Talking Points: Arsenal 3 United 2
Manchester United suffered a cruel last-gasp 3-2 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates in the Premier League.
Having taken the lead through Marcus Rashford, the scores were level at the break thanks to an Eddie Nketiah goal.
An action-packed second half saw Bukayo Saka put the hosts ahead, before a Lisandro Martinez header levelled things up, but it was to be Nketiah who would make the decisive impact in the closing stages.
Below are the key discussion points from our trip to London...
Arsenal 3 Manchester United 2
ArticleUnited's unbeaten run comes to an end after late heartbreak at the Emirates.
DESERVED MORE
The league position of the Gunners is testament to the different proposition they have posed teams this season and, on another day, it might have been United to find a winner. The result ends a run of 10 unbeaten in all competitions for the Reds and it is only the second time this season we have dropped points in successive league outings.
RASHFORD ROCKET
Marcus Rashford’s strike after 17 minutes was a superb strike. Picking the ball up from Bruno Fernandes on the left, he darted infield and set himself perfectly. The effort he unleashed into the bottom corner gave Aaron Ramsdale no chance. It was the 25-year-old’s 17th goal of the season and his 110th in all for United. Curiously though, it was his first away league goal having started a match since December 2020, owing to the fact his last four on the road in the Premier League have all come after being introduced as a substitute.
FRED BREAKS UNITED RECORD
midfielder Fred made history by accumulating the most appearances for the club by a Brazilian player. United’s no.17 entered the fray on 71 minutes and in turn made his 182nd appearance for the Reds overtaking fellow midfielder Anderson to set a new club record. Congratulations to Fred!
MAGIC MARTINEZ
Known more for his defensive exploits, which were perfectly on show when he produced a fabulous last-ditch sliding challenge to deny Granit Xhaka, Lisandro Martinez opened his goalscoring account for United in superb fashion. The defender, who joined from Ajax in the summer, latched onto the ball following a Christian Eriksen corner and weighted an exquisite looping header over Gabriel Martinelli on the line to make it 2-2. He marked his goal with a fitting, exuberant celebration in front of the away fans who adore the World-Cup winner.
Ten Hag: All three Arsenal goals were avoidable
Erik was annoyed with our lack of defensive discipline, and says we have to learn quickly from this defeat...
ALL EYES ON THE CUP
As always at this time of year, there is little time to dwell on results as matches are coming thick and fast. Our next assignment is the matter of a cup semi-final – the first leg of our Carabao Cup last-four tie which is away to Nottingham Forest. The opportunity to put ourselves in a commanding position will no doubt be strong motivation to bounce back after the Emirates' disappointment.