Declan Rice
Declan Rice had another good game and was the driving force as the hosts made sure of the three points
Arsenal kept up their hopes of the title with a solid, if unspectacular, win over Manchester United. Goals from Jurrien Timber and William Saliba, both from corners, were enough to secure the three points for the hosts at a wet Emirates.
This result and performance will have told new Man Utd manager Ruben Amorim a lot about the size of the task on his hands. Here Telegraph Sport appraises both hosts and visitors – who was as wet as the weather and who was able to shine brightly in the gloom?
Arsenal (4-3-3)
David Raya
Received a standing ovation from the home crowd after a fabulous save to deny Matthijs De Ligt. Assured in possession, as he always is. 7/10
Jurrien Timber
Not signed for his aerial power but was in the right place to score his first Arsenal goal. Such a dynamic and versatile footballer. 7/10
Arsenal just LOVE scoring from set-pieces!
Jurrien Timber glances his header into the net to hand the Gunners a lead over Man Utd! #PLonPrime #ARSMUN pic.twitter.com/x3Nv5JTmeQ
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) December 4, 2024
William Saliba
Arsenal’s standout player in the first half, surging past challenges and stopping counter-attacks, and then a goalscorer in the second. 8/10
Man Utd just CANNOT DEAL with Arsenal's corners! 😯
The Gunners have their second goal thanks to William Saliba! ✌️#PLonPrime #ARSMUN pic.twitter.com/N2JQ105S8Q
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) December 4, 2024
Jakub Kiwior
Filling in for the injured Gabriel, he did an excellent job. United’s forwards offered nothing, in part because Kiwior and Saliba were so physically dominant. 8/10
Oleksandr Zinchenko
Booked in the second half after losing Amad Diallo but had provided control and patience with his passing before his substitution for Mikel Merino. 6/10
Martin Odegaard
Struggled at times in the first half as United restricted his space in midfield. As the game opened up, though, the Arsenal captain began to find his stride. 7/10
Thomas Partey
Like Odegaard, he grew into the game after the break. Moved to right-back in the second half and was solid in that defensive role. 6/10
Declan Rice
Drove Arsenal forward after the break, going close to scoring and then creating Timber’s goal. United could not handle his power in midfield. 8/10
Bukayo Saka
Will be disappointed he did not score from Odegaard’s neat pass but was a constant threat in the second half. His set piece deliveries are deadly. 7/10
Kai Havertz
German forward was unable to link up with Odegaard and Saka as normal, instead having to battle with United’s three centre-backs. Kept working. 6/10
Gabriel Martinelli
A difficult night as United doubled up on him. When he had space, he did not make the most of it. Replaced by Leandro Trossard, who was more dangerous. 5/10
Substitutes
Merino (Zinchenko 71), Trossard (Martinelli 71), Jorginho (Odegaard 90)
Manchester United (3-4-2-1)
Andre Onana
Did well to deny Saka at his near post but could he have done more to reduce Arsenal’s threat at corners? A tough ask against Arteta’s giants. 6/10
Matthijs de Ligt
Never looked entirely comfortable in possession and was unable to stop Arsenal’s set-piece dominance. Almost scored with a powerful header. 5/10
Harry Maguire
Booked for time wasting in the second half as United tried to break Arsenal’s flow. Substituted before the hour mark for young Leny Yoro. 6/10
Noussair Mazraoui
Few players have defended as adeptly against Saka as Mazraoui did in the first half. As with so many of his team-mates, though, the second half was far harder. 6/10
Diogo Dalot
Switched from the right wing to the left in the second half but could not provide much attacking threat from either position. Chasing Saka is an unenviable task. 5/10
Manuel Ugarte
If the first half was a demonstration of his positional intelligence, then the second highlighted his physical shortcomings in comparison to Rice. 5/10
Bruno Fernandes
United lost their grip on the midfield after the break, with Fernandes and Ugarte swimming against the tide after a good first half. 5/10
Tyrell Malacia
A spirited defensive effort from a player making his first league start since May 2023. Removed at half-time as he continues to build his fitness. 7/10
Mason Mount
Produced a crucial block to deny Rice but was unable to offer much in attack before he was substituted after an hour. 6/10
Alejandro Garnacho
Diligent in his defensive work but, like his team-mates, contributed precious little to United’s counter-attacking threat. Failed to trouble Timber. 5/10
Rasmus Hojlund
Neither quick nor strong enough to truly test Saliba, who was always in control. United needed more from their frontman as the going got tough. 5/10
Substitutes
Diallo (Malacia 46), Rashford (Mount 59), Zirkzee (Garnacho 59), Yoro (Maguire 59), Antony (Hojlund 79)
Join the conversation
The Telegraph values your comments but kindly requests all posts are on topic, constructive and respectful. Please review our commenting policy.