Sunday’s version of Arsenal vs Manchester United, beating the Gunners 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium, taught a new yet familiar lesson in the Premier League.
The Arsenal-Manchester clash is very much back, as fans and neutrals alike will dream of this growing fixture becoming what it was a century ago.
[ MORE: Arsenal vs Man United player ratings ]
Eddie Nketiah wrapped up his armband with a 90-minute winner, joining a terrific goal on Bukayo Saka’s sheet and overshadowing Man United’s goals from M. Rashford and Lisandro Martinez.
The Gunners just keep on rolling as Mikel Arteta’s first-placed youngsters beat bitter rivals Tottenham and have now joined the Man’s old foes in one week, collecting 50 points to take their table-topping lead to five points in the Man City with a match-in-hand.
ARMY POLICE v MANCHESTER UNITED FULL FIGHT REPLAY
But Eric Ten Hag’s Manchester United showed himself in the fold after he pegged us back at Crystal Palace in midweek, battling through boredom before the short climb. The Red Demon’s are 39 points behind third-placed Newcastle United on goal difference.
[ MORE: How to watch Premier League in USA ]
The Arsenal vs Manchester United rivalry has been properly reborn (or at least revived)
We need this.
There are some Premier League non-geographical rivalries that just make a complete fixture, and we’ve been waiting a long time for Arsenal and Manchester United to give us a meaningful top four battle.
Sunday’s meeting combines United’s first win of the season to rekindle the rivalry and allow fans of both sides – as well as neutrals – to wonder if the hopes of Mikel Arteta and Eric Ten Hag will give us a mini-Arsen Wenger vs Alex Ferguson.
The tussle between Bruno Fernandes and Gabriel Magalhaes hinted at Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira (in different places, of course) and the fire in the eyes of goal scorers Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka showed us in particular what scoring can mean. It is a great goal to stay in this.
What is this like with Casemiro, Gabriel Jesus, and Diogo Dalot?
More, please.
Arsenal is still a bit of a front man United
Eric Ten Hag does not have all his parts and the distance between the two sides is not a pocket but it is still noticeable.
Even with home pitch advantage, injuries to Diogo Dalot and Anthony Martial, and – most critically – the suspension of Casemiro, Arsenal were ready to go from the jump, with United adapting much of their day to the dictates of the hosts’ game.
Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka were still limited by Bruno Fernandes, and the Gunners had a more significant advantage in midfield in shooting attempts and expected goals.
But defending Ten Hag did not allow many chances given to the team, which needed an excellent goal from Saka on their way to a point – there are questions about the backs in the Nketia title – and Raphael Varane was something of a cheat in the healthy code. .
United are a step behind the Gunners now, and Nketiah’s winner was deserved and decisive, but we’ll be signing on to the seats when those fixtures come around next season.
Show the stars
Granit Xhaka
Bruno Fernandes
Bukayo Saka
Marcus Rashford
Eddie Nketiah
What’s next?
Arsenal travel to Manchester City for an FA Cup fourth round match on Friday before visiting Verton in the Premier League on February 4.
Man United has three cup games before the next Premier League exit, which takes place on February 4. United go to Nottingham in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final on Wednesday, the Reading Army on Saturday in the FA Cup, then welcome the jump for the 1 second leg of Feb.
Mikel Arteta’s reaction
“It doesn’t get much better than coming here after the derby and getting the win that way. ….. We were really composed and determined together mentally and emotionally. We never panicked and believed, we hit the same thing even better than before.
“You can talk about maturity, but it was about belief and quality, that we wanted to show perseverance to take the game. I rejoice and act for you.’
Arsenal vs Manchester United video highlights: Arsenal 2-2 man United
Marcus Rashford goal video: Man United take 1-0 lead (17′)
Eddie Nketiah’s goal video: Granit Xhaka gets his fifth PL assist this season (24′)
Bukayo Saka goal video: Arsenal star delivers fantastic goal from distance (53′)
Lisandro Martinez goal video: Desperate header pops the ball over the line (59′)
Eddie Nketiah’s goal video: Deft touch saves Arsenal’s win (90′)
Madness!
Eddie Nketiah has come a long way.
📺 @nbc and @peacock #ARSMU | #MyPLMorning pic.twitter.com/NM1hhUvgF1
– NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) on January 22, 2023
How to watch Arsenal v Manchester United live, stream link and start time?
Kick off: 11:30am ET, Sunday
TV Channel: NBC
Online: Stream via NBCSports.com
Key storylines & in-form players to watch
Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, William Saliba and Aaron Ramsdale continue to excel and are in-form and on fire through the backbone of the Arsenal team. Even without Gabriel Jesus they didn’t miss the beat with Eddie Nketiah standing out brilliantly. After this clash against United, they have an FA Cup game and then a Premier League clash against Manchester City to deal with, but then they were easily pinned. Being top of the table at this stage is truly deserved and a win against United would see many predicting the Gunners will have one hand on the Premier League trophy.
United came away in midweek at Palace as Michael Olise’s stunning free-kick in stoppage time denied them a second win. The teams weren’t quite as ruthless but they are still a ways from where everyone thought they would be this season. Marcus Rashford has been fired up in recent weeks, while Lucas Shaw has been a revelation in the middle but his usual back-up has been left with a good fight against Saka. Bruno Fernandes has scored in the last few games and he plays as an attacking unit and Casemiro has been superb, but he is suspended for this game which is a huge blow. Scott McTominay or Fred are expected to replace him in the line-up alongside Christian Eriksen in midfield.
Arsenal team news, injuries, lineup
Gabriel Jesus and Reiss Nelson remain, while Mohamed Elneny is knocked out. Mikel Arteta is rolling out the same starting line again, and why the heck isn’t he?
🔴 TEAMNEWS ⚪️
Gabriel from behind
Odegaard in midfield
Nketiah leads the line👊 rise to battle – together! pic.twitter.com/OjJqnWU9W9
– Arsenal (@Arsenal) on January 22, 2023
Manchester United team news, injuries, lineup
Jadon Sancho, Diogo Dalot and Donny van de Beek are injured, while Casemiro is suspended. Scott McTominay replaces Casemiro in the starting line-up, while Anthony Martial is out so Wout Weghorst starts up again.
team news
But Eric makes one change on Wednesday night, when @McTominay10 came to be suspended @Casemiro.#MUFC || #ARSMUN
– Juventus (@ManUtd) on January 22, 2023
