Manchester City travelled to take on Manchester United at Old Trafford as they looked to close the gap on Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table.
14:28, 17 Jan 2026Updated 14:58, 17 Jan 2026
Erling Haaland looks dejected during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford.
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Manchester City fell to a 2-0 loss against rivals Manchester United in a boost to Arsenal's Premier League title hopes. (Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Arsenal have been handed a big title boost with Manchester City dropping points in the race to finish at the top of the table.
Pep Guardiola's men travelled to take on rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford looking to pick up all three points to put the pressure on Arsenal ahead of their game against Nottingham Forest.
They however fell to a shock 2-0 loss, thanks to goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu. United thought that they had made it 3-0 through Mason Mount, but the goal was chalked off for offside.
After that goal went in, Sky Sports' pundit an commentator Gary Neville sent a clear title message to Arsenal by saying: "For Arsenal - that Premier League title is yours to go and grab."
Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is beaten by the second goal of the match scored by Patrick Dorgu during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford.
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Manchester United came out as 2-0 winners over Arsenal's title rivals Manchester City. (Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
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The result means that Arsenal are remain six points ahead of City in second place, but have the chance to increase that lead to nine points when they are in action later today (5.30pm kick-off).
The Gunners travel to the East Midland to take on Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. Sean Dyche's men are just above the Premier League relegation zone.
Arsenal may also have their eyes on Aston Villa. Unai Emery's men are on the same points as Man City and sit in third place in the table.
They are in action on Sunday when they host Everton at Villa Park (4.30pm). The results of both the Arsenal and Villa games will determine what lead the Gunners have at the top of the table.
With City kicking off early and Arsenal in the later kick-off, some of the squad may have taken the chance to keep an eye on the game. But ahead of the clash against Forest, Arteta outlined the importance of Arsenal focusing on themselves.
"We know that we can only focus on what we can do," he said in his pre-match press conference. "When the games are earlier, you have the possibility to see them.
"Usually, they are later the same, nothing changes, but the only focus and the aim is to prepare for a very, very tough match, and we have experienced that over there, and we have to win it."
Next week sees a similar situation for Arsenal with City again in action before. Guardiola's side face bottom-of-the-table Wolves at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon (3pm kick-off), while Arsenal are in action on Sunday (4.30pm) when they host Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal will be hoping for another shock result to further boost their position in the table. The game between Man United and Man City could also serve as a warning ahead of next week's clash against Michael Carrick's team.
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