One of the oldest rivalries in football was renewed in Sunday’s late Premier League kick off as Arsenal hosted Manchester United.
Arsenal headed into the game having dropped points to Fulham last week, while Manchester United had won two and lost one of their first three matches of 2023/24.
When all was said and done at the Emirates, Arsenal came out on top.
It was a scrappy opening to the game, with Arsenal dominating the possession somewhat.
Arsenal should have scored after 12 minutes when a failed clearance fell to Kai Havertz who swang and missed the ball.
“He had a swing at it and made a right mess!” 🎯
Kai Havertz misses a golden chance to give Arsenal the lead against Man Utd! ❌ pic.twitter.com/7nW1hDHsBO
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 3, 2023
The first shot on target of the game came after 26 minutes and was also the opening goal:
Marcus Rashford with a GEM of a goal to put Man Utd ahead at Arsenal! pic.twitter.com/LLg6R2y7ZT
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 3, 2023
And just like that Arsenal are back in it! 😲
Martin Ødegaard leading by example for the Gunners 🫡
GAME ON! 😃 pic.twitter.com/n1mA0U6PFJ
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 3, 2023
United nearly added a second goal after 54 minutes but an Aaron Ramsdale save and a William Saliba block kept out efforts from Anthony Martial and Rashford.
Arsenal were then awarded a penalty shortly before the hour mark after Kai Havertz was brought down by Aaron Wan-Bissaka but the ref overturned it after going to the VAR screen.
Man United escaped the penalty claim but lost Lisandro Martinez to injury minutes later, with Harry Maguire coming on in his place.
Bukayo Saka had a huge chance in the 80th minute but Andre Onan made a good block.
But it was Manchester United who thought they had the late winner thanks to substitute Ganracho, who was played in by Casemiro and slotted past Ramsdale. But the Argentine’s goal was ruled out for the smallest of offsides.
Arsenal scored the winner in the 96th minute after Declan Rice’s shot was deflected in off Jonny Evans.
“DECLAN RICE, A GUNNER FOR LIFE”
Unbelievable scenes as Declan Rice SURELY gets the winner?! 🔴 pic.twitter.com/Uu9MfS8qkA
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 3, 2023
Gabriel Jesus then scored a third in the 100th minute to ensure the win.
📰 Table Of Contents
Player ratings
Arsenal
- GK: Aaron Ramsdale (6)
- RB: Ben White (6)
- CB: William Saliba (6.5)
- CB: Gabriel (6)
- LB: Oleksandr Zinchenko (6)
- CM: Declan Rice (8)
- CM: Kai Havertz (5.5)
- CM: Martin Odegaard (7.5)
- RW: Bukayo Saka (6.5)
- ST: Eddie Nketiah (7)
- LW: Gabriel Martinelli (7.5)
Substitutes
- Gabriel Jesus (6)
- Takehiro Tomiyasu (4)
- Fabio Vieira (6)
- Reiss Nelson (N/A)
- Jorginho (N/A)
Manchester United
- GK: Andre Onana (5)
- RB: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (6)
- CB: Victor Lindelof (6)
- CB: Lisandro Martinez (6)
- LB: Diogo Dalot (6.5)
- CDM: Casemiro (6)
- CDM: Eriksen (6)
- CAM: Bruno Fernades (7)
- RW: Antony (6)
- ST: Anthony Martial (5)
- LW: Marcus Rashford (7.5)
Substitutes
- Rasmus Hojlund (5)
- Harry Maguire (5)
- Jonny Evans (2)
- Alejandro Garnacho (3)
Match reaction
Casemiro and ball retention is like Water and Oil
— Jack Fawcett (@JFAnalysis) September 3, 2023
📸 – Massive chance for Kai Havertz but he somehow doesn’t know how to shoot. pic.twitter.com/qsZ5cp2Ld8
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) September 3, 2023
For £65m, I think Arsenal had a right to expect that Kai Havertz would be able to actually kick the ball.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) September 3, 2023
Kai Havertz is the most confusing footballer I have ever seen in my life
— Out of Context Football Manager (@nocontextfm1) September 3, 2023
Havertz lol
— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) September 3, 2023
#MUFC lacking bravery and accuracy on the ball when trying to progress it. The lack of bravery probably comes about because they’re acutely aware the accuracy is often well off.
— Scott Saunders (@__scottsaunders) September 3, 2023
Odegaard is a big game player. pic.twitter.com/D25b7MsGxY
— Cxntrlftbl (@cxntralftbl) September 3, 2023
Just typical united 1 step forward then 2 back #mufc
— Adam MATIC!🔰 (@Adamstott30) September 3, 2023
Martin Ødegaard has now scored 25 Premier League goals for Arsenal, that’s as many as Santi Cazorla & Marc Overmars.
Lovely goal. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/n9WSSRv1Bq
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) September 3, 2023
Marcus Rashford has now scored 6 goals against Arsenal. Leicester City are the only team he has scored against more:
🥇 Leicester – 8
🥈 Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool – 6
🥉West Ham, Man City, Spurs, Newcastle, Bournemouth – 5Brilliant finish. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/NqwwiJL9F7
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) September 3, 2023
3 – Marcus Rashford is the second Manchester United player to score in three consecutive Premier League appearances against Arsenal, after Robin van Persie (2012 to 2013). Thorn. pic.twitter.com/SX5by7m947
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 3, 2023
Rasmus is electric! Love the energy
— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) September 3, 2023
