Arsenal vs Manchester United 3-1: Premier League – as it happened

This might be the best match of the season so far as Arsenal and Manchester United live up to the billing to produce an instant classic, depending on which side your allegiance falls.

The late overturned goal by United’s Alejandro Garnacho could very well have created a different script.

In the end, though, Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus put away chances in stoppage time to ensure Arsenal came away with a vital three points.

With this victory, the Gunners hold on to fifth place while the Red Devils fall to 11th.

We hope you enjoyed our coverage, and do make sure to join us again as we continue following select Premier League matches for the rest of the season.

Pulse pounding.#ARSMUN pic.twitter.com/qOkpKziF0Z

— Premier League (@premierleague) September 3, 2023

The man of the moment, Declan Rice, shares his thoughts after scoring the game winner: “As an outsider watching Arsenal-United over the years, you understand the heritage and the big players who have played in these games.”

“We were knocking at the door. We thought we were a constant threat. If you don’t shoot you don’t score. It was a special moment,” he said.

“Arsenal is a massive club and I feel the pressure [regarding his price tag], but I try to put in the performances. I am continuing to learn and improve. I want to push this club to the next level.”

“I thought we were sloppy in the first half, and they caught us on the counter. The one at the end could have been a goal [Alejandro Garnacho’s offside goal], but it is all about fine margins.”

Declan Rice, what a time to get your first Arsenal goal! pic.twitter.com/9TAnsCgMiE

— Detroit Gooner (@GoonerInDetroit) September 3, 2023

Arsenal have won three consecutive Premier League home games against Man Utd for the first time in the competition’s history.

Trust. The. Process. pic.twitter.com/PbETvcQNmr

— Squawka (@Squawka) September 3, 2023

95:43 – Declan Rice’s goal after 95 minutes and 43 seconds is the latest winning goal in Premier League matches between Arsenal and Manchester United. Hero. pic.twitter.com/aRFYVsQ4ke

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 3, 2023

WHAT A WIN ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ENOucv7rJC

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 3, 2023

Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus show up big time for the Gunners!

United will walk away sensing this was an opportunity lost to salvage a point away from home.

Alejandro Garnacho looked like he may have won it for the Red Devils, but in the end, Arsenal exhibited the kind of quality that almost took them to the title last season.

Arsenal’s players are vividly pleased with the events that transpired in the last 10 minutes, while the United players look forlornly on.

Full time: Arsenal 3-1 Manchester United

It is absolute bedlam at the Emirates as Gabriel Jesus goes on a break and then converts from inside the box to seal this match once and for all for the Gunners.

The break is sprung courtesy of Fabio Vieira, who spots the Brazilian to his right.

Jesus sets off and does a neat little cut to lose his marker before slotting the goal to the right of Andre Onana.

This is already Arsenal’s best match of the season, and what a statement victory this will be.

90+11 mins: Arsenal 3-1 Manchester United

Odegaard comes off for Jorginho as the home fans will be desperate for the referee to blow the whistle soon.

90+9 mins: Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United

Rice rescues Arsenal in the dying embers of the match to deflate United’s hopes!

After a Martin Odegaard attempt wins a corner on the right side, the ball finds Declan Rice at the far post.

He controls the ball before firing instinctively at goal, with Andre Onana getting a hand on it, but not enough to close down the angle as the ball just squeaks past.

The goal brings the Arsenal fans to their feet and this will surely go down as an all-time goal between these two giants of the game.

90+6 mins: Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United

Arsenal are throwing everything and the kitchen sink at United as time winds down.

They have been patient in their play as they look for the incisive pass.

90+5 mins: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United

During all that fracas, Reiss Nelson comes on in favour of Gabriel Martinelli.

90+2 mins: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United

The Gunners protest for an offside, and the VAR check is made.

Upon second viewing, it is deemed that Alejandro Garnacho was just marginally offside when he received the ball, so the goal is overturned, much to the delight of the Emirates faithful.

Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus is booked for showing dissent at the original goal decision.

We will also have eight minutes of added time to settle this absorbing encounter.

