Arsenal’s Premier League title pursuit received a massive boost on Sunday as they edged past an injury-ravaged Manchester United side with a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Old Trafford. Leandro Trossard’s early strike proved to be the difference, allowing Mikel Arteta’s men to leapfrog Manchester City and return to the top of the table with just two games remaining.
The pivotal encounter, which took the title race down to the wire, witnessed Arsenal showcase their resilience and composure against a determined United outfit. Despite Erik ten Hag’s side pushing relentlessly for an equalizer, the Gunners’ resolute defensive display, highlighted by their 18th clean sheet of the season, ultimately secured all three points.
Trossard’s seventh-minute goal, a clinical finish from Kai Havertz’s precise cross, set the tone for a tense affair. The Belgian’s timely contribution underscored his importance to Arsenal’s cause, with the versatile forward now having opened the scoring in three of the Gunners’ last four Premier League outings.
While United showed glimpses of promise, with Rasmus Hojlund squandering an early opportunity and Amad Diallo’s penalty appeals waved away, Arsenal’s defensive duo of Ben White and the imperious William Saliba stood firm, snuffing out any potential threats from the home side.
As the game progressed, Arsenal demonstrated their maturity and game management, withstanding United’s pressure and relying on the assured presence of goalkeeper Andre Onana to preserve their slender advantage.
The triumph not only propelled Arsenal back to the summit but also marked a significant milestone, as they became the first team since Manchester United in September 1998 to record three consecutive Premier League victories against the Red Devils.
Arteta’s men now find themselves in the driving seat for the ultimate prize, although their destiny is not entirely in their own hands. A win against Everton on the final day, coupled with Manchester City dropping points in their remaining fixtures against Tottenham and West Ham, would see the Gunners claim their first Premier League title since the iconic Invincibles season of 2003-04.
For United, the defeat further dented their hopes of securing European football next season, leaving them three points adrift of Newcastle and Chelsea in the race for the remaining Europa League spot.
Despite the setback, Ten Hag remained upbeat, praising his team’s attitude and acknowledging the challenges posed by an injury-ravaged squad. “We are United. We have a strong bond, and hopefully, we can pay them back in the future,” the Dutchman affirmed, underlining the resilience and unity within his camp.
As the Premier League season reaches its climax, Arsenal’s triumph at Old Trafford has set the stage for a thrilling finale, with the Gunners now tantalisingly close to ending their long wait for domestic supremacy. Regardless of the outcome, Arteta’s side has already showcased their mettle, demonstrating the character and quality required to compete at the highest level.
