Arsenal overcame Manchester United in a thrilling 3-2 victory in the 90th minute thanks to a goal from Eddie Nketiah, moving the team one step closer to winning the Premier League for the first time since 2004. In a thrilling match at the Emirates, both teams exchanged leads before Lisandro Martinez’s equaliser for United early in the second half seemed to be heading for a tie. However, Nketiah won it for Arsenal in the dying seconds to keep the Gunners five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the standings as he erased Marcus Rashford’s first-half goal with a first-half header.
The month of January was meant to be the true test of Arsenal’s surprise bid for the Premier League championship, but Mikel Arteta’s squad keeps defying the odds with impressive victories, none more vital than this 3-2 victory over Manchester United. Arsenal will win the title. It’s past time that this was published. There is no better or more complete team in England, despite what they won’t admit to themselves or even believe. The rival teams can attack them, even score against them, but they never fully surprise them, and they have a strong desire to win the ball back. These are all key signals.
However, Arsenal has earned this reputation, this respect, and the additional yard of room you get from intimidated rivals. In this game, Bukayo Saka attempted five shots. He has either figured it out on his own or Mikel Arteta has instructed him to be more forthright. His defenders have dispersed. They are afraid to confess. Saka has gained the additional yard of space that all wingers yearn for just by reputation alone.
After Sunday’s tough victory, the Gunners’ situation doesn’t get much better. They will go to Manchester City on Friday for an FA Cup fourthround matchup before travelling to take on struggling Everton in the Premier League on February 4.
“It’s great and we deserve where we are because of how we’re playing. But there are a lot of things that we can do much better.” — Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, speaking to Sky Sports.