90 mins: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United

United may have just stolen this match away as Garnacho finishes superbly to make it 2-1.

Casemiro releases him just after the halfway line as he has acres of space to make a run in and then finish just to the right of a converging Ramsdale.

88 mins: Arsenal 1-2 Manchester United

A wonderful through ball from the deep finds a rampaging Holjund on the right side.

Despite the marker on him, he is able to cut into the box, but at the very last moment, he ends up going down due to the defensive pressure on him.

Ten Haag gestures from the bench for a penalty, but it didn’t look like the contact was egregious.

87 mins: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United

Alejandro Garnacho and Jonny Evans wait on the wings as Antony and Lindelof head to the dugout.

This is Evans first appearance this season for the Red Devils.

85 mins: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United

After working the ball inside the United end for the last few minutes, an opening is spotted as Saka is passed the ball inside the box.

He immediately goes for goal from point-blank range, but Onana is able to get down to block the effort with his right leg.

This was the moment Arsenal were searching for, but unfortunately for the home fans, they were unable to convert when it counted the most.

81 mins: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United

It is the end of Nketiah’s outing as he is subbed off for Gabriel Jesus.

Zinchenko heads off as well, with Takehiro Tomiyasu coming on in his stead.

Havertz is also sent to the bench, with Fabio Vieira brought on as his replacement.

77 mins: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United

The England forward is passed the ball on the left side and snakes into the box.

He aims for the near post, with the ball blocked by a converging Arsenal defender.

The resulting corner is taken, but the Gunners are able to neutralise the threat.

74 mins: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United

Arsenal win a corner on the right side.

Saka is passed the ball and then spots Martinelli outside the box.

The Brazilian decides to have a shy at goal, and finesses a shot that looks like it will cut in just enough as Onana is forced to attempt a diving stop.

However, the ball just flashes past the right upright.

Onana takes longer than the referee would like to kick off play once more, which earns him a yellow card.

70 mins: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United

Looks like Martinez injured himself during that prior challenge.

Ten Haag responds by getting Harry Maguire suited up to come on.

Meanwhile, Holjund indeed makes his United debut as Martial trudges back to the dugout.

67 mins: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United

After a rough challenge on Nketiah at the halfway line, the Argentinian goes into the referee’s naughty list.

65 mins: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United

The away fans would have had their collective hearts in their mouths when the German international went to ground, but have earned a huge let-off here.

Meanwhile, it looks like Holjund will make his debut shortly as he warms up on the touchline.

62 mins: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United

The United players have asked for a review as Havertz went down with Wan-Bissanka and Casemiro converging on him.

The referee heads to the touchline to have a closer look.

After a quick review, he has overturned the penalty decision as it looks like Havertz intentionally made contact with Wan-Bissanka when he went down.

59 mins: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United

Havertz is brought down in the box by Wan-Bissanka as the referee points to the spot.

59 mins: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United

The attempt is earned on the left flank, with Martinelli tasked to take it.

The cross is delivered but ends up being sent downfield by United.

58 mins: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United

After being released on the left side of the box, the French forward has a shy at goal at the near post.

Ramsdale is able to negotiate the threat, but not before his rebound falls in the way of Rashford, who fires a shot in but ends up wide of the post.

54 mins: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United

Arsenal have enjoyed the lion share of attack in this half so far.

However, their play in the final third has left a lot to be desired.

United have maintained their defensive shape superbly so far.

53 mins: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United

It hasn’t been quite the blazing start we had in the first half.

Both teams are patiently working the ball and looking to seize upon any opportunities to capitalise on.

49 mins: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United

The players have had a much-needed breather as we are set to reconvene battle here at the Emirates.

It will be Arsenal who will kick things off on this occasion.

46 mins: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United

After a pair of corners from Arsenal are neutralised by United, the referee blows the half to a close.

The way this match started, it was clear that a goal or two wouldn’t be too far away.

Both teams answered the call after five manic minutes of play, but the game has predictably settled down once more.

