Arsenal’s grip on the Premier League summit loosened on Sunday following a crushing 3-2 defeat to Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners appeared to be in control early on when Martin Ødegaard’s cross resulted in a Lisandro Martínez own goal, but the momentum shifted after a calamitous error from Martin Zubimendi gifted Bryan Mbeumo an equalizer.
Despite a sensational long-range strike from United’s Patrick Dorgu, Mikel Merino looked to have rescued a point for Mikel Arteta’s side when he poked home in the 84th minute.
However, parity lasted only moments as Matheus Cunha unleashed a clinical late winner, leaving the hosts to rue missed opportunities and defensive lapses that prevent them from moving seven points clear of Manchester City.
Player Ratings
David Raya (5/10):
The Arsenal goalkeeper appeared uncharacteristically hesitant during key moments of the match. He seemed caught in two minds as Bryan Mbeumo approached for the equalizer and could do little to stop the sheer power of the two long-range strikes that followed.
Jurrien Timber (5/10):
Timber showed great promise during the opening half-hour, linking up effectively with Bukayo Saka to pressure United’s left flank. However, as the visitors grew into the game, his influence waned significantly, and he struggled to provide an outlet in the second half.
William Saliba (6/10):
It was a mixed bag for the French center-back, who recovered well from an uncharacteristic early lapse in concentration. His highlight was a spectacular sliding challenge to deny Bruno Fernandes, though the collective defense struggled to contain United’s late surges.
Gabriel (6/10):
The Brazilian was a dominant presence in the air but will be frustrated by the fine margins of the game. He came agonizingly close to preventing United’s first goal, missing a crucial block by a fraction of a second as Mbeumo pulled the trigger.
Piero Hincapié (5/10):
Handed a start on the left, Hincapié failed to make a meaningful impact on the game’s offensive transitions. His lack of effectiveness in the final third led to a tactical substitution early in the second period as Arteta searched for more width.
Martin Zubimendi (4/10):
After nearly scoring with a sharp header, the midfielder’s night turned into a nightmare. A “dreadful mistake” in his own half directly handed the ball to Mbeumo for the equalizer, a lapse in judgment that led to his immediate withdrawal after the break.
Declan Rice (6/10):
Rice was one of the few Arsenal players who maintained a high level of intensity throughout. He provided a world-class delivery for Zubimendi’s earlier chance and worked tirelessly to regain possession, trying to drive his team forward even as momentum shifted.
Martin Ødegaard (5/10):
The skipper’s intelligent movement forced the opening own goal, but he struggled to dictate play thereafter. In what proved to be a challenging afternoon, he was unable to unlock a disciplined United midfield and was replaced by Eberechi Eze late on.
Bukayo Saka (6/10):
Saka was a bright spark early on, frequently bypassing the United defense. Even when shifted to the left wing following tactical changes, he remained a threat, eventually delivering the corner that led to Merino’s equalizing goal.
Gabriel Jesus (5/10):
Coming off a high-quality European performance, Jesus failed to replicate that form at the Emirates. His game was marred by heavy touches and erratic passing, failing to test the United center-backs before being substituted.
Leandro Trossard (5/10):
The Belgian winger endured a frustrating outing, finding it difficult to find space against a compact United backline. He saw very little of the ball in dangerous areas and had a negligible impact on the overall result.
Substitutes
Mikel Merino (6/10):
Scored to level the score and helped contain Manchester United in transition
Viktor Gyokeres N/A
Eberechi Eze N/A
Ben White N/A
Noni Madueke N/A