Gunners edge past Manchester United to keep title race alive
Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League with a solitary goal victory at Old Trafford on Sunday
Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League and ensured the title race will go to the final day with 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The Gunners delivered an unconvincing display against a severely depleted United side but did enough to secure the win that puts them one point ahead of Manchester City having played a game more.
Leandro Trossard struck after 20 minutes when lazy defending from struggling veteran Casemiro played Kai Havertz onside and his cross was turned in by the Belgian at the near post.
United showed plenty of endeavour but suffered from a glaring lack of quality and never seriously tested Arsenal keeper David Raya, as their own hopes of European football next season faded further.
Arsenal must now hope north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur do them a favour by getting a result at home to Manchester
City on Tuesday.
The Gunners host Everton in their final game of the season next Sunday, while City are at home to
West Ham. United’s squad, hardly fit for purpose when all players are available, was stripped of key assets such as captain Bruno Fernandes, who watched from the directors’ box with a pained expression.
Manager Erik Ten Hag, his smart suit soaked by a torrential downpour amid a thunderstorm that hit Old Trafford late on, will point to his lack of resources - and rightly so on this occasion.
But the fact United were unable to cause Arsenal keeper Raya any serious problems was a sobering lesson in the current state of the Red Devils.
Kobbie Mainoo tried to galvanise the hosts’ midfield while Alejandro Garnacho ran tirelessly out wide, but it was a tough afternoon for young striker Rasmus Hojlund, who got very little change out of Arsenal defensive duo William Saliba and Gabriel.
United are a club that needs a reboot and re-invigoration and while this was not the day to make judgements on Ten Hag - it is becoming increasingly difficult to see how the Dutchman can be part of the new era and structure under Ratcliffe.
The elation of Arsenal’s fans at this vital win was not dampened by the storm that arrived in Manchester just before the final whistle as skies darkened and lightning flashed around the stadium.
Arsenal know Manchester City’s fate still lies in the champions’ own hands and two wins against Spurs and West Ham will take a fourth successive title to the Etihad Stadium.
Mikel Arteta’s side, however, have done all they can and two hazardous-looking fixtures - away to Spurs in the north London derby and here at United, where they have suffered before - have been safely negotiated.
The Gunners still have a chance of their first title in 20 years going into the final game of the season and they would have happily settled for that in August.
Arsenal were nervy and unconvincing but they have now won 15 of their past 17 games in the face of the usual sustained Manchester City assault at this stage of the season, banishing the label of “chokers” that was attached to them when they slipped up late last season.