Arsenal leave it late again as Arteta hopes Man Utd win gives them lift-off
It finished in an unforgettable crescendo. Two Arsenal goals in added time, Declan Rice’s wild celebrations and Manchester United cursing after a remarkable emotional rollercoaster at the Emirates.
The Arsenal fans could barely believe their eyes because what had been a rather average game, played out by two rather average-looking teams, suddenly produced in stoppage time.
Down the years, this fixture has always produced drama, controversy and anger and this time was no different even if it came late amid rows over VAR decisions.
Arsenal will feel energised and their start to the campaign looks decent after three wins and a draw from their opening four games while they have yet to play anywhere near their best.
They have made such a habit of winning games in the dying stages and last season those last gasp wins galvanised them and drove their whole season.
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Mikel Arteta will be hoping this now gives them lift-off again while, in contrast, United’s stop-start season - two wins and two draws - makes you wonder whether Erik ten Hag’s men are good enough to keep progressing this season.
Rice, who was Arsenal’s big money buy this summer, was excellent again and Arteta has clearly invested well while United still look a long way from being the finished article.
It is hard to see either team overhauling Manchester City in this season’s title race but Arsenal do at least have some momentum.
Arsenal's players celebrate Declan Rice's strikeEven after falling behind, Arsenal came back. They do have a great spirit. Kai Havertz is struggling badly and it was his error - a clumsy pass - which started United’s move for their 27th minute opener.
Christian Eriksen led the charge, played in Marcus Rashford and Arsenal’s defenders allowed him the space to cut inside and curl a brilliant shot inside the far post.
But United’s lead lasted all of 35 seconds. Oleksandr Zinchenko, Eddie Nkeitah and Gabriel Martinelli combined to set up Arsenal’s Captain Marvel Martin Odegaard to sweep home with a brilliant finish.
Arsenal began to dominate. Havertz made a darting run into the box, went between Aaron Wan-Bisska and Casemiro, went down and referee Anthony Taylor gave a penalty only for VAR to send him to the screen and he changed his mind.
It was not a blatant foul but it is hard to see where Havertz could go as he was sandwiched. And the VAR were supposed to have a higher bar before stepping in.
Bukayo Saka, who looked shattered throughout, missed a sitter after 81 minutes. New United signing Rasmus Hojlund came on for his debut and gave the visitors more of a cutting edge.
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United substitute Alejandro Garnacho then thought he had won it after 88 minutes only for VAR to rule he was offside by the width of a shoulder. You are not supposed to be able to argue with technology but it did not feel right.
It looked destined for a draw. But it all changed in the 96th minute. Saka’s deep corner carried to the back post, Rice swivelled and smashed home via a deflection off Jonny Evans which took the ball past United keeper Andre Onana at his near post.
Ten Hag screamed foul for Gabriel’s challenge on Evans. But that looked as tenuous as his claims for a penalty for an earlier foul by Gabriel on Hojlund.
Arsenal celebrated Rice’s goal so much that even more time was added. Just enough for Arsenal substitute Gabriel Jesus to break clear, latch onto Fabio Vieira’s pass and then finish with incredible composure for a third in the 101st minute.
And for anyone to keep their composure in the wild scenes at the end really deserves huge credit.
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