Arsenal took back the top spot in the Premier League as Leandro Trossard’s strike gave Manchester United further grief.
With their victory against Fulham on Saturday lunchtime, Manchester City briefly overtook the Gunners, and Mikel Arteta’s team could ill afford any form of slip-up at Old Trafford.
In their penultimate encounter of the season, United made Arsenal sweat more than most anticipated on Sunday, winning 1-0 thanks to Trossard’s tap-in following Casemiro’s most recent defensive blunder.
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If City wins their match against Tottenham on Tuesday, they will take the lead once again, but this outcome guarantees that the Premier League title fight will continue to the very end.
At Old Trafford, Arsenal was far from their best as Trossard’s first-half goal was caused by temporary centre-back Casemiro’s tardiness in pushing out and then reacting after playing Kai Havertz onside.
Arsenal was unable to score any more as Andre Onana stopped them as United, beset by absenteeism, sought an equaliser that would have put Erik ten Hag’s team under pressure.
With two games remaining before the FA Cup final against Manchester City on May 25, it was their ninth home loss in all competitions and their 14th loss in the disastrous Premier League campaign.
This result put further strain on their hopes of qualifying for Europe. Wembley hosted the women’s tournament on Sunday, but Sir Jim Ratcliffe chose to watch Arsenal play while fellow co-owner Avram Glazer watched Marc Skinner’s team defeat Spurs 4-0.
Arsenal, who have started without a change for the fourth straight game, had an early chance via Bukayo Saka, but United’s motley crew threatened to cause an upset.
After Thomas Partey was taken off, Alejandro Garnacho scored after fast feet from Amad Diallo, who was making his first Premier League start since May 2021. Afterward, Rasmus Hojlund stumbled and blasted over.
Early on, Arsenal’s David Raya made a few shaky saves, and when Trossard tried to clear a Diogo Dalot ball, the ball flew just wide of his own goal. Arsenal was facing more challenges from United than most anticipated.
That was up to minute twenty. William Saliba nodded wide on Onana’s long ball forward to Ben White, who then sent a clipped ball down the right wing to Havertz.