United seem set on slowing down the game, while Arsenal have been operating on a higher gear as they try to find another goal.

Will both sides continue this strategy in the second half though? We shall find out shortly.

Half-time: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United

With not too many breaks in play, there will be just the three additional minutes of stoppage time.

45+1 mins: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United

Martinelli takes it from the left side, but the ball is soon sent away from the box by United.

Antony picks up the ball just outside the box, but is fouled by Odegaard to end the threat.

43 mins: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United

After being brought down by Dalot while challenging for the ball, the England international clips Fernandes’s boot on the way down.

For the unnecessary act on his part, the referee books the forward straightaway.

40 mins: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United

With Nketiah on a break on the left side, Lindelof has no choice but to take down the winger as he was primed for a run at goal.

The Arsenal fans make their thoughts known on the egregious challenge, as the referee brandishes the Swede with a yellow.

38 mins: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United

With those back-to-back goals on either end, we are once again at a stalemate.

The result may be the same as before, but the atmosphere has kicked up a few notches in the last eight minutes after those twin individual moments of brilliance from Rashford and Odegaard.

34 mins: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United

Odegaard answers back with a wonderful effort from inside the box as the score is once again level at the Emirates!

Just minutes after Rashford’s breakthrough, Arsenal immediately set off for an equaliser down the left flank.

Martinelli passes to a wide-open Odegaard, who is stationed just right of centre inside the box.

The Norwegian fires a shot straightway, which beats Onana’s despairing dive to the right as the Emirates goes into bedlam.

28 mins: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United

From out of nowhere, Rashford bangs in a screamer to send the away fans into ecstasy!

After winning the ball in their end, the counter is sprung and the ball soon finds its way to Rashford.

The winger makes a deep run into the Arsenal end on the left side, before cutting back into the box.

He creates just enough space to fire in a testing shot towards the right upright, which beats Ramsdale all ends up.

It is truly a magnificent goal given how abjectly United were playing just minutes before.

27 mins: Arsenal 0-1 Manchester United

They have been wasteful in possession so far, and it looks like are buckling in for the long haul as Arsenal continue to search for a breakthrough.

25 mins: Arsenal 0-0 Manchester United

The physicality is starting to surface now between the teams as White and Saka are hacked down by some borderline rough challenges from the United players.

The intensity has lived up to the billing so far, and one senses a goal is not too far away if the teams maintain this level.

22 mins: Arsenal 0-0 Manchester United

Arsenal win a corner on the right side which is taken by Saka.

Saka whips in the cross and finds an available Rice inside the box.

The defensive midfielder has space around him as he rises to meet the ball, but the eventual effort ends up well over the crossbar, much to the disappointment of the home fans.

19 mins: Arsenal 0-0 Manchester United

United have not yet hit top gear here at the Emirates, and Arsenal are taking full toll as they continue to probe on the United end.

A corner was won before, but Onana was able to break through the muddle of players to punch the ball away from danger.

16 mins: Arsenal 0-0 Manchester United

Martinelli steams in on the left before delivering a cross toward Havertz inside the box.

The ball is overcooked a touch though as it hits Martial on the back before falling just in front of the German international.

Havertz instinctively shoots for goal, but scuffs the chance.

Nketiah is just behind and tries as well, but the ball is soon cleared away by the United defence.

13 mins: Arsenal 0-0 Manchester United

The Gunners have been well organized so far as we near the 10-minute mark.

United are starting to press up the field as they look to counter whenever the opportunity arises.

10 mins: Arsenal 0-0 Manchester United

After an Arsenal blitz in the opening exchanges, United have started to show more composure on the ball.

The way this match has begun, we should be in for plenty of fireworks if the tempo is maintained.

6 mins: Arsenal 0-0 Manchester United

The Gunners have started positively after winning the ball soon after kickoff.

Saka almost initiates a goal-scoring opportunity from the left flank, but the play ends up falling apart.

They do win a corner from the left side, but it is quickly neutralised by the United defence.

3 mins: Arsenal 0-0 Manchester United

After much build-up, we are just moments away as the Emirates faithful gear up for what has been an iconic fixture over the years.

