HE’S No.1 IN THE WORLD
Keeper is hailed best on planet as Utd win thriller
Jose Mourinho hailed David de Gea the best keeper in the world after the elastic-limbed Spaniard put on a one-man show of defiance to shatter Arsenal’s 12- match home winning streak.
United boss Mourinho opted to give his usual park-the-bus tactics at his title rivals a swerve and instead went full throttle for victory in a breathless clash.
His risk was rewarded with a thrilling win that owed a huge debt to de Gea who pulled off a string of incredible stops.
At the other end United pounced on defensive mistakes to motor 2- 0 up in just 11 minutes with strikes from Antonio Valencia and Jess Lingard.
Alexandre Lacazette halved the deficit at the start of the second half but Lingard’s second settled it as Mourinho’s men stayed in Man City’s rearview mirror, five points behind having played a game more.
Mourinho said: “I told David after the match what I saw today was the best goalkeeper in the world.
“It was a phenomenal game. I loved the way my team played and fought. Arsenal also played amazing, created difficulties for us. I have to say we deserve all the great words.
“Th i s game wa s ama z ing , phenomenal, fantastic and a deserved three points.
“We have a big test next weekend against Man City but are just taking every game as it comes.”
The one downside for United was Paul Pogba’s sending off for a foul on Hector Bellerin that rules him out of the derby.
De Gea played down his heroics and said: “It’s a win. The team defended well for 90 minutes. It was a good game, we scored three goals but then lost control. It was difficult.”
Wenger had secured a first Premier League win over Mourinho at the 13th attempt in May.
That victory was part of the Gunners’ 12-game home winning streak – their best since leaving Highbury – and it was also included in United’s winless run of 11 away to top- six rivals. Mourinho’s men had scored just one goal in eight of those games but surpassed that tally after 11 minutes here, punishing two Arsenal howlers.
A dreadful pass f rom Laurent Koscielny towards Sead Kolasinac was intercepted by Valencia.
The United captain played a one-two with Pogba who sucked in defenders for Valencia to overlap and fire a shot between Petr Cech’s legs for the fourth-minute opener.
The sin was soon repeated. Shkodran Mustafi dallied in possession and Lingard nipped at his heels, sending the ball to Romelu Lukaku who found Anthony Martial.
The French striker showed super skill to lay off a perfect reverse pass into Lingard’s path to rifle home off the post.
Mustafi collapsed in a heap, as much in embarrassment as pain, before limping down the tunnel. Alex Iwobi replaced him, giving Arsenal more attacking threat.
Lacazette was the Gunners’ greatest weapon but found de Gea in miraculous form. The France striker delayed over a shot that hit de Gea’s chest then the bar. Granit Xhaka fired the loose ball just wide in a frantic goalmouth scramble.
Arsenal had further chances but de Gea saved from Bellerin, Kolasinac and Lukaku after the striker diverted a cross towards his own goal.
But they grabbed a lifeline four minutes into the second half. Alexis Sanchez clipped the ball through for the on-rushing Aaron Ramsey who showed bri l liant composure to cushion the ball for Lacazette to finish.
The intensity ramped up. Lingard went through only to see his shot brush Cech’s arm and loop on to a post.
Then de Gea denied Iwobi and made a double stop from Lacazette low to his right then with his feet from Sanchez.
United had threatened to strike on the counter and did so when Lingard found Pogba who danced around Koscielny and crossed for Lingard to tuck in the third unopposed.
Having shown his best Pogba then showed his worst. A studs-up tackle on Bellerin saw the midfielder sent packing.
Beaten boss Wenger said: “It is very difficult to put in that performance and have nothing to show for it. Their keeper was absolutely outstanding.”