Mikel Arteta's side are now seven points off the top of the Premier League table after seeing out a win at home on Wednesday
Arsenal took advantage of Premier League leaders Liverpool dropping points with a 2-0 win at home to Manchester United on Wednesday. Arne Slot's Reds were held to a dramatic 3-3 draw by Newcastle earlier in the evening, allowing their rivals to make up ground in the title race.
The Gunners had the ball in the net inside four minutes when a poor ball from the back by Andre Onana was intercepted by Oleksandr Zinchenko, whose pass was bounced back by Kai Havertz to Gabriel Martinelli to finish, but an offside flag went up against the German and the goal was chalked off. The hosts also should have had the lead with their first corner of the night after Declan Rice's delivery picked out Thomas Partey at the near post, but the ball bounced off his shoulder and behind.
United's first opportunity came when Mason Mount's second delivery from a quick free-kick was swiped back into the box by Harry Maguire. The defender's low delivery was cleared by Jakub Kiwior, but only as far as Diogo Dalot, who flashed a shot narrowly past the far post.
Mikel Arteta's side upped the ante after the break in search of an opening goal, and they got their reward when Rice's teasing corner was glanced up and in by Jurrien Timber on 54 minutes – his first in Arsenal colours since his 2023 move from Ajax. Another in-swinger was cleared off the line by Ugarte moments later when Joshua Zirkzee diverted the ball towards his own net, while David Raya needed to be at full stretch to claw away a Matthijs de Ligt header down the other end.
To the surprise of nobody, Arsenal found their second goal from a corner once more. Bukayo Saka's delivery travelled all the way to the back post for Partey to head back across the six-yard box, and the ball bobbled in off the back of William Saliba.
A third ought to have followed when Mikel Merino found himself completely unmarked for Saka's next cross, only for his header to drop wide.
GOAL rates Arsenal's players from the Emirates Stadium…
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David Raya (7/10):
Mainly called upon to sweep up United's lofted through balls but had to be at his best to deny De Ligt shortly after Arsenal went a goal up. Always composed on the ball as per.
Jurrien Timber (8/10):
A fantastic performance at both ends of the pitch. Was never to be beaten by Alejandro Garnacho or Marcus Rashford, while he broke the deadlock with a deft flick of his forehead.
William Saliba (9/10):
Completely, utterly dominant. Totally nullified all of United's attacking threats with such ease that it didn't seem fair for the visitors to be playing at the same level as Arsenal's monstrous Frenchman. Iced the game with the second goal of the night.
Jakub Kiwior (7/10):
The out-of-favour Pole was never going to replace Gabriel Magalhaes' threat on set pieces, so all he could realistically do was not be a liability at the back. He deputised well in that department. Came up with some exquisite switches of play to boot.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (5/10):
Kept his head up to progress the ball, which Arsenal sorely needed when United were standing firm, but too often found himself panicking when a winger was running at him.
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Thomas Partey (5/10):
The glaring weak link in the Arsenal midfield. A touch of fortune about his assist will do well to mask his inefficient display in central areas of the pitch.
Declan Rice (8/10):
The main driver behind Arsenal's fast start to the second half with his brute force and quick-thinking, ultimately coming up with the assist for Timber's opener. Wasn't afraid to get physical with close friend Mason Mount.
Martin Odegaard (6/10):
Found it hard to pick the lock as he so expertly does on a regular basis. Knitted attacks together between the lines when Arsenal were flowing with confidence in the last third of the game.
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Bukayo Saka (6/10):
His remarkably wicked set-piece delivery piled the pressure on United and yielded results in the end. Fairly quiet from open play and had particular problems getting past Tyrell Malacia in the first half.
Kai Havertz (6/10):
Worked his socks off for the cause and dropped deep to help progress play. That was as good as it really got for the German, who was of little threat to United directly.
Gabriel Martinelli (5/10):
Like Havertz he emptied the tank putting a shift in, but the Brazilian was wasteful when attacking open space and in transition.
Subs & Manager
Mikel Merino (6/10):
Replaced Zinchenko for the last 20 or so minutes. Unlucky not to have added to the score himself with a header which went wide.
Leandro Trossard (6/10):
Came on alongside Merino for Martinelli. Far more composed in possession than Arsenal's No. 11.
Jorginho (N/A):
Brought on for Odegaard in the closing stages.
Mikel Arteta (8/10):
Even when Arsenal are stodgy and a tough watch, they will still find a way to threaten through set plays, which is a credit to the manager and his stadd.