Manchester United are sporting their new dark green and white stripes, while Arsenal are in their home red and white kit.

The Gunners will field a conventional 4-3-3, while United have opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation.

It will be United to kick things off, and they will be going right to left on your screens.

1 minute: Arsenal 0-0 Manchester United

The former Atalanta hitman could be poised to make his United debut after resuming training with the team recently.

The Danish forward banged in 10 goals last season for the Serie A side, and has been pegged as a potential successor to Manchester City’s Erling Haaland in terms of skillset and ability.

Erik ten Haag may consider putting him on in the second half depending on how the match plays out.

🚨🇳🇱| Erik ten Hag on Rasmus Holjund on the bench today:

“I’m sure Højlund will make an impact off the bench. He’s hungry and that’s what we like about him too.” #MUFC pic.twitter.com/55yTZKQ8X5

— UtdActive (@UtdActive) September 3, 2023

With the international break looming, the exploits of Rashford and Saka will be examined keely by English fans.

If Saka scores today, he will become the first Arsenal player to do so in four consecutive Premier League appearances against Manchester United.

Rashford has been prolific from an assists point of view, having been directly involved in four of United’s last five league goals against Arsenal last season.

Bruno Fernandes will be another pivotal player to watch as the United midfielder has netted three times in his last five matches.

Who’s better, Rashford or Saka??

Your thoughts… pic.twitter.com/Gy9eMcxvKy

— Oghenerie (@Oghenerie_jnr) September 3, 2023

The Red Devils have won six of their last seven Premier League outings.

However, their visits to the capital have been marred by inconsistency in recent times.

They have managed to win only six points in their last 10 visits to clubs within the Greater London area.

Ready for action in our new threads ⚡️#MUFC || #ARSMUN

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 3, 2023

Arsenal have lost just twice in their last 24 Premier League home games, winning on 18 occasions while drawing four.

However, their clean sheet record could use some improvement as they have only kept four in their last 26 home fixtures.

Full focus on lock 🔐 pic.twitter.com/dMOczGyDZh

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 3, 2023

Manchester United: Andre Onana (GK), Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof, Aaron Wan-Bissanka, Christian Eriksen, Casemiro, Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes (C), Antony, Anthony Martial

🚨 Your United starting XI is here 👇#MUFC || #ARSMUN

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 3, 2023

Arsenal: Aaron Ramsdale (GK), Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard (C), Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Eddie Nketiah

🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️

🧱 Gabi at the back
🍚 Rice in the middle
📞 Eddie leads the line

Let’s do this, Gunners 👊 pic.twitter.com/7rLXuHTXcj

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 3, 2023

Check out some of Al Jazeera’s recent football videos:

The rivalry between the two clubs has lost some of its ferocity from the days of Arsene Wenger and Alex Ferguson, when brawls between the two teams were fairly commonplace. But it can still be pretty spicy.

Both managers commented on the rivalry ahead of Sunday’s match.

“We know the history between the two clubs and the games that we had in the past,” Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta said. “They were a really good example, so it’s going to be a really competitive match and a big battle on Sunday. Obviously, we want to come away from that with three points.”

Man United’s Erik ten Hag said it remains one of the biggest games in the Premier League.

“We are really looking forward to the fight,” he said. “They are always interesting games, intense games between two teams who play really offensive football with the right intentions. The audience is always the big winner of the game, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Manchester United and Arsenal have played each other 238 times: The Red Devils have won 101 times, the Gunners have 87 wins, and 50 games were draws.

Arsenal are seeking a third-straight home league win against Man United for the first time since 1991.

And if recent meetings are anything to go by, Sunday’s game promises goals. The last four encounters between the two sides have been won by the home team while scoring three goals.

Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta may be forced into changing the Thomas Partey experiment after the Ghana international reportedly picked up an injury in training, so Gabriel Magalhaes could be handed his first start of the season.

Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu is available for selection again after suspension. Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko could feature after coming on as substitutes last weekend as they return from injury.

