Arsenal's blitzkrieg in injury time brings down Manchester

Two decades ago, the only dilemma about the Premier League winner was whether it be Manchester United or Arsenal. But those days are long gone, as neither club haven’t been champions in decades, and these days, the future young stars prefer to go to Chelsea or Manchester City. Still, the old derby between clubs who had shaky starts in the Premier League proved out to be as good as ever: four goals, a couple of ’must score’ chances, two VAR overturns each and a win for the hosts: Arsenal – Manchester United 3-1. The Gunners came into this match after deserved but shaky wins over Nottingham Crystal Palace and after a draw with Fulham and finally got the performance they needed. However, they took it too long as the new boy Decklan Rice found the net in the 96th minute before Gabriel Jesus secured the win minutes later. A 3-1 score was maybe too harsh for United, as they actually played a good game, but after undeserved victories against Wolves and Nottingham, a punishment came at the Emirates.

But in the 96th minute, it was still 1-1, and the only people guilty of that were Kai Havertz and Bakayo Saka. Both players miss sitters in the first and second half of the match. The German international and an expensive signing is already a subject of grumbling among Arsenal’s faithful, but he didn’t do well for himself when he completely missed the ball in the 13th minute when everybody already saw the goal. He also tried to initiate the penalty in the second half before VAR overturned the decision. Saka then missed a sitter from 5 meters, and when Garnacho scored for Manchester in the 89th minute, the stadium was suddenly silent. VAR took control (again), and the goal was ruled out due to offside before Rice’s late kick, helped by a deflection, totally tricked Onana and brought a 2-1 lead. Minutes later, Gabriel Jesus finished the job after a quick counter.

After another loss away from Theatre of Dreams, Erik Ten Hag must admit he has a problem. In the last nine away games, United were defeated eight times and drew once, with 30 conceded goals. With a record like that, they won’t be third again this season. They started the game well, and scored from their first shot of the match, which was a fantastic volley from Marcus Rashford. Odegaard equalized 35 seconds later, but in the second half, the Red Devils again had their chances of taking the lead. In the 59th minute, Martial took a shot that was saved by Ramsdale, but the ball bounced off to Rashford, who was about to score, but Saliba came just in time to make the crucial block. In the 89th minute Garnacho scored from the counter only to see VAR deny it due to offside. And then deep in injury time, the Red Devils failed to secure at least a draw.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 4

Friday

Luton - West Ham 1-2 (0-1)

/Andersen 90+2 - Bowen 37, Zouma 85/

Saturday

Sheffield United - Everton 2-2 (2-1)

/Archer 33, Pickford 45+3 og - Doucoure 14, Danjuma 55/

Burnley - Tottenham 2-5 (1-2)

/Foster 4, Brownhill 90+4 - Son 16, 63, 66, Romero 45+2, Maddison54/

Brentford - Bournemouth 2-2 (1-1)

/Jensen 7, Mbeumo 90+3 - Solanke 30, Brooks 77/

Chelsea - Nott.Forest 0-1 (0-0)

/Elanga 48/

Man.City - Fulham 5-1 (2-1)

/Alvarez 31, Ake 45+5, Haaland 59, 70 p, 90+6 - Ream 33/

Brighton - Newcastle 3-1 (1-0)

/Ferguson 27, 65, 70 - Wilson 90+2/

Sunday

Liverpool - Aston Villa 3-0 (2-0)

/Szoboszlai 3, Cash 22, (og), Salah 55)

Crystal Palace - Wolverhampton 3-2 (0-0)

/ Edouard 55, 84, Eze 78 - Hwang 65, Cunha 90+6/

Arsenal - Man.Utd.3-1 (1-1)

/Odegaard 28, Rice 90+6, Jesus 90+11 - Rashford 27/