Eddie Nketiah’s header in north London derby boosted Arsenal’s position in the English Premiership League table title chase as the Gunners downed Manchester United 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium.
United got an early first-half lead, thanks to a Marcus Rashford screamer, before the Red Devils hit the Gunners again to bring the explosive encounter to a 2-0 win during the half time.
Almost a mirror to the first, Bukayo Saka scored a long-range belter before it getting cancelled out by a clever Lisandro Martinez header within minutes.
Also read: Arsenal sink Chelsea, reclaim EPL top spot
Arsenal now have 50 points midway through the season, and a five-point lead over defending champions Manchester City, with a game in hand.
They still need to play two against Pep Guardiola’s side, but have given themselves a big cushion at the top.
The league leaders have been almost perfect since the season resumed after the World Cup break and know the best-case scenario if they record a victory this afternoon and Manchester City are beaten at home by Wolves is an eight-point lead at the top of the table.
But they can’t take Man United lightly as the visitors go into the game having recorded nine wins in their last 10 across all competitions and can provide a fresh twist to the title race by claiming all three points.
Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta has a near full-strength squad to choose from. The confirmed absentees are Gabriel Jesus and Reiss Nelson, whilst Mohamed Elneny and Cedric Soares could also miss out having not been spotted in yesterday’s training session at London Colney.
Manchester City beat Wolves
Manchester City followed up their comeback victory over Tottenham Hotspur with a routine demolition of Wolverhampton Wanderers.
At times, City laboured in the first half as they attempted to break down a resolute Wolves defence. However, they found the breakthrough at the best possible moment.
A Kevin De Bruyne cross was met by the head of Erling Haaland five minutes before the break to reignite the home faithful. City ended the game as a contest ten minutes after the interval.
Ilkay Gundogan was tripped by Ruben Neves moments after the break as Wolves started the second 45 asleep. Haaland comfortably converted the spot kick to make it two.
His hat-trick was completed moments later when a high press saw Jose Sa give the ball to Riyad Mahrez, who squared it for Haaland to score his third. City now sit just two points behind Arsenal ahead of their game with Manchester United at 4:30pm.
Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, praised his side’s response thus ”Yeah, it is getting better but just one day, I have to wait. The way we play was quite similar to the first half where we were losing 2-0 to Spurs, our football was really, really good but it was 2-0, today we improved but it was just today.
”We will see what happens in the next games. It was recovery day after, the guys who didn’t play, they train really well. We talk a little bit to see what we have to do with the ball, without the ball we don’t train anything. I didn’t want to waste energy in the training session. We talk a little bit these what I think we missed. Now the message is clear: just one game. We have to see in the future.”’
