In a dramatic encounter at the Emirates Stadium, Manchester United triumphed over Arsenal 3-2, thanks to a stunning late strike from Matheus Cunha. The Brazilian’s long-range effort in the 87th minute not only secured the victory for the Red Devils but also reignited the Premier League title race, reducing Arsenal’s lead at the top to just four points over rivals Manchester City and Aston Villa.
A Decisive Moment for Cunha
Cunha, who joined United last summer, described his late winner as “100 per cent” the highlight of his time at the club thus far. Speaking to Sky Sports, he shared his excitement: “These are the kind of games we dream to play in. The games that we watch on television and we want to be part of.” His passion resonated with fans as United climbed to fourth place following consecutive victories under interim head coach Michael Carrick.
Carrick’s Impact
Michael Carrick’s tenure has seen a remarkable turnaround in fortunes for United. Following a crucial win against Manchester City last week, Carrick’s side delivered another impressive performance against Arsenal. “I’m enjoying it. It’s a fantastic position to be in,” Carrick remarked, reflecting on the team’s recent success. The interim manager, whose contract runs until the season’s end, has certainly put himself in contention for a permanent role should this form continue. Defender Harry Maguire praised Carrick’s influence, noting the renewed energy he has brought to the squad.
United’s victory was particularly impressive given they faced the top two teams in the league in consecutive matches. “Two tough games and everyone probably thinks we are going to come away with not many points. But to win both is magnificent,” Maguire added.
Arsenal’s Stumbling Form
For Arsenal, this defeat marks a worrying trend, as the Gunners are now without a win in their last three league matches. It was a disappointing outcome, especially considering they took the lead in the 29th minute through an own goal by Lisandro Martinez, who inadvertently deflected Martin Ødegaard’s shot into his own net. However, United equalised later in the first half when Bryan Mbeumo capitalised on a defensive error, rounding goalkeeper David Raya to score.
The second half saw Patrick Dorgu strike a spectacular long-range effort to give United the lead, but Arsenal fought back through Mikel Merino’s goal in the 84th minute, only to be thwarted by Cunha’s late heroics. Ødegaard, Arsenal’s captain, lamented the performance, stating, “The performance wasn’t good enough and we should have done better. Now it is time to stick together more and to keep working and bounce back.”
Villa and Chelsea on the Rise
Meanwhile, Aston Villa maintained their title challenge with a convincing 2-0 victory over Newcastle, with goals from Emiliano Buendia and Ollie Watkins. Villa’s resurgence under manager Unai Emery has been remarkable, as they now sit level on points with Manchester City, just four points behind Arsenal.
Chelsea, under new coach Liam Rosenior, also secured a positive result, defeating Crystal Palace 3-1 to continue their upward trajectory. Rosenior has led Chelsea to four victories in five games across all competitions, signalling a revival for the London club.
Why it Matters
This thrilling victory for Manchester United sends a clear message to the Premier League: the title race is far from over. Matheus Cunha’s late winner not only boosts United’s confidence but also poses a significant challenge to Arsenal, whose recent form raises questions about their title ambitions. With Aston Villa and Chelsea also in the mix, the competition for the top spots is heating up, making every match a potential turning point in the race for glory.
