Arsenal restored their five-point lead on the high of the Premier League with Eddie Nketiah scoring twice in a 3-2 defeat of Manchester United, together with a Ninetieth-minute winner, in a rip-roaring conflict at The Emirates on Sunday.
It seemed as if it will finish honours even with United resisting a late Gunners siege however Nketiah tapped in from shut vary to ship the house followers into raptures.
A recreation that absolutely lived as much as expectations noticed Marcus Rashford give United the lead with a shocking early opener just for Nketiah to go Arsenal degree in a frantic first half.
Bukayo Saka’s flashing drive gave Arsenal the lead within the 53rd minute however Lisandro Martinez’s header levelled it up earlier than the hour mark to arrange an absorbing finale.
Saka struck the publish and Nketiah was denied by David de Gea however the hosts had been relentless as they avenged their loss to United earlier within the season — their sole defeat.
Mikel Arteta’s facet have 50 factors from 19 video games, their finest ever first half of a Premier League marketing campaign, with City on 45 from 20 and United in fourth place on 39, beneath Newcastle United on purpose distinction.
“You could see how much we wanted to win and how bad we wanted it for ourselves and our fans,” youth product Nketiah, who has scored seven objectives in his final seven video games as a stand-in for the injured Gabriel Jesus, mentioned.
“We kept pushing and pushing and thankfully found the goal.”
Arsenal’s title credentials are now not being questioned and victory over United was one other huge assertion after champions City had earlier bought to inside two factors.
United have been in excellent kind, profitable 5 of their final six within the league, and took that confidence into the early levels regardless of being with out suspended midfielder Casemiro.
It took them solely 17 minutes to take the lead and it was no shock it was the in-form Rashford who scored the purpose.
When Arsenal misplaced the ball in midfield the ball landed on the toes of Rashford and after tricking his well beyond Thomas Partey he lower in earlier than unleashing a low shot from simply exterior the penalty space that screamed inside close to publish.
It was a jolt for Arsenal who had not conceded so early all season however they responded impressively.
United needlessly conceded a nook after making an attempt to play out from the again and Arsenal labored the ball to Granit Xhaka who delivered an appetising cross for Nketiah to time his leap completely and thump a header into the again of the web.
Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale was compelled to make a save from Scott McTominay because the frantic tempo continued till halftime.
The hosts moved up a gear within the second half and Saka gave them the lead within the 53rd minute with a purpose to rival Rashford’s. Cutting in from the precise he fired a shocking left-foot shot that gave De Gea no likelihood.
Back got here United although and 6 minutes later they had been degree when Ramsdale couldn’t deal correctly with a excessive ball and the ball bounced out to Martinez who improvised a lobbed header that nestled behind the web.
Arsenal started to show the screws and with 20 minutes remaining Saka virtually restored Arsenal’s lead with a carbon copy of his purpose however this time the ball clipped the surface of the publish and when De Gea saved from Nketiah it seemed as if the hosts must accept a degree.
But Nketiah, who has established himself as a fan favorite, was readily available to flick house from in entrance of purpose within the Ninetieth minute after a low cross was deflected into his path.
