Manchester United delivered a major setback to Arsenal’s Premier League title push as Matheus Cunha’s outstanding strike sealed a dramatic 3-2 victory over the league leaders on Sunday.
An unfortunate own goal by Lisandro Martinez handed Arsenal an early advantage at the Emirates Stadium, but United responded before the break through Bryan Mbeumo.
Patrick Dorgu then turned the game on its head after half-time with a powerful finish, only for Mikel Merino’s late equaliser to appear to have salvaged a point for the hosts.
The contest, however, swung decisively three minutes from time when Cunha unleashed a sensational drive to claim all three points for United.
The defeat ended Arsenal’s 13-game unbeaten run across all competitions, their first loss since falling to Aston Villa in December. It also marked their first home defeat in 18 matches in all competitions since losing to Bournemouth in May.
As a result, Arsenal’s lead at the top has been trimmed to just four points, with second-placed Manchester City and third-placed Aston Villa closing in after weekend victories over Wolves and Newcastle. City manager Pep Guardiola recently described Arsenal as the “best team in the world”, but a three-game winless run in the league has reignited the title race.
While Arsenal remain in control of their destiny, recent goalless draws against Liverpool and Nottingham Forest had already unsettled supporters, and this latest defeat will further test Mikel Arteta’s side. Arteta has not won silverware since lifting the 2020 FA Cup, and with Arsenal still waiting 22 years for another league title, memories of previous late-season collapses are resurfacing.
For United, the victory was historic, ending a run without a win at the Emirates Stadium stretching back to December 2017. It also extended Michael Carrick’s impressive start as interim manager. The former Middlesbrough boss, appointed following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim, had already stunned Manchester City 2-0 last weekend. Successive wins over the league’s top two have lifted United into fourth place after a turbulent period earlier in the campaign.
Arsenal began brightly and were rewarded in the 29th minute following a chaotic sequence. Dorgu failed to deal with Piero Hincapie’s cross, Bukayo Saka reacted quickly to deliver a ball towards Martin Odegaard, and although the Arsenal captain failed to connect cleanly, Martinez misjudged his clearance under pressure from Jurrien Timber, diverting the ball into his own net.
Despite Arsenal’s dominance, United capitalised on a costly error eight minutes later. Martin Zubimendi’s weak back pass was intercepted by Mbeumo, who rounded David Raya and calmly slotted home, marking his ninth goal in all competitions since arriving from Brentford and underlining his steady adaptation to life at Old Trafford.
United carried that momentum into the second half, and five minutes after the restart, Bruno Fernandes released Dorgu, who took a touch before firing a stunning 20-yard effort into the top corner. Arsenal appeals for handball were dismissed after VAR review, and the goal stood, silencing the home crowd. Dorgu’s second goal in as many games justified Carrick’s decision to deploy the 21-year-old in a more advanced role.
Arsenal refused to fold and eventually found a way back in the 84th minute through a familiar route. From another dangerous corner delivered by Saka, goalkeeper Lammens failed to claim the ball, allowing Merino to force it home from close range.
But any hope of a comeback was extinguished moments later. A slick exchange between Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo opened space for Cunha, and the Brazilian produced a breathtaking strike from 25 yards that flew beyond Raya to seal a memorable win.
What you should know
Arsenal’s loss tightens the Premier League title race and raises fresh questions about their ability to maintain composure under pressure.
Despite still leading the table, dropped points in recent weeks have allowed rivals to close the gap. For Manchester United, the result highlights a dramatic turnaround under interim boss Michael Carrick, who has engineered wins over the top two teams.
Cunha’s late winner not only underlined United’s growing confidence but also ensured Arsenal face a tense run-in as the season heads toward its decisive phase.
