Arsenal vs Man United result, highlights & analysis as Nketiah nets last-minute winner

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Dan Gibbs
• 17 min read

Eddie Nketiah bagged an injury-time winner to send Arsenal five points clear at the top of the Premier League table and keep the Gunners' title charge on track with a stunning 3-2 win over Manchester United.

The 23-year-old netted twice, either side of a Bukayo Saka stunner, while Marcus Rashford netted a wonderful solo goal of his own before Lisandro Martinez equalised for the visitors in the second half.

Arsenal came out the blocks quickest in the opening 15 minutes with United hardly having a touch of the ball in their opponent's final third, but it was the visitors who soon took the lead against the run of play with a moment of magic form Rashford.

Having picked up the ball in the middle of the pitch, he nutmegged Thomas Partey before dribbling forward and unleashing a fierce low-shot from 20 yards that flew past Aaron Ramsdale.

But Arsenal are a team that don't roll over anymore and that fighting spirit was clear for all to see as Nketiah had them level just seven minutes later. Some neat team build-up play led to Granit Xhaka putting in a delightful cross to the back post where Nketiah headed home unmarked from close range with right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka caught napping. 

Saka had tormented England teammate Luke Shaw all match and on 53 minutes he cut inside his man and drilled a stunning shot into De Gea's far post, right into the bottom left corner to put them in front.

United weren't letting the league leaders take three points without putting up a fight of their own though, as Martinez reacted quickest to head home from a corner that Ramsdale flapped at.

But if Arsenal are to go on and win the title this season they need players to step up in the big moments and Nketiah did that in injury-time as he provided an instinctive finish to poke the ball past De Gea from Odegaard's goal-bound effort and spark a frenzy inside the Emirates Stadium.

Can Arsenal win the Premier League?

"Credit to Arsenal… deserved the win, played like Champions!" was United legend Rio Ferdinand's verdict at full-time. He was absolutely right.

Arsenal once again played hours after seeing what Manchester City did and once again they didn't let that bother them. Erling Haaland netted a fourth-hat-trick of the season in a 3-0 win over Wolves in the early kickoff to move within two points of the Gunners at the top. Had United won today it would have been even tighter at the top and a three-way title race would be the topic of discussion. Yet a few hours after City's win, Arsenal moved their lead at the top back to five points over Pep Guardiola's side and they still have a game in hand.

Of course, Arsenal still need to play City home and away this season with many seeing that as the ultimate test of their title credentials. The north London side knew full well the only league defeat they've suffered this season coming into the match came in the 3-1 defeat to United at Old Trafford back in September. Arsenal are a different beast now and the confidence they'll take from today's win, and the manner of the performance, will be huge.

MORE: Arsenal odds to win Premier League 2023: Where Gunners rank among favourites for EPL title

Super Eddie Nketiah looks unstoppable 

When Gabriel Jesus was confirmed to be sidelined for around three months following his injury at the World Cup, there was plenty of clamour for Arsenal to splash the cash on a striker in the January transfer window.

Sure they've recently spent money on attacker Leandro Trossard, but Eddie Nketiah looks to have saved the club a fortune with his performances and has been nothing short of spectacular in the Brazilian's absence. He thrives off the support from his adoring fans and has now scored 13 goals in his last 13 starts at the Emirates Stadium. Nketiah is only the second Arsenal player to score a 90th-minute winner against Manchester United in the Premier League, after Thierry Henry in January 2007.

This time last year he was being linked with loan moves away from Arsenal amid a lack of game time but he chose to stay and fight for his place and now his time has come he's grabbed it with both hands. If anything, Arteta now has a tricky decision on Jesus when he's back to full fitness in the closing stages of the season. 

If Arsenal are still in a position to challenge for the title upon his return then Nketiah will be a big reason for that. While Saka scored a stunner and Rashford produced a moment of magic for United in a thrilling game, it was Nketiah who delivered the goods in the big moments. 

Arsenal vs Man United final score

  1H 2H FT
Arsenal 1 2 3
Man United 1 1 2

Goals:
MUN - Marcus Rashford (17th min)
ARS - Eddie Nketiah (24th min)
ARS - Bukayo Saka (52nd min)
MUN - Lisandro Martinez (59th min)
ARS - Eddie Nketiah (90th min)

Lineups:

Arsenal confirmed XI (4-3-3, right to left): 1-Ramsdale (GK) — 4-White (46' 18-Tomiyasu), 12-Saliba, 6-Gabriel, 35-Zinchenko — 5-Partey, 8-Odegaard (90' 16-Holding), 34-Xhaka — 7-Saka, 14-Nketiah, 11-Martinelli (83' 19-Trossard)

Man United confirmed XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1-De Gea (GK) — 29-Wan-Bissaka, 19-Varane, 6-Martinez, 23-Shaw —14-Eriksen, 39-McTominay, — 21-Antony (70' 17-Fred), 10-Rashford, 8-Fernandes, — 27-Weghorst

Arsenal vs Man United live updates, highlights from Premier League match

FULL-TIME: ARSENAL 3-2 MANCHESTER UNITED

Arsenal have done it! A thrilling game ends with 23-year-old Nketiah having the final say as his second goal of the match gives the Gunners a vital three points to extend their lead to five clear at the top of the table. That match was the Premier League at its best.

