Goals from Bryan Mbeumo, Patrick Dorgu and Matheus Cunha sealed the points for interim boss Michael Carrick after Lisandro Martinez’s own goal had given Mikel Arteta’s side the lead.
Arsenal looked like a team desperate to re-establish themselves as the firm favourites for the Premier League title from minute one against United, but despite a dominant opening 20 minutes, the Gunners took the form of a blunt instrument in attack.
Gabriel Jesus scored twicein the 3-1 win over Inter Milan at the San Siro on Tuesday, although the Brazilian struggled to make an impact against Carrick’s side on Sunday with barely a sniff of an opportunity in the first half.
But Arsenal dominated the first half, and deservedly took the lead thanks to yet another own goal, as Lisandro Martinez wrestled with Jurrien Timber at the back post before tapping Martin Odegaard’s flick-on into his own net.
It was a sliding doors moment in the match. United had barely strung a sequence of passes together inside the Arsenal half prior to the goal, although Arteta’s side taking the lead seemed to encourage the visitors.
There were warning signs almost immediately after Martinez’s own goal. Straight from the restart, United were in behind Arsenal. Bryan Mbeumo was allowed time and space to break beyond William Saliba, who backpedalled to close the angle before Mbeumo set up United captain Bruno Fernandes, who could only fire wide of goal.
With the alarm bells ringing, Arteta instructed his team to stay focused and regain their shape. The players obliged, but United were soon level as Arsenal became architects of their own downfall.
Martin Zubimendi had dropped into the backline to receive the ball from Gabriel and chose to make a first-time pass in the direction of David Raya, which Mbeumo was wise to, as the Cameroonian pounced to equalise for the visitors.
Arsenal turned their dominance into self-destruction in just seconds. Arteta couldn’t believe what he was seeing as his team looked like they had forgotten how good they were.
As the second half kicked off, the pressure gauge had truly wound back in favour of Michael Carrick’s side. All of a sudden, the visitors were playing with freedom and control.
The Gunners had completely lost their composure. United were winning almost every second ball, and the hosts simply did not seem to know what to do when they had the ball back. United’s pressing was relentless and forced Arsenal into numerous errors, soon taking an inevitable lead.
Despite a brief VAR check to decipher whether the ball had struck the arm of Patrick Dorgu to spare Arsenal’s blushes, the Dane took advantage of another Martin Zubimendi error before unleashing an unstoppable half-volley in off the underside of David Raya’s crossbar.
The collective feeling of dejection inside the Emirates Stadium was almost tangible. Arsenal looked dumbfounded – struggling to come to terms with the idea of dropping yet more points in their pursuit of a first Premier League title since 2004.
Arteta turned to his bench to introduce some much-needed firepower. Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze, Mikel Merino and Ben White were all brought on, but the lack of intensity continued to plague the Gunners.
After a spell of possession and numerous chances to get the ball into the United box, Arteta’s side managed to restore parity. Bukayo Saka delivered a dangerous corner into the Manchester United penalty area before Mikel Merino reacted quickest to prod the ball over the line to send the Emirates wild.
The goal felt like a huge moment in Arsenal’s season. Merino has come up with some important goals for Arteta’s team since arriving in 2024 from Real Sociedad, but perhaps none more crucial than this one.
Just as Arsenal looked like they might have given themselves a fighting chance of rescuing all three points from a match they had looked indifferent in, Matheus Cunha came up with a sensational winner.
The Manchester United substitute somehow found space between the Arsenal midfield and defence as he curled the ball brilliantly past Raya from 25 yards out.
The stadium was shaken to its core. Arteta retreated from his technical area while Carrick turned to his coaching staff with a beaming smile. The mood of the two managers couldn’t have been more different.
Despite several attempts to lay siege on the United goal, referee Craig Pawson raised his whistle to his lips and blew for full-time.
This was the first time Arsenal had lost at home this season, both domestically and in Europe, but Arteta’s team looked bereft of ideas, energy and confidence.
There is a school of thought to suggest that United’s eight-day rest from action may have played a significant part in how this game played out. Arteta’s team looked tired, but his squad allows for that given the summer expenditure.
It is also probably the first time the Gunners have truly capitulated under pressure. Arsenal are often praised for the control they exert on the opposition, although a spineless second-half display against a side that has struggled for momentum all season only fuels the accusation of this group’s likelihood to get over the line this season.
Teams:
Arsenal: Raya (GK), Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard (C), Saka, Trossard, Jesus
Subs: Kepa (GK), Mosquera, White, Eze, Martinelli, Gyökeres, Madueke, Merino, Lewis-Skelly
Man United: Lammens (GK), Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro, Mainoo, Fernandes (C), Amad, Dorgu, Mbeumo
Subs: Bayindir (GK), Mazraoui, Mount, Cunha, Malacia, Yoro, Ugarte, Heaven, Sesko