Arsenal extended their gap at the top of the table to five points, with a game in hand, after beating Manchester United at the Emirates in a 3-2 thriller.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 22: Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal celebrates after the team's victory during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on January 22, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 22: Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal celebrates after the team’s victory during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on January 22, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

While Manchester United offered little in an attacking sense, they somehow managed to leave the Emirates on Sunday afternoon with two goals.

Thankfully, they left all the points as Eddie Nketiah banged in his sixth and seventh goals in his last seven starts.

As for the screamer from Bukayo Saka, well, Arjen Robben called and gave his approval.

This match was one that gave Arsenal the chance to lay out their title credentials for those who still doubt them.

Up against a team they often batter only to lose to, Arsenal had to come from behind, recover from a mistake from Aaron Ramsdale that allowed United to equalise, and then find a way to win the game with time almost up.

They did it all.

25 shots to six, three big chances to zero, 12 corners to four. The scoreline may not reflect the reality of the game, but make no mistake, Arsenal stomped all over United in this game.

After the match, Oleksandr Zinchenko told Premier League TV, “When I arrived I told the lads, we won’t think about the top 3 of whatever, we go for the title.

“Some of them started laughing but now they start to believe.”

 

With 50 points on the board after just 19 games, it’s Arsenal’s best ever start to a league campaign and the fastest they’ve ever reached that milestone.