90th min +2: Subs as Garnacho is on for Varane for United and Holding replaces Odegaard. Arsenal are nearly there.

90th min: GOAL! Arsenal 3-2 Man United

Nketiah has it in the back of the net after reacting quickest to tap home from inside the six-yard box. Odegaard's goal-bound shot flicks up in the air and it's an instinctive finish from the young forward to flick it past De Gea!

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87th min: Down the other end Eriksen carries the ball forward before getting his shot away and wins a corner. Arsenal clear and go on the break before Wan-Bissaka fouls Nketiah.

85th min: HUGE save from De Gea! The ball falls kindly for Nketiah from eight yards and he smashes it goalwards but the goalkeeper gets down quickly to deny him with his left hand.

84th min: Shaw gets a yellow card for a late tackle on Saka.

83rd min: Debutant Trossard is on for Martinelli.

80th min: Some desperate defending and some brilliant defending from United and Wan-Bissaka. The visitors are struggling to get the ball out of their box let alone their half. Arsenal still pushing.

78th min: Rashford goes down in the box under a challenge from Ramsdale when running through but referee Anthony Taylor isn't interested. Ramsdale doesn't look too impressed with his England teammate hitting the deck.

73rd min: Arsenal have had 73% possession in the last 10 minutes. They're knocking on the door and the crowd are urging them to push on and get the winner.

70th min: Oh my! Saka almost scores a carbon copy of his first goal. He gets away from Shaw and then Eriksen and fires one into the far post and it kisses the woodwork. De Gea was left watching.

63rd min: Shaw gives Saka far too much space again and the attacker crosses into Nketiah but his goal-bound effort is deflected behind.

59th min: GOAL! Arsenal 2-2 Man United

Martinez equalises! Arsenal can't clear their lines from a corner as Ramsdale spills it and the Argentine comes in with a flying header to loop the ball into the back of the net! Game on again!

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57th min: Arsenal just need to settle a little bit here with United putting on a bit of pressure. 

52nd min: GOAL! Arsenal 2-1 Man United

Saka with a stunner! Who knew he had that in his locker?! Saka cuts in from the left and hits a powerful shot into the far corner that bounces just out of De Gea's reach. A brilliant strike.

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50th min: All Arsenal at the moment, much like the first half they've started well again. But they need to create some concrete chances and take them to avoid United producing a moment of magic again...

47th min: Antony picks up a yellow card after tripping Zinchenko.

We're back underway! One change for Arsenal as Tomiyasu comes on for White at the back.

HALF-TIME: ARSENAL 1-1 MAN UNITED

45th min: Half a chance for Arsenal as Martinelli finds space down the left and pulls it back to Zinchenko but the defender scuffs his shot and drags it wide of the far post.

42nd min: Arsenal's back line are keeping Weghorst fairly quiet so far but the Dutchman is doing his bit with the pressing, plenty of runs to put pressure on the Arsenal defence.

35th min: Luke Shaw is having a tricky evening so far up against England teammate Saka. Another Arsenal corner but it's a poor one and goes straight through everyone in the box.

29th min: Big save from Ramsdale to deny McTominay. Antony cuts in from the right to tee up the midfielder but Ramsdale is at full stretch to save his curled effort.

24th min: GOAL! Arsenal 1-1 Man United

Arsenal waste no time in replying as Nketiah equalises. Some brilliant build up play ends with Xhaka putting in a delicious teasing cross to the back post where Nketiah heads home from close range. Wan-Bissaka caught napping.

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22nd min: That goal was the definition of against the run of play. Arsenal have responded well though. This time a well worked set-piece sees Martinelli fire just wide from the edge of the box.

17th min: GOAL! Arsenal 0-1 Man United

Rashford with a beauty! He picks the ball up in midfield, nutmegs Partey and then dribbles forward before unleashing a low, powerful shot from 20 yards out that Ramsdale has no chance in reaching. What a hit!

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14th min: Saka has been quiet by his standards so far but whips in a dangerous cross from the right which Wan-Bissaka has to clear for a corner. 

10th min: Gabriel is fouled by Fernandes in the middle of the pitch and the latter is frustrated. The pair square up to each other before their teammates pull them apart. It's getting fiery! Arsenal still dominating with United yet to properly make it into the final third.

6th min: Fernandes runs onto a through ball into the box and beats Ramsdale to it as he's sent flying to the floor. But he was never going to reach the ball the other side and despite the Portuguese's protests, no penalty is given.

2nd min: Arsenal are on it! Two early corners and Odegaard has already had a shot blocked. Partey also puts a shot wide from a cross at the near post.

We're underway!

5 mins from KO: The teams make their way out at the Emirates Stadium. It's absolutely packed. Even Sir Alex Ferguson and David Beckham have made the trip to the capital.

