Arsenal player ratings: Leno saves, determined Xhaka and ‘nerves of steel’ Aubameyang keep Man Utd at bay
The North Londoners go into the top four after inflicting upon Ole Gunnar Solskjaer his first Premier League defeat
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ARSENAL returned to the Champions League places after ending Manchester United's unbeaten Premier League record under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a 2-0 win at The Emirates.
The Gunners leapfrogged United in the table thanks to Granit Xhaka's long-range strike which deceived David de Gea, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's second half penalty.
Jon Moss pointed to the spot after Fred had felled Alexandre Lacazette, giving the Gabon international the chance to make amends for his miss against Tottenham last week.
Here is how Unai Emery's side performed on what could be a hugely significant day in the race for the top four.
BERND LENO
Fortunate to escape with his goal intact when United hit the woodwork twice in the first 20 minutes but there was nothing lucky about his 36th minute save from Lukaku and another just after the break.
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SOKRATIS
Loves a tackle but doesn’t look quite so comfortable when he has a man running at him. After his midweek red card he was walking a disciplinary tightrope again after a first-half booking for a foul on Pogba.
LAURENT KOSCIELNY
Making his 250th Premier League appearance, he reads the game better than any other Arsenal defender and was fully alert to throw himself in the way of Fred’s goalbound effort.
NACHO MONREAL
Better centrally than at full-back these days but still struggled to cope with Lukaku’s physical threat. Steady without being spectacular.
AINSLEY MAITLAND-NILES
Emery is still unconvinced by his defensive qualities and you can see why. Offers plenty of width but seems unsure of his positioning and was too easily bypassed at times.
AARON RAMSEY
Puts in so much hard work for the cause but probably would have liked to have had a bigger impact on the attacking aspect of Arsenal’s game. Would have loved to be signing off against United with the win.
GRANIT XHAKA
As surprised as anyone when his speculative shot from distance skipped past De Gea and an heroic block to deny Marcus Rashford combined to make him Arsenal’s stand-out star.
SEAD KOLASINAC
Offers so much attacking threat down the left flank but occasionally guilty of switching off at the back and failing to track his runner.
MESUT OZIL
Given the chance to seize centre stage by Emery but was little more than a passenger for much of the game. So half-hearted in the tackle and didn’t get on the ball anywhere near as much as he should have.
ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE
Never gave United’s defenders a moment’s peace but he needs to gamble more in the box because too many crosses were allowed to flash across the face of goal without him applying a touch.
PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG
Arsenal’s record signing has really been struggling for form in recent weeks but he showed nerves of steel to convert the second-half penalty after his costly miss from the spot against Spurs last week.