In an unforgettable fixture at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal’s late-stage heroics against Manchester United signalled a statement of intent in their Premier League campaign.

Meanwhile, United manager Erik ten Hag’s post-match lamentations couldn’t have been more at odds with the actual events.

Arsenal's English midfielder #41 Declan Rice celebrates with Arsenal's Italian midfielder #20 Jorginho (R) after scoring their late second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in London on September 3, 2023. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s English midfielder #41 Declan Rice celebrates with Arsenal’s Italian midfielder #20 Jorginho (R) after scoring their late second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in London on September 3, 2023. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

Pre-match build-up: Tomiyasu and Gabriel return to lift Arsenal

Ahead of the showdown, Arsenal welcomed back Takehiro Tomiyasu and Gabriel Magalhães to their starting XI.

Eddie Nketiah, fresh from his England senior call-up, was also given a starting berth.

As for Manchester United, Victor Lindelof replaced Raphael Varane in the lineup, while United were also without Scott McTominay and Jadon Sancho.

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Thomas Partey also missed out due to a groin injury. After the game, Arteta said about the injury, ” I don’t know [when he will return]. Unfortunately, he broke down in training. It does not look good. I think he will be out for a couple of weeks. It’s a groin injury.”

Arsenal vs Manchester United

From the onset, Arsenal showcased their determination to dominate the game. However, it was Manchester United who drew first blood, as tends to happen when Arsenal are the better side in this fixture.

Marcus Rashford, cutting in from the left flank, made no mistake.

Arsenal’s swift reply came 35 seconds later, as Martin Ødegaard found the back of the net.

Arsenal's Norwegian midfielder #08 Martin Odegaard celebrates in front of fans after scoring their first goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in London on September 3, 2023. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Norwegian midfielder #08 Martin Odegaard celebrates in front of fans after scoring their first goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in London on September 3, 2023. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

The fixture was rife with contested decisions with Anthony Taylor in the middle and Jarred Gillett on VAR for his third Arsenal fixture of the season.

Arsenal saw a penalty overturned by Taylor after Gillett recommended a review, while Bukayo Saka was booked after being fouled himself.

As Manchester United seemed to benefit from some controversial refereeing, their manager’s post-match comments to Sky Sports that “everything went against us” was a bewildering assessment to say the least.

His comments were based on a goal they had ruled out for offside, a penalty he imagined late in the second half, a foul he thought he saw in the build-up to Rice’s goal and a booking that should have gone to Havertz after his penalty was overturned.

Here he is saying the same thing to Bein Sports

In another interview, ten Hag lamented ‘not getting everything you deserve’.

With the clock ticking down, Declan Rice’s late-minute dragged shot seemed almost predestined, a deliberate strike that ultimately deflected off United’s Jonny Evans, making his first appearance for the Red Devils since 2015.

The Emirates then erupted further as Gabriel Jesus put the final nail in the coffin, making it 3-1 for Arsenal.

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