Arsenal 3-2 Man Utd player ratings: Sensational Saka, sloppy Eriksen and Nketiah the match-winner

Arsenal 3-2 Man Utd (Nketiah 24′, Saka 53′, Nketiah 90’| Rashford 17′, Martinez 59‘)

Eddie Nketiah was the man of the moment as his two goals edged Arsenal to a vital win at The Emirates over Manchester United, sending the Gunners five points clear at the top of the table.

Marcus Rashford opened the scoring with a sublime goal from outside the box, before Nketiah equalised seven minutes later. Nketiah’s recent performances will not only please Mikel Arteta, but will no doubt give him a headache as Gabriel Jesus faces competition to earn his starting place upon his return.

Bukayo Saka scored a stunner of his own to match Rashford’s, but it was quickly countered out as Lisandro Martinez opportunistically scored with a scooping header that looped over Aaron Ramsdale.

But as Arsenal dominated possession and United in the final quarter of the game, Nketiah appeared once again in space and with the skill to finish, grabbing the winner late on to further his side’s title credentials.

Rashford, Saka, and Nketiah delighted not only their respective fans with their incredible goals, but will have pleased England manager Gareth Southgate who sat in the stands today.

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Arsenal

• Aaron Ramsdale – Made some excellent saves as he usually does, but failed to fully clear United’s corner from which Martinez equalised. 8/10
• Ben White – His yellow card meant he was subbed at half-time. Also comically got in the way of one of Saka’s runs into the box. 6/10
• William Saliba – Steady and solid at the back once again. It helps that the Frenchman has a midfield that can control the game expertly too. 8/10
• Gabriel – The partnership between him and Saliba keeps growing, and he was dependable at the back once again. 8/10
• Oleksandr Zinchenko – Gave such a feeling of composure and assuredness when on the ball. Contained Antony superbly. 8/10
• Martin Odegaard – Was his usual creative presence and drove his side forward, but contributed excellently in defence at times when United piled forward. 7/10
• Thomas Partey – Kept control of the midfield once again in contract to his United counterpart McTominay. 8/10
• Granit Xhaka – Could have scored Arsenal’s third when he found himself in so much space in the United box. His presence, movement, and recycling off the ball helped Arsenal keep pressure on. 8/10
• Bukayo Saka – Threatened down the flank all day as United kept giving him space and eventually punished them with a sensational goal from range. 9/10
• Eddie Nketiah – The man of the moment. Finished off an impressive Arsenal move with a powerful header to equalise, and grabbed the late winner with a sumptuous flick. Giving Gabriel Jesus a tougher job to get back into the side with every passing game. 9/10

NKETIAH IS THE MAN OF THE MOMENT!

Arsenal make it 3-2! pic.twitter.com/jn0cvKvWdY

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 22, 2023

• Gabriel Martinelli – Consistently got into good positions and threatened the United defence. Even if he is lacking the end product right now, he was a constant thorn in United’s side. 7/10

Substitutes:

Takehiro Tomiyasu – On after halftime and served as a strong supporting option for Saka. 7/10

Leandro Trossard – N/A

Manchester United

• David De Gea – His flaws in possession were exposed as United attempted to play out from the back, made some important saves, in particular saving Nketiah’s shot late in the game. 7/10
• Aaron Wan-Bissaka – Poor in possession which contributed to Nketiah’s equaliser. Like Martinez and De Gea, didn’t look entirely comfortable trying to play out from the back. Have to admire his ability to make challenges that fully deserve a card without getting booked though. 6/10
• Raphael Varane – Has a bit of a Thiago Silva aura for United. Is dependable and the partnership with Martinez is growing. 7/10
• Lisandro Martinez – Scored United’s second goal from an opportunistic scooping header to equalise. 7/10
• Luke Shaw – Allowed Saka to run at him and pin him back, and answered by fouling the winger as much as possible. 5/10
• Scott McTominay – Challenged Ramsdale with a shot outside the box, but unfortunately for him, he’s a poor replacement for Casemiro. 5/10
• Christian Eriksen – Some really poor moments in possession and defence which directly gave Arsenal some chances. Gave Saka the space to score his goal. 4/10
• Antony – Looked dangerous with a lot of touches but ultimately produced little. His poor crossing is a waste of Weghorst’s aerial threat. 5/10
• Bruno Fernandes – Really lacked the incision to open the game and failed to help out Rashford. 6/10
• Marcus Rashford – He was all United had in attack for much of the game. Opened the scoring with an incredible goal from outside the box and ran from minute one to minute 90. 8/10

MARCUS RASHFORD! What a goal this is! pic.twitter.com/5NqKfKZrxF

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 22, 2023

• Wout Weghorst – Acted as a good pivot for United’s attacking players to move around and his movement helped create Rashford’s goal, but offered little of his own threat. 6/10

Substitutes:

• Fred – N/A

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