Rice, Jesus give Arsenal win over Man Utd in dying minutes

Marcus Rashford gave the visitors the lead against the run of play in the first half but Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard equalised seconds later.

The Gunners had a penalty award overturned following a VAR check and United were denied what could have been a late winner when substitute Alejandro Garnacho was ruled offside.

The home side kept up the pressure in eight minutes of added time and were rewarded when Rice controlled a corner and shot past Andre Onana with the help of a deflection off Jonny Evans.

There was still time for another goal as substitute Jesus burst forward, teasing Onana before putting the ball in the net. The result leaves Arsenal fifth in the table after their third win in four games, two points behind leaders Manchester City, while United are 11th in the table.

 

September 3, 2023

Fast start

Earlier, Arsenal shot out of the blocks, pinning United back in the warm September sunshine. The home side should have taken the lead in the 13th minute but new signing Kai Havertz miskicked horrendously from inside the area with the goal at his mercy.

Arsenal continued to dominate, pressing high and forcing United into awkward situations at the back. The game exploded into life shortly before the half-hour mark when United took the lead against the run of play after a speedy counter-attack.

Christian Eriksen picked up a loose ball in midfield and burst forward, producing a perfectly weighted pass for Rashford, running down the left-hand channel.

The England forward, largely anonymous in the early stages, cut inside and past two defenders before unleashing a shot past the despairing dive of Aaron Ramsdale.

But the Gunners were level just a minute later when Odegaard, unmarked in the area, blasted home from just inside the box after being found by the impressive Gabriel Martinelli. But for all the home side's enterprising play, they mustered just one shot on target in the first half.

Arsenal were the quicker to settle after the break and were awarded a penalty just before the hour mark when Havertz tumbled in the box after being sandwiched between Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Casemiro but referee Anthony Taylor overturned his decision following a VAR check.

United boss Erik ten Hag gave new signing Rasmus Hojlund his first action in a United shirt, bringing on the Denmark forward for Martial in the 67th minute, also introducing former captain Harry Maguire for Lisandro Martinez.

Martinelli curled a shot just wide as Arsenal continued to look the more likely winners, but United looked dangerous on the break. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta made three changes, including bringing on Jesus for the lively Nketiah.

Garnacho appeared to have won the game for United in the 88th minute but VAR ruled he was marginally off-side. United lost all six matches away to other members of the top seven last season, conceding 3.66 goals per away match on average and Sunday's result spells more away-day misery.

 

September 3, 2023