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Manchester United‘s good run of kind continued with an action-packed 3-1 win over Arsenal on Sunday because the Gunners suffered their first defeat of the season.
A debut aim from Antony — in his debut appearance for Man United after his switch from Ajax days earlier — punctuated a assured win for the Crimson Devils, now their fourth in a row.
– Report: Man United-Arsenal | Premier League table | Upcoming fixtures
To not be outdone, Marcus Rashford scored twice, canceling out a aim from Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka. (A would-be aim from Gabriel Martinelli inside 14 minutes of the match was waived off for a foul within the lead-up.)
ESPN’s Rob Dawson has response and evaluation.
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Table of Contents
1. Man United finish Arsenal’s successful run and lengthen their very own
Within the aftermath of the 4-0 defeat to Brentford, it was exhausting to think about Manchester United would win their subsequent 4 video games — together with victories over Liverpool and Arsenal — however that is how far they’ve come beneath Erik ten Hag. The Dutchman’s determination to start out new boy Antony paid off with a debut aim whereas he was additionally rewarded for conserving religion with Marcus Rashford, who scored twice within the second half.
In reality, there wasn’t a lot between the 2 groups however Man United have been higher within the essential moments and Mikel Arteta can be left to choose up his Arsenal gamers after a primary defeat of the season. It appears unbelievable that after opening defeats to Brighton and Brentford, Man United may begin September by shifting to inside two factors of Manchester City. However Ten Hag has been boosted by a powerful finish to the switch window and his workforce have constructed some momentum earlier than the worldwide break on the finish of the month.
It has already been an unpredictable season but when they string a couple of extra wins collectively they are going to begin to be talked about as potential title contenders. It occurred to Arsenal after successful 5 in a row and United have now received 4 successive league recreation for the primary time since April 2021.
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2. Antony makes on the spot influence
Not everybody can cope with the stress of being a big-money signing at Manchester United however Antony already seems to be the half.
The winger, signed for €100m from Ajax on deadline day, wanted solely 35 minutes to announce himself to Previous Trafford with a crisp end whipped into the nook to place United 1-0 up.
It got here simply moments after the Arsenal followers within the nook of the stadium had jeered the Brazilian after one flashy trick got here to nothing, and Antony was fast to get his revenge by celebrating in entrance of the away supporters with the ball up his shirt and his thumb in his mouth. It prompted a warning from referee Paul Tierney, but when nothing else confirmed that the 22-year-old shouldn’t be the kind to shrink beneath the highlight of an intense environment.
He has been dropped at United, as a lot for his character as his skill on the pitch. There can be quite a bit anticipated of Antony, who confirmed his confidence with an try and chip Aaron Ramsdale from 35 yards, after changing into the membership’s second costliest signing ever and he’s wasted no time in displaying that he’s well worth the cash.
It already seems to be like he’ll deliver pleasure and a little bit of chew to Ten Hag’s workforce.
3. Frustration for Arsenal however nonetheless shifting in the proper path
Arsenal have not received their first six video games of a top-flight season since 1947, so it isn’t the top of the world that their successful run got here to an finish at Previous Trafford and Arteta can take loads of positives.
Apart from his gripe with a few of the refereeing choices — together with the choice to chalk off Gabriel Martinelli‘s early aim after a VAR test — his workforce have been in management for giant chunks of the sport and it was solely as a result of Man United have been extra medical in entrance of aim that Arsenal misplaced for the primary time this season.
Will probably be a priority for Arteta that Arsenal’s first actual take a look at this season has led to defeat however he may also know that on a unique day, his gamers may have earned at the very least a degree. This Arsenal workforce remains to be a piece in progress however has been thrust into the title debate due to their spectacular begin.
Finally, their aim this season is to qualify for the Champions League after narrowly lacking out on the finish of final season and even after a set-back at Previous Trafford, they nonetheless look greater than succesful. Arsenal got here off second finest within the large moments however Arteta will not be too disheartened.
Man United: De Gea 7, Dalot 6, Malacia 7, Martinez 7, Varane 7, McTominay 7, Eriksen 8, Fernandes 7, Sancho 6, Antony 7, Rashford 7.
Subs: Ronaldo 6, Fred 6, Casemiro 6, Maguire 5.
Arsenal: Ramsdale 6, White 6, Zinchenko 6, Saliba 5, Gabriel 5, Lokonga 5, Xhaka 5, Odegaard 5, Saka 7, Martinelli 6, Jesus 6.
Subs: Nketiah 6, Smith Rowe 6, Vieira 6, Tomiyasu 6.
BEST: Cristian Eriksen, Manchester United
It was two fast passes ahead from the Denmark worldwide that set-up Man United’s first two targets after which he acquired an help himself by laying on the third for Rashford.
WORST: Gabriel, Arsenal
The Arsenal defender will not wish to see Rashford’s two targets once more after Man United have been twice allowed to smash their means by means of the center with little resistance.
A well-taken strike by Gabriel Martinelli was disallowed by VAR early within the first half. The VAR decided that Martin Odegaard had fouled Man United’s Christian Eriksen to win possession for Arsenal to spark the assault.
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That canceled aim proved expensive within the thirty sixth minute when Antony scored his debut aim in his debut look as a Man United man.
(On Thursday, the membership announced Antony had completed a move from Ajax and signed a contract till 2027.)
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Bukayo Saka’s then scored his first aim of the season for Arsenal with what regarded like an essential equalizer.
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However Marcus Rashford quickly put Man United forward once more.
The Crimson Devils stayed in management and Arsenal could not claw their means again.
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Verify again shortly for updates…
Man United’s four-game successful streak is its longest since March-April 2021, after they received 5 in a row.
Antony scored in his Man United debut, mirroring his debut with earlier membership Ajax in September 2020.
Per Opta, Antony turned the one hundredth totally different Brazilian to play within the Premier League and the youngest to attain in his debut (22 years and 192 days previous).
Solely Nicolas Anelka (23) scored extra Premier League targets for Arsenal earlier than turning 21 than Bukayo Saka (18).
Marcus Rashford has tied David Beckham (62) for ninth place for many Premier League targets all-time with Man United. Solely Wayne Rooney (183), Paul Scholes (107) and Andrew Cole (93) scored extra PL targets for Man United amongst English gamers.
This was Marcus Rashford’s second Premier League recreation with at the very least two targets and an help. He is the fifth Man United participant over the past 15 years to file a number of such league video games together with Wayne Rooney (7), Bruno Fernandes (2), Cristiano Ronaldo (2) and Ashley Younger (2).
Cristiano Ronaldo nonetheless in search of his first aim of the season (six video games performed). That is the fifth longest scoreless drought to start out the season in his profession.
Manchester United: Up subsequent, the Crimson Devils host Actual Sociedad on Thursday, Sept. 8 at 3 p.m. ET within the group stage of the Europa League. Then, on Sunday, Sept. 11, Man United return to Premier League motion after they head to Crystal Palace.
Arsenal: Up subsequent, the Gunners go to FC Zurich on Thursday, Sept. 8 at 12:45 p.m. ET within the group stage of the Europa League. Then, on Sunday, Sept. 11, Arsenal return to Premier League motion after they host Everton.