Arsenal 3-2 Manchester United: Late Eddie Nketiah strike reopens five-point lead at Premier League summit

Eddie Nketiah’s last-minute winner earned Arsenal a crucial 3-2 win over Manchester United in a high-tempo, high-octane, high-quality encounter at the Emirates.

Marcus Rashford put United in front before Eddie Nketiah equalised, then Lisandro Martinez responded when Bukayo Saka’s fine goal gave Arsenal the lead. But Nketiah struck to send Arsenal five points clear of Manchester City with a game in hand. United sit third, a further six points behind.

Arsenal started as quickly as ever, but United hung in there well before gradually forcing their way into the game. And, on 17 minutes, they took the lead with a sensational finish from Rashford who robbed Thomas Partey, exchanged passes with Bruno Fernandes, then tricked Partey and rinsed a fine, low finish into the corner from 20 yards.

Arsenal, though, continued pressing United high up the pitch and, when David De Gea went short to Aaron Wan-Bissaka, won a corner that led, eventually, to Granit Xhaka coaxing a lush cross onto Nketiah’s forehead while Wan-Bissaka pondered the ultimate futility of existence. 1-1.

After the break, Arsenal again began quickly, and on 53 minutes, Saka curled home a delicious low finish from 20 yards. But United immediately stepped it up, Martinez heading home his first goal for the club shortly afterwards.

The home side threw everything at their opponents in search of a winner, and Nketiah struck late to earn his side a win in arguably the best game of the season so far. It will not be the last classic match between these two young, improving sides, but at the moment it is Arsenal who are title contenders while United still have work to do.

For the second time in a week, Manchester United conceded a late goal that cost them dearly. Against Palace, they were victims of their own circumspection, opting to sit on a one-goal lead and getting caught with a worldie, but against Arsenal and in the absence of Casemiro, they were ultimately overrun in midfield and the pressure exerted on their defence told.

Which is to say that, for the first time in a generation, there is a belief about Arsenal, who did not panic after going behind nor when conceding an equaliser just minutes after taking the lead. Rather, they pinned United back inside their own box, forcing their line deeper and deeper while continuing to play their football rather than toss aimless balls into the middle.

Then, when the opportunity presented itself, Oleksandr Zinchenko stayed calm to pick out Eddie Nketiah, who once again showed the chops of a natural-born goalscorer, doing what it took to unite ball with net. There's a long way to go, but Arsenal have the look of potential champions.

Scored once, also hit the post, and was generally the best player on the pitch.

Arsenal: Ramsdale 6, White 5, Gabriel 6, Saliba 6, Zinchenko 8, Partey 7, Xhaka 6, Odegaard 7, Saka 8, Nketiah 8, Martinelli 6. Subs: Tomiyasu 6, Trossard 6, Holding 6.

Man United: De Gea 6, Wan-Bissaka 5, Varane 6, Martinez 6, Shaw 5, McTominay 5, Eriksen 5, Bruno 6, Antony 6, Weghorst 6, Rashford 6. Subs: Fred 6, Garnacho 6.

17’ - GOAL! Arsenal 0-1 Man United (Rashford): This is a glorious hit, it really is! Shaw catches Partey in possession, finding Bruno who feeds him back in. He advances a few yards and inside a little, has a look, diddles Partey with a gorgeous feint, then clobbers a low, scooshing effort that zips into the bottom corner at the near post, almost free-kick style! What a run this man is on!

24’ - GOAL! Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United (Nketiah): Odegaard and Zinchenko combine to release Xhaka down the left, he caresses a gloooorious cross to the back post and Wan-Bissaka, on the wrong side, is caught under the ball, so Nketiah leaps to punish home the equaliser!

53’ - WHAT A GOAL! Arsenal 2-1 Man United (Saka): Saka takes possession just outside the corner of the box, nips inside with Eriksen too slow to block off the shooting angle, and absolutely leathers a low, curling finish into the far corner. What a player!

59’ - GOAL! Arsenal 2-2 Man United (Martinez): Lisandro Martinez scores his first United goal! Ramsdale comes to punch Shaw's inswinger, Tomiyasu gets in his road, he flaps, and Martinez, with his bandaged heed, does really well to flip up a header that Gabriel can't clear off the line! He races to away fans and what a match this is - the best I've seen this season and the good news? We've half an hour plus change more!

85’ - GREAT SAVE! The ball bobbles out, McTominay's clearance hitting Gabriel and playing in Nketiah! This must be! But when he turns and laces low, De Gea vaults low to tip away! That is a brilliant save!

90’ - GOAL! Arsenal 3-2 Man United (Nketiah): They've kept banging at the door and has Eddie Nketiah blown it down?! They've a spare man as the ball goes wide to Zinchenko, I think he's onside, he crosses low, and when Odegaard forces it into the six-yard box, Nketiah raises a leg high to direct a fine flick past De Gea which sends the home fans into raptures! That is a striker's instinct! Arsenal are going five clear; United have conceded late doors for the second time in a week!