Arsenal and Manchester United put on an entertaining encounter at the Emirates Stadium with the hosts coming out on top late on after Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus’s injury-time goals. The Gunners gained the early momentum and piled the pressure on Erik ten Hag’s men only for a quick counterattack to play Marcus Rashford in on goal.
The Independent Reported Marcus Rashford cut inside from the left wing and smoked a wonderful finish into the far side of the goal to send the visitors ahead in the first half. United barely had time to celebrate though before Arsenal swept down the left wing and the impressive Gabriel Martinelli pulled the ball into the middle of the box for Martin Odegaard to score the equaliser. After the break Kai Havertz thought he’d won a penalty when he was clipped into the box by Aaron Wan-Bissaka but VAR overturned the initial decision on the field. Man Utd substitute Alejandro Garnacho thought he’d won the game two minutes before the end only for VAR to adjudge him offside.
Eight minutes of stoppage time were announced as Rice met a corner kick from Bukayo Saka, chested it down and his low effort beat Andre Onana. To cap off the performance Jesus added a third and decided the match in Arsenal’s favour.
Declan Rice rises to the moment as Arsenal avoid disastrous slip-up
Declan Rice has his first big moment in an Arsenal shirt, and their season may have lift-off. His 96th-minute goal to give Mikel Arteta’s side a late 3-1 win over Manchester United was all the more uplifting for the home crowd and all the better for him because neither he nor the home side had been at their best. It was an erratic game.
How that Declan Rice winner looked from pitchside 🫨 pic.twitter.com/TCO9X7MiMA
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 3, 2023
Mikel Arteta speaking to Sky Sports
Mikel Arteta shared his thoughts after the fixture and before the fixture he had indicated that he was jealous he could not play as he relishes the fixture.
“We work and do everything for moments like this. This is sport at the top level; it is about the small margins. It could have gone either way.
“I am really happy obviously. They are a great team, really well coached and they make life difficult for you. When we gave the goal away that we did you are always up against it and in the Premier League that’s dangerous.”
Man United boss, Erik ten Hag, speaking to Sky Sports
Erik Ten Hag stated
“The performance was alright from us. I thought we played a very good game but everything went against us – you don’t win the game.
“We needed a little bit more luck to win the game. It [Garnacho’s goal] was not offside – it was the wrong angle. It was then a penalty on Hojlund and then we conceded a goal that was a foul on Jonny Evans. It’s so clear and obvious.
“You can say you need to finish your chances and that you shouldn’t concede a goal after going 1-0 up. This is all true, but I was happy with the performance.”
