Arsenal Halts Man United Title Race, As They Extend Lead At The Top Of The Premier League To Five-Points.

Arsenal restores a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table following a deserved victory against Manchester United on Sunday evening.

With the hopes of clinching the league title for the first time in 19 years, the Gunners came into the game following a 2-0 win away at Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby last Sunday.

United, meanwhile, came into the clash on the back of an unbeaten ten-game run, winning nine, and looked more than up for the fight.

They had won Man City 2-1 last weekend before the stumbling 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night.

The thrilling encounter at the Emirates Stadium, saw Marcus Rashford give the visitors an early lead with a brilliant run and strike in the 17th minute.

It was the forward's ninth goal in nine games in all competitions since after the World Cup, that's the most of any player in Europe's big five leagues.

However, Arsenal soon draw level through Eddie Nketiah, whose powerful close-range header in the 24th minute from Granit Xhaka's cross, made it 18 goals in his last 26 starts for the club, bringing the end of the frenetic first half with a 1-1 scoreline.

Arsenal seem to begin the better side after the break, as Mikel Arteta's side went ahead for the first time thanks to Bukayo Saka's fizzing drive from distance to curl home a delicious low finish from 20 yards eight minutes into the second half.

United responded really well, and were back on level terms in the 59th minute, as Lisandro Martinez took advantage of Aaron Ramsdale's mistake, rising highest to float a header into the net.

It was the Argentine's World Cup winner first goal for the Red Devils, since his move from Ajax in July 2022.

There was late, late drama as Nketiah touched home Martin Odegaard's mis-hit shot in the 90th minute, further improving his scoring stats and, after a tense check for offside by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), the goal was awarded as the roof came off the Emirates.

The win for Arsenal restore their five-point lead over second-placed Man City, who had beaten Wolves 3-0 earlier in the day.

Newcastle United are now in third position with 39 points from 20 games, while Man United remain in fourth position with 39 points from 20 games, that's 11 points off the leaders, who also have a game in hand over their title rivals.

Mikel Arteta’s side have so far played 19 Premier League matches with 50 points, won 16, drew two and lost only one which was against this same Man United team.

Behind Man United are Tottenham in (fifth) and Brighton (sixth).

Others are Fulham (seventh), Brentford (eighth), Liverpool (ninth) and Chelsea (tenth).

Man United manager, Erik ten Hag, further reacted to the defeat against Arsenal that put his team currently out of the title race.

The Dutchman described the loss as a "reality check"

"Two games head-to-head, really close. It's hard to accept in the end, when you lose in the final stage of the game. It can't happen... He told Sky Sports.

"We have to face that and learn the lessons. We've made mistakes. All the three goals, we could avoid them. Normally we are better in such situations.

"It's tough, that's quite clear. You could smell it. There were moments on the break but we have to defend much better. We are making the wrong decisions - not one player but many players. You concede the third goal same as the first two goals.

"We started the game very well, we score the goal, we're leading and then we make mistakes that are unacceptable. Today we have to accept, learn the lessons and move on.

"The two first goals we're making so many mistakes. It can't happen. That is a lesson we have to take. We will face the players with this because it can't happen. Good teams don't make such mistakes. Again, not one player. We make many mistakes.

"It can be [a reality check]. Today we have to accept. We are unsatisfied on this defending performance. We can do better. Last week we kept the opponent more away from our box, but if they were in the box we defend much better. Normally we don't concede goals from corners - today, two.

"The last goal so short before the end of the game. That is not acceptable.

"I've said the same words in the dressing room - if you want to win you can't make the mistakes I've just mentioned."