Manchester United will be without Raphael Varane for a few weeks after he picked up an injury.

United have new signings Sergio Reguilon and Altay Bayındır at their disposal while forward Rasmus Hojlund could also make his debut after recovering from a back injury.

Arteta has come under fire for using Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey as a right-back with licence to roam forward in Arsenal’s first three Premier League games – unconvincing wins over Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace, followed by a draw against 10-man Fulham.

Asked if he felt like reverting to last season’s approach for Sunday’s clash with Manchester United, Arteta likened the dilemma to the challenges he faces commuting from his home to Arsenal’s London Colney training base.

“Every morning, I come from my house to Colney. Sometimes I leave at six and I need to go to the windscreen because it’s icy. At six o’clock normally, I go Finchley Road and then the A21 because it’s faster,” Arteta told bewildered reporters on Friday.

“Now Finchley Road is 20 miles per hour, so sometimes I take a back door. But then I go on the M25. But depending on if it’s a school ride, I take one exit. If it’s after seven o’clock, I take a different exit and then I go.”

While the notoriously traffic-packed M25 – a motorway that circles the outskirts of London – has driven many a driver to distraction, Arteta was attempting to use his bizarre answer to illustrate the different tactical choices he faces against varying opponents.

“One day I have a flat tyre, what do I do? Maybe I have to replace it because there’s a garage there. So every game is a different story guys. A different story,” the Spaniard said. “If we have another injury, we’re going to have to do something else. If Bukayo [Saka] is not there, we’re going to have something else. So the M25 won’t be good enough. Maybe we’ll take another one.”

Manchester United have looked vulnerable at times so far this season, suffering a defeat at Tottenham Hotspur two weeks ago and having to overcome an early two-goal hole in last weekend’s 3-2 home win over Nottingham Forest.

But the Red Devils deserve credit for enduring some key absences early on, and the picture appears to be clearing heading into the weekend.

Summer signing Rasmus Hojlund is set to make his club debut and could even start after a back issue kept the striker out in August.

And the club has added Sergio Reguilon on loan from Spurs to fill an urgent need at left back after a pair of injuries.

“He is a very experienced player, a player for big clubs, a player that’s played already a lot of games in La Liga, in the Premier League,” manager Erik ten Hag said of Reguilon.

“While we had a problem with Luke Shaw injured, Ty Malacia injured, they are for long term out, so I think we responded very well in that emergency situation.”

The stage is set for Rasmus Hojlund in #ARSMUN 🔜

Will our Danish striker make the starting XI? Get your matchday guesses in 💭👇#MUFC || #PL

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 3, 2023

After a surprising second-place finish last season, Arsenal have done their part so far to prove they’re not going anywhere. Even their lone blemish on the season, a 2-2 home draw against Fulham, included an encouraging fightback from a goal down to briefly take a 2-1 lead.

They’ve also weathered a short-term injury absence of attacker Gabriel Jesus with Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah each scoring twice over Arsenal’s first three matches.

With Jesus available on Sunday – having made a very brief cameo in the Fulham draw – manager Mikel Arteta admits a win would be a momentum builder, even if he thinks it’s a bit too early to declare anyone a true challenger to Manchester City, the three-time defending champs.

“We all want to win games. We all want to play the best possible way,” Arteta said.

“That’s not going to dictate, but it gives you momentum and belief. Before the international break, it’s very important to finish well and win your game and go into September with another block of games on a high.”

Thierry turns it around 🤩

Six classic victories on home soil against Manchester United 👇

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 3, 2023

Hello and welcome to our coverage of the Premier League clash between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates.

The Gunners have won four and drawn one of their last five home league games against the Red Devils.

Both sides will be keen to go into the international break on a high, and neither can afford to drop many points if they are to challenge three-time defending champions Manchester City, who have won all their games so far this season.

Kick-off is at 4:30pm (15:30 GMT). Follow us for all the updates in the build-up and during the match.

Rivalries don't get much bigger than this. pic.twitter.com/X6LtykEL4s

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 3, 2023