10 mins from KO: Wout Weghorst leads the line up front for United for the second time in five days. The new signing struggled to make much of an impact in his debut against Crystal Palace but gets the nod from Ten Hag again today. He managed just two goals and three assists with Burnley last season in the Premier League but The Sporting News has crunched the numbers on why he is actually a good fit for the Red Devils.

MORE: Why Wout Weghorst loan to Manchester United makes sense: Explaining reasons behind Man Utd transfer signing

30 mins from KO: If you're looking for a little flutter on today's game then our betting expert Kyle Bonn has you covered with the best bets.

In other news, Erling Haaland has scored his fourth hat-trick of the season in Manchester City's 3-0 win over Wolves. It means Arsenal sit just two points above City ahead of today's crunch clash.

45 mins from KO: So the only change for United is Scott McTominay coming into the midfield to replace the suspended Casemiro. The Brazilian picked up a booking in the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Wednesday night. Ten Hag has put his trust in the Scot with fellow Brazilian Fred on the bench. 

Arsenal remain unchanged and fans will be hoping to see new signing Trossard come off the bench in the second half.

1 hr from KO: The teams are in!

1hr 10 from KO: Remember, Arsenal have lost just once in the league this season and that came against United at Old Trafford. Marcus Rashford scored twice in the 3-1 win in September and his form has only improved since then.

Team news will be on the way in 10 minutes. Will we see Arsenal's new signing Leandro Trossard thrown straight into the starting XI?

1hr 35 from KO: Arteta seems to be doing everything right at the moment and his work isn't going unnoticed. Here's what Ten Hag had to say about the Spaniard.

"I think in the Premier League there are many incredibly good coaches in this moment," the Dutchman told Sky Sports.

"He [Arteta] is definitely one of them. What he's doing, he's the best in this moment because it's really a big performance, it's huge what he's doing.

"He's managing his team and they are so consistent, the most consistent team in the Premier League in this moment, playing incredible football. It's fantastic."

2 hrs from KO: Here we go, then. Premier League leaders Arsenal face Manchester United, the only team to beat them in the top flight this season, in a huge test of their burgeoning title credentials.

MORE: Manchester United for sale: Latest news, updates on who will buy Man Utd

Arsenal vs Man United lineups

Arteta has few injury concerns beside the long-term absences of Gabriel Jesus and Reiss Nelson. Full-back Cedric Soares has a muscle complaint, but the Gunners are otherwise largely at full strength, and Leandro Trossard is on the bench for the first time since his move from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Arsenal confirmed XI (4-3-3, right to left): 1-Ramsdale (GK) — 4-White, 12-Saliba, 6-Gabriel, 35-Zinchenko — 5-Partey, 8-Odegaard, 34-Xhaka — 7-Saka, 14-Nketiah, 11-Martinelli

Arsenal subs: 30-Turner, 3-Tierney, 10-Smith Rowe, 16-Holding, 18-Tomiyasu, 19-Trossard, 21-Vieira, 23-Lokonga, 27-Marquinhos

Man United are without Casemiro, who is suspended following his fifth yellow card of the season against Crystal Palace, while Donny van de Beek is out for the season. Forward Anthony Martial is also struggling for fitness, along with right-back Diogo Dalot with both missing out.

Man United confirmed XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1-De Gea (GK) — 29-Wan-Bissaka, 19-Varane, 6-Martinez, 23-Shaw —14-Eriksen, 39-McTominay, — 21-Antony, 10-Rashford, 8-Fernandes, — 27-Weghorst

Man United subs: 22-Heaton, 2-Lindelof, 5-Maguire, 12-Malacia, 17-Fred, 28-Pellestri, 36-Elanga, 49-Garnacho, 73-Mainoo

Arsenal vs Man United live stream, TV channel

The match will be streamed or televised by the following outlets around the world:

  TV channel Streaming
USA NBC, Telemundo fuboTV, Peacock, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo
Canada —

fuboTV Canada
UK Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League Sky Go
Australia — Optus Sport
New Zealand Sky Sport Sky Go
India Star Sports Select 1, Star Sports 3 Asia JioTV, Hotstar VIP
Hong Kong Now Premier League TV
(Ch. 620-621)		 Now E, Now Player
Malaysia Astro SuperSport 3 sooka, Astro Go
Singapore Hub Premier (Ch. 221-222) StarHub TV+

UK: This Sunday evening match in the UK will be carried by Sky Sports on its TV and streaming channels.

USA: The match will be airing on over-the-air channel NBC (English), as well as Telemundo (Spanish) with both broadcasts streamed on fuboTV. Since the match is on NBC, Peacock will also be streaming the match for subscribers.

Canada: Every Premier League game streams live and on demand exclusively via fuboTV.

Australia: Fans in Australia can stream matches live and on demand on Optus Sport. 

Author(s)
Author Photo
Dan Gibbs
Dan is a sub-editor for The Sporting News' UK edition.
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