Arsenal punish Man Utd from set-pieces to close gap on Liverpool

Objectives from two nook routines handed Ruben Amorim his first Premier League defeat as Manchester United have been overwhelmed 2-0 by Arsenal on the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.

After being pissed off within the first half by United, the hosts discovered the breakthrough when Jurrien Timber glanced Declan Rice’s nook past Andre Onana within the 54th minute.

Arsenal doubled their lead in comparable trend, this time from the alternative aspect when Bukayo Saka’s back-post supply was headed again throughout by Thomas Partey, with William Saliba offering the of entirety.

Kai Havertz virtually put the hosts additional in entrance however was thwarted by Onana, with substitute Mikel Merino almost scoring from one other nook moments later.

Regardless of their victory, Arsenal drop to 3rd on objective distinction after Chelsea’s 5-1 thrashing of Southampton, however they shut the hole to leaders Liverpool to seven factors, whereas United are eleventh.

How the match unfolded

Arsenal had the ball within the web inside the primary 5 minutes when Gabriel Martinelli tucked house from Havertz’s cushioned cross, however the offside flag was raised with German forward of play.

Regardless of being with out the injured Gabriel Magalhaes, the Gunners virtually went forward by a nook routine, with Saka’s supply headed narrowly huge by Partey.

Nonetheless, the hosts did get themselves forward with a well-worked set-piece within the second half, with Timber brilliantly flicking Rice’s nook in on the entrance submit for his first Arsenal objective.

They continued to threaten from corners and virtually went two up when one other in-swinging supply from Rice was headed off the road by a mix of Joshua Zirkzee and Manuel Ugarte.

However the Gunners sealed the win within the 73rd minute by one other nook, with Saliba guiding the ball over the road after being discovered by Partey’s header throughout objective.

Arsenal set-pieces do the enterprise

Many groups have weapons, and Arsenal confirmed that set-pieces are one in every of theirs as they overcame a tepid first-half show to win comfortably.

The Gunners have been unable to create any clear-cut possibilities within the opening exchanges, failing to register a shot on course within the first 45 minutes, however began after the interval on the entrance foot.

Partey’s chipped cross picked out Timber, who pulled the ball again for Martin Odegaard. Rice, nevertheless, couldn’t discover the of entirety, however he proved his effectiveness on set-piece duties when he picked out Timber for the opening objective.

Arsenal dominated proceedings after that, although have been handed some nervy moments on the different finish by their opponents. They managed to discover a two-goal cushion by Saliba, and maybe ought to have scored extra.

Havertz noticed his near-post effort brilliantly blocked by Onana earlier than Merino headed narrowly huge afterward.

It’s a London derby subsequent for the Gunners, in opposition to Fulham at Craven Cottage, the place Marco Silva would be the subsequent supervisor tasked with stopping Arsenal’s spectacular set-pieces.

A lot to ponder for Amorim

Amorim made six adjustments to his beginning line-up from their victory over Everton as he continues to determine his greatest aspect throughout his early tenure. He would have been pleased with these alterations within the first half.

Whereas not providing a lot in the way in which of a risk within the ahead areas, with Rasmus Hojlund an remoted determine on the prime of their assault, United pissed off their opponents for big elements of the opening 45 minutes. They may have even gone in entrance when Jakub Kiwior’s poor clearance fell to Diogo Dalot, who fired narrowly huge.

However United’s undoing got here from set-pieces, with Timber’s opener slowing their progress. They may have levelled by a routine of their very own when Matthijs de Ligt’s header was brilliantly tipped over the crossbar by David Raya from a Bruno Fernandes free-kick.

Arsenal’s second objective, scored by Saliba, left an air of inevitability concerning the outcome, with United once more unable to defend a nook. There was the optimistic of Leny Yoro’s first Premier League look, however the French defender was unable to cease the hosts’ dead-ball dominance.

Amorim can be hoping to return to successful methods at house to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

What the managers stated

Mikel Arteta: “Very glad, it was a particular night time on this unbelievable stadium. I feel we deserved to win the sport. We modified the group due to some accidents, however what an vitality within the stadium.

“We bought into the second half and we modified a number of issues – the group was excellent. The group wants each doable outcome to win the sport – let’s proceed that.”

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Subsequent Premier League fixtures

Key information

Arsenal have gained 4 consecutive league matches in opposition to Man Utd for the primary time of their historical past. They’ve additionally gained every of their final 4 house league video games in opposition to the Crimson Devils; their longest such run since April 1978 (seven in a row).

Amorim suffered his first league defeat since December 2023 (Sporting CP 2-3 Vitoria Guimaraes), with tonight’s outcome ending a 34-game unbeaten run for the Portuguese coach in league competitions (W31 D3).

Arsenal have scored extra targets from corners (22) than some other group within the Premier League for the reason that begin of final season, with each of their targets in opposition to Man Utd coming this fashion. Ten of these have opened the scoring in a match, which can also be a league-high determine on this interval.

Man Utd conceded two targets from corners in a Premier League match for the primary time since January 2014 (two in opposition to Chelsea, each scored by Samuel Eto’o).