Matheus Cunha netted a spectacular late goal to help Manchester United secure a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory at the Emirates, significantly impacting Arsenal’s Premier League title aspirations.
With Manchester City and Aston Villa both securing victories that trimmed their championship lead to just four points, Arsenal initially took a well-earned lead in the 29th minute when United defender Lisandro Martínez accidentally scored an own goal.
However, Bryan Mbeumo took advantage of a disastrous backpass from Martin Zubmendi to equalize for United, followed by Patrick Dorgu, who struck a brilliant shot just after halftime to give United the lead.
As the match neared its conclusion, Mikel Merino seemed to have salvaged a point for Arsenal when he scored from a corner with six minutes to play.
Yet, just three minutes later, substitute Cunha struck again for United, sealing Michael Carrick’s second consecutive win as interim manager.
Arsenal’s loss at their anxiety-ridden home ground — their first league defeat in front of fans this season — casts substantial doubt on their quest to end a 22-year title drought.
Having finished second in the league for the last three seasons, Mikel Arteta’s squad started strongly on Sunday, fresh from a 3-1 defeat to Inter Milan in the Champions League, when they netted the opening goal.
Bukayo Saka cleverly chipped the ball to Martin Odegaard, whose volley deflected off Jurriën Timber, hitting Martínez’s standing leg before eluding Senne Lammens.
However, soon after, warning signs emerged for Arsenal. United equalized eight minutes after the opening goal, an oversight by Zubimendi in a backward pass allowed Mbeumo to level the score. Mbeumo seized control of the errant pass, rounded Raya, and slotted the ball into an empty net.
The tension escalated inside the Emirates as Arsenal faced a growing sense of anxiety. Dorgu then caught the hosts off guard, completing a one-two move with Fernandes and unleashing a half-volley from 20 yards that crashed in off the underside of the crossbar.
Despite a VAR review checking for a possible handball against Dorgu, the goal stood, leaving Arsenal in a state of disarray, while Carrick was on the verge of another notable victory.
Arteta made a quadruple substitution, bringing on Viktor Gyökeres and Eberechi Eze in an attempt to reverse Arsenal’s fortunes.
Arsenal appealed for a penalty late on when Merino’s shot struck Harry Maguire’s hand, but referee Craig Pawson and VAR remained unmoved. Saka forced a decent save from Lammens, leading to a corner from which Arsenal equalized.
Unable to handle Saka’s in-swinger, United allowed Merino to stab the ball home, despite Benjamin Sesko’s attempt to clear it.
As the home crowd anticipated a potential comeback, Cunha had other plans. He expertly turned with the ball before curling a magnificent effort from 20 yards, delivering a critical blow to Arsenal’s title charge.