LONDON: Manchester United inflicted Arsenal’s first home defeat of the season in a 3-2 thriller at the Emirates to blow the Premier League title race open on Sunday.
A week on from dominating Manchester City in the Manchester derby, Michael Carrick’s dream start as United boss continued thanks to Matheus Cunha’s stunning later winner that pulled City and Aston Villa back into the title race.
City and Villa, who beat Wolverhampton Wanderers and Newcastle United 2-0 respectively this weekend, are now just four points behind the Gunners.
United’s first Premier League win at Arsenal since 2017 also lifted them into the top four at Liverpool’s expense after the defending champions’ long unbeaten run came undone at Bournemouth.
Arsenal, who are now three league games without a win, have 50 points from 23 games with City and Villa on 46 while a rejuvenated United are fourth with 38.
Carrick looked to have been handed a baptism of fire with City and Arsenal dished up in the first two games of his reign when the former Red Devils midfielder returned to Old Trafford to take over a side that had won just once in seven matches.
But Carrick has delivered two memorable victories that will already spark speculation over whether the 44-year-old deserves to remain in the role beyond the end of the season.
United were lured into that trap once before when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s brilliant start to his interim role as manager in 2019 earned him a three-year deal.
Carrick still has plenty to prove but could not have made a better start to his quest to deliver Champions League football back to Old Trafford for the first time in three seasons.
“To come here and score three goals in the manner we did, going one down, coming back, then the setback, and still keeping going,” said Carrick. “It was a huge moment for us.
“I’m enjoying it. It’s a fantastic position to be in. We won’t get carried away with two massive results — it’s always about what’s next, keeping our feet on the ground and doing the right things this week.”
Arsenal are chasing a first title since 2004 and could well have built a commanding lead with City and Villa stumbling of late. But Sunday’s loss, following consecutive 0-0 draws, has raised the anxiety levels.
“A really painful one,” said Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta. “But now it is time to be very close to those players that have given us so much joy and support them because we all want to win.
“You have to give credit to Manchester United. We gave them a goal which is unusual and painful, then two brilliant moments with incredible goals. We were not at our best and paid the price.”
Arsenal looked in control when Lisandro Martinez’s own goal put them ahead after 29 minutes but the Red Devils quickly levelled when Bryan Mbeumo pounced on a terrible error by Martin Zubimendi in the 37th.
Patrick Dorgu then rifled in a volley in the 50th minute and United’s confidence was soaring.
Not for the first time this season, despite their lofty league position, Arsenal were blunt as an attacking force from open play. But they could rely on their prowess from set-pieces to equalise when Mikel Merino forced in a corner on 84 minutes.
United were not finished though and substitute Cunha advanced before curling a right-foot shot past David Raya from 25 metres to spark wild celebrations in the visiting fans and deliver a telling blow to the Gunners’ hopes of a first league title in 22 years.
Published in Dawn, January 27th, 2026