Last Update: January 23, 2023, 00:13 AM IST
Eddie Nketiah scored twice in a thrilling encounter against Manchester United (AP Image)
The Gunners went on in search of a winner and eventually got the goal they deserved when Nketiah slotted the ball home in the 90th minute.
Arsenal made a huge statement of their Premier League intent on Sunday, coming from behind to beat Manchester United 3-2 in front of a raucous Emirates crowd.
United forward Marcus Rashford silenced the home fans with the opening goal but an equalizer from Eddie Nketiah and a superb second-half strike from Bukayo Saka turned the match on its head.
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But dangerous visitors at the break throughout the match leveled a blistering encounter when Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez headed in after Arsenal failed to clear a corner.
The Gunners went on in search of a winner and eventually got the goal they deserved when Nketiah slotted the ball home in the 90th minute.
Earlier, defending champions Manchester City closed the gap to just two points with a 3–0 win against Wolves thanks to Erling Haaland’s fourth hat-trick of the season.
Scott McTominay replaced Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, who was ineligible after picking up his fifth booking of the season, in United’s midweek draw with Crystal Palace, with loan signing Wot Weghorst again leading the line.
New Arsenal arrival Leandro Trossard, who joined from Brighton last weekend, had to settle for a place on the bench as Mikel Arteta named an unchanged squad.
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– Arsenal Faith –
There is a growing sense of belief at the Emirates that the Gunners can finally end their long wait for a Premier League title, which they have not won since 2004.
Arsenal flew off the blocks, with Thomas Partey going wide as soon as he headed over.
But it was United who broke the deadlock in surprising style in the 17th minute, when Bruno Fernandes found Rashford, who outran Partey with ease and fired a low drive into the corner of the net from 25 yards.
Arsenal equalized after just seven minutes when an in-form Nketiah headed home Granit Xhaka’s cross past Aaron Wan-Bissaka at the back post.
The wind was now in the home team’s sails as they pushed ahead but United came close to taking the lead again, McTominay forcing a diving save from Aaron Ramsdale.
Arteta was booked by referee Anthony Taylor just after the half-hour mark as emotion got the better of him, but it all ended squarely after some clear-cutting in the first half.
After the break, Arsenal again threatened early, going in search of a second goal, and took the lead in the 53rd minute.
Christian Eriksen stood up against England’s Saka, who shifted the ball onto his left foot and effortlessly slotted David de Gea into the United net from just outside the box.
But a blistering game took another turn when United equalized after only six minutes.
Ramsdale volleyed the ball in from a United corner and Lisandro Martínez threw himself at it, curling a header into the net.
Arsenal regrouped and Saka hit the post in a near repeat of his goal and De Gea looked on nervously.
As the clock was ticking down, Nketiah blasted it over from close range, with De Gea pulling off a fine save when United were unable to control the ball for a sustained spell.
United were close to being held out for a draw, but Arsenal took all three points when Nketiah scored his second of the afternoon as a lengthy VAR check turned him away.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)