By Elias Nnamdi
Arsenal showcased their set-piece prowess in a commanding 2-0 victory over Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium, reducing the gap to league leaders Liverpool to seven points. Goals from Jurrien Timber and William Saliba, both from corner routines, sealed the win for the Gunners, marking Ruben Amorim’s first Premier League loss as United’s manager.
Despite a quiet first half where Arsenal struggled to break through United’s compact defense, their post-interval adjustments paid dividends. Jurrien Timber broke the deadlock in the 54th minute, glancing Declan Rice’s corner past Andre Onana. Arsenal doubled their lead in the 73rd minute through another set piece, with Bukayo Saka delivering to Thomas Partey, who assisted Saliba’s decisive finish.
Manager Mikel Arteta praised the team’s resilience and tactical adjustments: “We changed the team due to a few injuries, but what an energy in the stadium. The team needs every possible result to win the game let’s continue that.”
Dominance in Dead-Ball Situations
Arsenal’s ability to capitalize on set pieces proved decisive. The Gunners, leading the league in goals from corners since last season with 22 strikes, once again demonstrated their efficiency in this area. Declan Rice, central to Arsenal’s success, showcased his precision in corner deliveries, aiding both goals.
Their dominance extended beyond scoring opportunities, as Arsenal nearly added a third when Kai Havertz’s effort was blocked by Onana, and substitute Mikel Merino narrowly missed a header from yet another corner. Arteta’s tactical tweaks after a frustrating first half turned the tide decisively in Arsenal’s favor.
For Manchester United, defensive lapses at set pieces were costly. Manager Ruben Amorim, whose impressive 34-match unbeaten league streak ended, admitted: “We knew they were strong in set-pieces but couldn’t handle their execution.”
Key Stats:
- Arsenal has now scored the most goals from corners in the Premier League since the start of last season (22).
- The Gunners have won four consecutive league matches against Manchester United for the first time in their history.
- Ruben Amorim experienced his first domestic league defeat since December 2023.
