Arsenal achieved an historic milestone with their 2-0 win over Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium, marking their fourth consecutive league victory over United for the first time.
Goals from Jurrien Timber and William Saliba, both from set-pieces, proved decisive in breaking down a resilient United side.
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 04: Jurrien Timber of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's first goal with a header as Andre Onana of Manchester United fails to make a save during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United FC at Emirates Stadium on December 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Timber opened the scoring in the 53rd minute, rising above the defence to head in from a Declan Rice corner. Saliba added the second after a deflection from a Bukayo Saka corner.
Arsenal previously won four in a row against United, when you factor in all competitions, with one of those victories, in the late 90s, in the Charity Shield. They had never done it in the league alone until now.
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 04: Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United applauds the fans, whilst wearing a rainbow coloured captains armband, after defeat to Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United FC at Emirates Stadium on December 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Manchester United managed four league wins in a row over Arsenal in the old Division One between 1951 and 1952, and 1956 to 1958, while they achieved five between 1983 and 1985.
Mikel Arteta celebrated the historic achievement, stating, “It’s a very special night, celebrating 100 games in this incredible stadium against an opponent with so much history.” He praised the team’s set-piece success and defensive resilience, as they held United at bay throughout.
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 04: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, applauds the fans after the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United FC at Emirates Stadium on December 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
United’s Ruben Amorim acknowledged Arsenal’s superiority in set-pieces, admitting, “We need to improve in a lot of areas of our game, but we were controlling the game.”
They weren’t.
With this result, Arsenal cut Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points after Newcastle denied them at the death.
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