Manchester United held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford to further damage the Gunners’ title hopes.
The home side took the lead with their first shot on target just before half-time. Bruno Fernandes’ brilliant free-kick dipped over the Arsenal wall and flew past a helpless David Raya.
Arteta’s side equalised midway through the second half courtesy of Declan Rice, who rescued his team at both ends of the pitch.
As it happened
Heading into their match against Manchester United, Arsenal found themselves 16 points behind league leaders Liverpool. The Gunners knew a win at Old Trafford was a necessity in order to keep their faint title hopes alive. They faced a desperate United side who were hoping to secure back-to-back wins in the league for the first time this season.
Arteta’s side exerted their usual dominance in the first half, but failed to breakdown the United defence – a problem all too familiar in recent times. They came close in the 10th minute when the ball ricocheted in the box and fell to Mikel Merino, but the Spaniard could only drag his shot wide of the post.
United were pinned in their own half for the majority of the first 45 minutes but any sign of promise came down the right-hand side through Alejandro Garnacho. The Argentine won a free-kick on the edge of the box just before the interval, which saw Bruno Fernandes hand his side the lead against the run of play. The United captain expertly sent his free-kick over the wall, beating David Raya in net.
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Arsenal came racing out of the blocks in the second half in search of an equaliser. Two innovative corner routines saw them come close, as Martin Ødegaard had his left-footed effort from 20-yards out tipped over the bar by André Onana before Declan Rice blazed an effort into the Stretford End.
The Red Devils were much more threatening after the break and came close to doubling their lead. In the 53rd minute, Noussair Mazraoui was found in the box by his fellow wing-back Diogo Dalot, but his volley was instinctively saved by the right leg of Raya. The Arsenal goalkeeper was called into action moments later as Joshua Zirkzee tried an audacious flick in the six-yard box but Raya stood firm to keep his side in the game.
United’s missed chances were punished by Declan Rice’s equaliser in the 74th minute. Jurrien Timber worked his way into the penalty area and pulled it back to Rice, whose first-time strike flashed through a body of players and struck the inside of the post to beat Onana.
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Manchester United hadn’t lost a league game at Old Trafford when leading at half-time since May 1984, and with a prestigious record on the line, it was the home side who ended the game the strongest.
Substitute Rasmus Højlund came close twice but was denied by some brilliant defending from the Gunners. The Danish striker was through on goal in the 84th minute but a last-ditch tackle from Rice rescued Arsenal once again. Højlund almost converted Collyer’s low-driven cross minutes later but Gabriel stepped in to block him.
As the game entered “Fergie time”, United came inches away from a shock win. Fernandes latched onto Mazraoui’s cross but Raya superbly blocked the Portuguese’s effort. As time seemingly stood still, the ball almost spun into the net, but Raya raced back to claw it from going over the line.
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The draw sees Arsenal slip further away from Liverpool, who now only require 16 points to obtain their 20th league title. For Ruben Amorim, there will be plenty of positives to take from a spirited second half performance despite not holding on for the three points.
The lineups
MUN: Onana; Yoro, Lindelöf, De Ligt; Dalot, Fernandes, Casemiro, Mazraoui; Garnacho, Zirkzee, Eriksen
ARS: Raya; Calafiori, Gabriel, Saliba, Timber; Rice, Partey, Ødegaard; Trossard, Merino, Nwaneri