Arsenal vs Man Utd LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction after Granit Xhaka goal
Follow live reaction after Arsenal beat Manchester United in a big match in the race for the Premier League’s top four
Follow live reaction after Arsenal dealt a blow to Manchester United’s hopes of a top-four Premier League finish as Nuno Tavares, Bukayo Saka and Granit Xhaka struck in a 3-1 win that revived the home side’s chances of Champions League football next season.
Arsenal were rewarded for their blistering early pace as Tavares tapped home in the third minute after United goalkeeper David de Gea pushed away a curling effort by Saka, following some poor defending by the visitors at the Emirates. Saka doubled the Gunners’ lead from the penalty spot after a foul on the winger in the build-up to a disallowed goal by Eddie Nketiah. Nketiah’s strike was ruled offside by the Video Assistant Referee.
United’s sluggish display overshadowed fleeting moments in which they threatened and was another reminder of the challenge facing incoming manager Erik ten Hag, though the visitors got one back as Cristiano Ronaldo swept in Nemanja Matic’s cross. The Portuguese forward’s 100th Premier League goal came after a traumatic week personally for the player after the death of one of his newborn twin babies.
United improved after the restart but their woes deepened as skipper Bruno Fernandes hit the post with a poor effort from the penalty spot following Tavares’ handball, before a 70th-minute thunderbolt from Xhaka sealed the win for the Gunners.
Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United, 44 mins
Elneny’s deft touch does enough to worry De Gea who pushes it wide for a corner.
Cedric takes the kick and the ball pinballs around the box. Saka hits it but it’s blocked by Elanga.
Sancho is having a good game and is a huge nuisance downt he left hand side. He has won a corner for the visitors with Fernandes the taker. Ramsdale has his eyes fixed on the ball and he collects. Odegaard was hit on the head in that exchange but the star is staying on the pitch.
Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United, 39 mins
Ronaldo has been everywhere for United and it is fitting he’s the one to bring them back into this game.
There’s a break in play as Telles has gone down with an injury. He is back on his feet and will play on.
As play gets back underway Ramsdale makes a howler of a mistake again with a short pass. United almost pounces on it, what a moment that would have been!
Saka wins an Arsenal throw in but United force them back to halfway.
GOAL! Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United (Ronaldo, 34’)
What a moment for Ronaldo! Fernandes whips the ball in and Ronaldo takes a one touch finish.
His 100th Premier League goal.
PENALTY! Arsenal 2-0 Manchester United (Saka, 32’)
A lovely penalty from Saka, the team are jumping all over him! De Gea went the wrong way.
Telles has also been booked for protesting the penalty call.
Arsenal 1-0 Manchester United, 30 mins
The goal has been chalked off.
I’m speechless, this came after Nketiah had an earlier chance which De Gea saved well.
Saka is taken down in the box and all the United players just stopped playing.
VAR have decided it’s offside but they are now checking to see if there’s a penalty with that Saka challenge by Telles.
It’s a penalty! What a horrible first half for United.
GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Manchester United (Nketiah, 27’)
Oh my word, United have stopped as they thought there was a foul but Nketiah took his shot.
De Gea didn’t try to save it and it’s been given. VAR are checking to see if he’s offside but it looks okay.
Arsenal 1-0 Manchester United, 25 mins
McTominary hits the deck after being fouled and they get a free kick on halfway.
Ronaldo again gets the ball in the path to make an opportunity but the bounce isn’t kind.
United aren’t sleeping as Sancho gets into the box and then he and Ronaldo call for a handball. It’s checked by VAR and a penalty isn’t given, pundits are convinced it was a handball.
Cedric gives the ball away with Sancho pouncing. It’s threaded through the players and Diallo hits a stunning ball which hits the woodwork. That would have been an absolute cracker!
Arsenal 1-0 Manchester United, 20 mins
Sancho earns a corner with quick feet and Untied take it short. Fernandes looks to dink it into the box but his touch has too much on it.
How good is Nketiah? His dancing feet brings so much threat that Elanga fouls him to win a free kick just outside the box.
Odegaard takes it but it sails over the bar and so United look to create something fromt heir own half. Ronaldo gets a shot away, if he scores today he’ll bag his 100th Premier League score.
The forward is involved in all the good work from United so far, impeccable in the midfield.
Arsenal 1-0 Manchester United, 15 mins
Arsenal keep the ball but they can’t get the final touch away to feed opportunities.
United are attempting to build from deep but De Gea’s kick ends up at Ramsdale’s feet.
What is up with United’s defence? Varane looks to clear but Nketiah intercepts and is almost through.
But just as Arsenal miss a chance, United run away with it with a fantastic Ronaldo pass feeding Elanga. VAR are looking to see if United should have a penalty with Tavares bringing him down in the box but it isn’t given.
Arsenal 1-0 Manchester United, 10 mins
The Gunners have so much space in the midfield but United snatch the ball back.
Ronaldo gets the ball to Fernandes who feeds Elanga. Ramsdales makes a great save to stop an equaliser and concedes a corner.
The ball sails in with McTominay getting his head to it but he sends it wide. United haven’t fallen apart since conceding but this is all Arsenal at the moment.
There’s a break in play at seven minutes for Ronaldo, who sadly lost his son recently, and both sets of fans applaud the striker.
Arsenal supporters may have their hearts in their mouths as Saka is down injured, he looks in a lot of pain. I think he is staying on the pitch.
And as play gets back underway Ramsdale makes a huge error in a clearing kick but Fernandes can’t control the ball.
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