Matheus Cunha scored a dramatic late winner for Manchester United as they defeated Premier League leaders Arsenal in a five-goal thriller at Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners’ first home defeat of the season, following wins for their title rivals Manchester City and Aston Villa, means their lead has been narrowed to four points.
Arsenal had started the match extremely well, taking the lead when United defender Lisandro Martinez put the ball into his own net in the 29th minute.
The hosts gifted Manchester United a route back into the match when Martin Zubimendi’s loose pass put Bryan Mbeumo through on goal and the United striker calmly went past David Raya and put the ball into an empty net.
United then shocked the home side, taking the lead five minutes into the second half through a superb strike from Patrick Dorgu, who hammered in a shot off the underside of the crossbar.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta tried to force a turnaround in the match as he made a quadruple change, throwing on Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze, Mikel Merino and Ben White. It was Merino who thought he had rescued at least a point when he bundled in from a corner in the 84th minute.
However, just three minutes later, substitute Cunha picked up a pass from Kobbie Mainoo and curled a superb strike into the bottom corner from about 25 yards out.
The win moves Manchester United into fourth place.
Arsenal analysis: First home loss of season a warning to Arteta
This is undoubtedly a blow to the Gunners who will feel it is a missed opportunity to maintain a significant gap at the top of the table.
Arsenal had chances in the last two rounds of Premier League fixtures to further extend the gap between themselves and their rivals but after two goalless draws and now a loss to United, the difference is only four points.
It is still a strong position for the Gunners but one that could be even better if Arteta’s side had taken the opportunities given to them.
Arteta cannot be accused of letting this game pass him by with a quadruple change when the score was 2-1 to United, but the substitutions never gave Arsenal the control of the match he desired.
The atmosphere in the stadium was tense throughout the second half with supporters making their displeasure known to the players on the pitch.
Arteta has spoken about how the groans from the crowd in previous matches was just down to a willingness to win, but this result will be a warning to the Arsenal manager as he looks to bring the title back to north London.
Man Utd analysis: Mbeumo a transfer success story
Manchester United’s transfer business has largely been poor since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 and it will be some time yet before they can feel they are on top of it.
But after just 19 appearances, it is already fair to declare Mbeumo a success.
United made three bids for the Cameroon forward in the summer, so keen were they to prize him from Brentford.
In the end, they paid £65m, attracted by the 20 Premier League goals he scored last season.
Now he is up to eight in the league for this season, calmly rounding Raya to finish when Zubimendi presented him with the chance to equalise.
But he does not just do simple things well. He is also capable of moments of inspiration, which is what he came close to when he met Bruno Fernandes’ lofted pass with a first-time lob towards the Arsenal goal that had Raya worried for a moment.
What next?
Arsenal are next in action on Wednesday when they host Kairat in the Champions League (20:00 GMT) before a trip to Leeds United in the Premier League on Saturday (15:00). Manchester United are home to Fulham on Sunday, 1 February in the league (14:00).
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