1 week ago
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Arsenal fell to their first home defeat of the season as they were beaten 3-2 by Manchester United in the Premier League
On the basis of this performance and result, the pressure really is beginning to get to Arsenal. They were ahead through a Lisandro Martinez own goal, pegged back by Bryan Mbeumo before Patrick Dorgu's stunner put United back in the lead during the second half.
Arsenal did not lie down, however, and battled back, forcing themselves level through substitute Mikel Merino. The drama was not over there though as United snatched all three points through Matheus Cunha's stunner.
It was the first time the Gunners have conceded three times at home since losing 3-0 to Brighton in May 2023. Here are five talking points and moments you may have missed at the Emirates Stadium.
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Maguire handball
There were two contentious second-half moments that could have gone either way and both went in Manchester United's favour.
To get a result at the Emirates nowadays, you need to ride your luck but make no mistake, United were also ruthless and applied three finishes of the highest quality.
First Patrick Dorgu lashed in a stunner on 50 minutes and Mikel Arteta was adamant the ball had touched Dorgu's arm after rewatching the incident.
Arsenal's players were also incensed that was the case but the officials thought otherwise, instead awarding the goal. Then, on 70 minutes Mikel Merino struck a shot that hit the arm of Harry Maguire.
Maguire was sliding to block the effort and while his arm was in a natural position, you have seen them given.
Arteta's assistants Albert Stuivenberg and Miguel Molina were furious and directed their anger towards fourth official Thomas Bramall.
Stuivenberg was adamant Arsenal should have been awarded a penalty but United escaped the brief scare to motor onto victory.
Arteta proven right over Saliba
Speaking during his press conference on Friday, Mikel Arteta boldly claimed William Saliba can still improve in both boxes.
During the first half, the Frenchman proved his boss right because we saw both the bad and the brilliant where the big central defender is concerned.
He made an excellent last-ditch challenge to deny Bruno Fernandes - also winning a goal kick during the process - and then, quite bizarrely, nerves set in.
Arsenal were playing hot potato with the ball in the final 10 minutes before the interval but it arguably all started from Saliba.
Yes, Martin Zubimendi should clear his lines but the pass he received placed him under immediate pressure. Captain Martin Odegaard was both poor and hooked.
Saliba was also holding onto the ball for too long during separate phases of play and Arsenal struggled to break Manchester United's press.
Big players go missing
In the midst of a Premier League title charge, sometimes big players will drag you through - even if your overall performance was not up to scratch.
None of Arsenal's most valuable stars were at the top of their game today; Declan Rice started strong but faded, Bukayo Saka too and he has now gone 13 matches without finding the target in all competitions despite delivering the corner for the equaliser.
Saliba, as mentioned, was uncharacteristically ropey and Gabriel Magalhaes was far from solid. The Brazilian should have closed Matheus Cunha down for Manchester United's third.
Martin Zubimendi also made a horrifying mistake that will haunt him for a while.
It's hard to know whether David Raya could have done anything better for any of the United goals but it's the first time he's conceded three times in a match for Arsenal since a 4-3 win at Luton in December 2023.
Gabriel Jesus and Gyokeres struggle
It was impossible to drop Gabriel Jesus following his two-goal heroics at Inter Milan.
But it's fair to reflect that he hardly grabbed the bull with both horns here against Manchester United.
His touch was sloppy and at times, he failed to recycle the ball, instead taking an extra touch which eventually saw him dispossessed.
There were moments of promise but given so much has been made about Viktor Gyokeres' struggles, this wasn't the kind of performance from Jesus that makes him difficult to shift from the starting XI.
It was not a surprise to see him substituted on 58 minutes.
What also wasn't surprising was how poor Gyokeres was when he came on, too.
There was one attack where he was flagged offside but it's a good job he was, because the way he tried to square the ball into the box was incredibly poor, ballooning upwards towards the far side.
Creativity problem in Premier League
Arsenal have benefitted from six own goals this season in all competitions, which is more than any other Premier League side.
There's been a flurry of late and while it's certainly positive for Arsenal, they are struggling to create chances of their own in the top-flight.
Whatever way you look at it, that's an issue when you're in contention for the title.
What's hard to fathom is goals are not currently an issue in Europe or cup competitions as they have scored 10 in their last three non-PL matches.
It's difficult to grasp whether this is just a peculiar pattern/anomaly or whether this points towards something more.
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