenal are absolutely incredible from set pieces and those small details have got them back in the title race. No team has scored more set piece goals than Arsenal since the start of last season. Rice and Saka whip in delicious corners and the patience Arsenal have to set it up and then execute with towering players crashing the net is the perfect storm. Every time they had a corner against United the whole stadium expected a goal. That is how good they are at this and mentally opponents are flummoxed and expecting to concede at least one from a set piece against Arsenal. The fear factor is back when you play against Arsenal and they have momentum ahead of a hectic period of games. This is the perfect time to prove they are properly back in the title race.
What’s next?
Arsenal head to Fulham on Sunday. Man United host Forest on Saturday.
Arsenal vs Manchester United score: 2-0
Timber 54', Saliba 73'
Arsenal vs Manchester United live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright at Emirates Stadium
Merino heads wide!
This is becoming a joke now. Merino is completely free but heads wide from six yards out. Almost another goal from a corner kick for Arsenal. The Arsenal fans are singing “set piece again ole ole!”
Saliba finishes at the back post! - Arsenal 2-0 Manchester United
Saka’s corner to the back post finds Thomas Partey. He heads it back and it hits William Saliba on the backside and flies in. This place has gone wild!
What a save from David Raya!
After Diallo won a free kick on the right, it’s clipped in and De Ligt powers a header towards the far top corner. Raya then springs to his left and acrobatically pushes it away. United’s best chance of the game.
Jurrien Timber heads home a corner! - Arsenal 1-0 Manchester United
Yet another goal from a set piece for Arsenal! Rice’s corner is to the near post and Timber flicks it on perfectly from close range.
Diallo on for Malacia at half time
We are back underway for the second half and United have made one sub. Diallo is on for Malacia at left wing-back. That should give United more attacking impetus and threat.
Half time: Arsenal 0-0 Manchester United
That first half never really got going here at the Emirates. Arsenal had a few chances from corners but United were solid, kept the ball well and looked dangerous on the break when they played it long. Not a classic. So far.
Dalot drills a shot inches wide
United almost take the lead! Mount’s shot is so off target it actually falls to Maguire way past the back post. He cuts it back to Dalot and he drills a shot inches wide of the far post.
Martinelli fires over as a corner causes chaos
Saka’s corner drops to Zinchenko at the back post. His shot is blocked, then Martinelli smashes the loose ball over the top. Arsenal building some pressure as the rain pours down.
United are keeping the ball well
Amorim wanted United to keep the ball well and try to be “brave” and frustrate Arsenal and they’re doing it. United are slowing the tempo of the game down and Arsenal aren’t enjoying that.
Partey should put Arsenal 1-0 up!
A corner from the right finds Thomas Partey at the near post but he completely misses his header, the ball hits his shoulder and then goes out for a goal kick.
We are off at the Emirates! What a noise!
What a great atmosphere here! Arsenal have the ball in the net through Martinelli but Havertz was clearly offside. Still, good pressing from Arsenal early.
🔥 It is LOUDDDD here at the Emirates! Welcome to north London!
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) December 4, 2024
WATCH Arsenal vs Manchester United live here + video, analysis, reaction & more ➡️ https://t.co/ZBlo1kfFQv
3 things I want to see in #AFC v #MUFC ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/tPtbVOT5dt
Welcome to north London! It’s a cold and clear evening and both teams are fired up to keep their recent good form going. Can Arsenal make it three-straight league wins for the first time this season? Can United make it back-to-back wins for the first time this season?
🚨Arsenal vs Manchester United. Brilliant evening for a game here in North London. #AFC #MUFC pic.twitter.com/ie9W7OfY97
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) December 4, 2024
Arsenal lineup
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Manchester United lineup
Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Maguire; Dalot, Ugarte, Fernandes, Malacia; Mount, Garnacho; Hojlund
How to watch Arsenal vs Manchester United live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3:15pm ET, Wednesday (December 4)
Venue: Emirates Stadium — London
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Watch live on Peacock
Arsenal team news, focus
Jorginho could start in midfield again with Merino and Partey struggling with injury. Calafiori and Timber have been excellent at left and right back respectively, but will Arteta start them both on Wednesday? Zinchenko could come in but Arteta is reluctant to change his first-choice side. Havertz up top and Trossard and Saka out wide is most likely but Martinelli could come in on the left for Trossard to keep things fresh.
OUT: Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee), Ben White (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Mikel Merino (knee), Thomas Partey (muscle)
Manchester United team news, focus
Casemiro is doing his best to hold things down in midfield but perhaps Manuel Ugarte will come in for this game with Mainoo suspended. Harry Maguire may start at center back with Lisandro Martinez suspended too but young center back Leny Yoro is fit again and could make a surprise start. Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo have all really turned up since Amorim arrived. United also have strong competition up front with both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee showing off their finishing skills in recent wins.
OUT: Victor Lindelof (groin), Lisandro Martinez (suspension), Kobbie Mainoo (suspension), Luke Shaw (muscle) | QUESTIONABLE: Jonny Evans (knock)
Arsenal vs Manchester United prediction
When Arsenal are flowing like this in attack there is very little you can do. However, they still give up big chances in games which will give United hope. Amorim’s side will come out and have a go in stages of the game but Arsenal are close to being back to their best and will get the job done. Arsenal 3-1 Manchester United.
Arsenal vs Manchester United preview
The Gunners have seen their offense explode in recent games, as they won 3-0 against Nottingham Forest, 5-1 at Sporting Lisbon and then 5-2 at West Ham on Saturday. That runs has coincided with the return of Martin Odegaard as he and Bukayo Saka have been ripping teams to shreds. With Premier League leaders Liverpool nine points clear of Arsenal, Mikel Arteta’s side have some serious work to do but they are definitely still in this title race.
Manchester United are definitely in the top four race, which we didn’t think we would be saying a few weeks ago. Ruben Amorim secured his first Premier League win as their new manager at the weekend as United hammered Everton 4-0 at home as they made the most of some big defensive mistakes and showed off their new high-pressing style. There is still plenty of room for improvement but United are only six points behind Arsenal heading into this game.
