Arsenal 2 Man Utd 0 LIVE RESULT: Timber & Saliba BOTH score from corners as Gunners close gap at the top – updates
ARSENAL handed new Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim his first defeat as they beat the Red Devils 2-0.
Jurrien Timber and William Saliba both scored from second-half corners as the Gunners closed the gap on Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.
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Ruben needing change at Old Trafford
You cannot purely blame a manager for poor performances.
The reality of the situation Ruben Amorim finds himself in is that he blessed with a squad who are just not up to the task.
It is quite cliche but the league table does not lie.
For the manager to put his stamp on this team, he needs to bring in players who can deliver his tactics.
Questions will still be asked
While it was mission accomplished for The Gunners this evening, there is still a long road ahead in this campaign.
They need to work a way to create more chances against the bigger teams as they need to assert themselves.
Whether the Spaniard plans on bringing a striker into the club in January, only time will tell.
They need one if they plan on winning trophies.
Ruben looking for winning formula
The Portuguese manager will experience his first 'festive period' of fixtures in the Premier League.
With many games to be played, there will be quick turnarounds between matches.
Some tricky fixtures coming up, it will be a real baptism of fire for Ruben Amorim.
Gunners needing to put run together
Mikel Arteta needs his side to continue their good form of late.
Even without the influential Gabriel, they kept a clean sheet this evening against a lacklustre opponent.
You can only beat who is put in front of you, Arsenal now move on to focussing on the challenge ahead.
Dec's crucial to Christmas spirits in North London
Declan Rice was awarded the man of the match award against Man Utd this evening in the 500th game at The Emirates.
They forked out to bring Rice from West Ham and he wants to try and win some silverware here.
To stand a chance of challenging for the title, they cannot afford to take their foot off the gas at all.
Credit: Getty Norwegian crucial to title challenge
If Arsenal are to keep pace with Liverpool and challenge for the Premier League title, Martin Odegaard is vital.
He makes such a different to this side, pulling the strings and creating the chances for them to put sides away.
Arteta will need to ensure that he stays injury-free for the remainder of the season.
FT: Arsenal 2-0 Man Utd
The stats show that Arsenal were the more dominant side here tonight.
Set pieces came to their aid once again.
More importantly, they reduced the gap between them and Liverpool to 7 points after this win.
FT: Arsenal 2-0 Man Utd
The referee brings the match to a close.
Arsenal are the victors in North London.
Plenty of work to do for Ruben Amorim.
Arsenal 2-0 Man Utd
90+3. The win is all that mattered for Mikel Arteta and that is exactly what they have got.
They deserved the victory, of the two teams, they were the only ones creating chances.
It was not a great watch, the biggest cheer will be the final whistle for those who stayed.
Arsenal 2-0 Man Utd
90+1. Almost another goal for Mikel Arteta's side.
Rice swings in the corner and it is scrambled off the line as Onana misses his punch.
We are going to have four additional minutes.
Arsenal 2-0 Man Utd
89. Declan Rice has been awarded the man of the match award.
He has had two assists so far this evening from his corners.
It seems more important that The Gunners secure all three points first.
Arsenal 2-0 Man Utd
87. Man Utd opt to try a training ground move.
Fernandes slides it into the path Antony in the box.
His shot is straight at Raya but other than that, the move worked.
Credit: AFP Arsenal 2-0 Man Utd
85. Antony is fouled by Merino on the edge of the box.
Chance for Fernandes to get a consolation goal for the visitors.
That said, if they score now, we might have a game on our hands.
Arsenal 2-0 Man Utd
83. Another big chance for The Gunners.
Trossard tries to walk it into the net and the resulting tackle sees the ball break to Odegaard in the middle of the box.
His shot is blocked and Havertz is penalised for a foul.
Arsenal 2-0 Man Utd
81. Antony has come on for Hojlund now.
The pair look like they do not have a goal between them in their locker.
Some of great signings of the ten Hag era right there.
Man Utd 2-0 Man Utd
79. Ugarte is penalised for a foul on Saka out wide.
Chance for Arsenal to put another dangerous cross into the box.
De Ligt heads clear but The Gunners recycle it well.
The move breaks down when Merino is caught offside,
Arsenal 2-0 Man Utd
77. Rice puts an inswinging corner in right under the crossbar.
Onana punches it over for another one.
As the cross comes in, Merino has a completely free-header but sends it wide of the target.
Credit: Getty Arsenal 2-0 Man Utd
75. Not the best goal you will ever see but that really does not matter right now for Mikel Arteta's side.
We have some wait at the moment as VAR checks the goal for offside.
Check complete, the goal stands.
Partey headed back across goal, it hit Saliba's hip and ends in the back of the net.
Goal - William Saliba (Arsenal)
Arsenal 1-0 Man Utd
73. Rice looks to shoot from some distance.
When he does this you can see it coming a mile off and usually a defender will slide in to block.
Exactly what happened on this occasion.
Arsenal 1-0 Man Utd
71. Merino and Trossard come on for the hosts.
Martinelli and Zinchenko make way for the changes.
This game is still finely poised in North London.
Arsenal 1-0 Man Utd
69. Man Utd are seeing more of the ball now.
They are trying to be direct with passes forward but it is too easy for Arsenal to head clear.
The Gunners are camped out in their own half.
Arsenal 1-0 Man Utd
67. As the ball is clipped in, de Ligt heads it solidy towards goal.
Raya watches it all of the way as he claws it out of the goal.
It was a great save by the Spaniard.
Credit: Getty Arsenal 1-0 Man Utd
65. Although Arteta would take this result right now, this really has been a drab affair between the pair.
Hopefully we are building to mammouth finish to this game.
A second goal for The Gunners would surely put this game to bed.
Amad is fouled making a beeline for the box and wins his side a free kick.
Arsenal 1-0 Man Utd
63. Still plenty of this game left.
If they have any will to win this game, they need to throw more players forward than they are now.
It is all looking too easy for Arsenal out of possession.
