Manchester United 0-1 Arsenal (Trossard 20’)
Arsenal ensured the Premier League title race will go to the final day with victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The Gunners are top of the table for now, but the permutations of the final day next Sunday will depend on Manchester City’s result at Tottenham on Tuesday.
Win at Spurs and it is in City’s hands, while a draw could yet throw up a fascinating climax where goal difference comes into play.
Arsenal host Everton next weekend, and are currently just three goals better off than City, who welcome West Ham to the Etihad.
A 1-0 win at Old Trafford helped Arsenal win the title in both 1998 and 2002, time will tell if this result does likewise.
United started brightly but Arsenal were then clinical, capitalising on Casemiro’s slack positioning as Kai Havertz fed Leandro Trossard for the opener in the 20th minute.
But rather than put United to the sword, Arsenal took their foot off the gas, allowing the hosts to control the ball.
United had more possession but few chances to show for it, with Arsenal’s defence once more standing firm – recording an 18th Premier League clean sheet of the season.
Here’s how both teams performed with player ratings out of 10:
Man Utd player ratings
Andre Onana: Little to do in the first half beyond saving from Bukayo Saka and picking the ball out of the net following Trossard’s goal. Then made a brilliant save to deny Martinelli and keep United in the match going into the final 15 minutes, before keeping out an effort from Rice. 7
Diogo Dalot: Was a nuisance early on when coming in off the wing, but defensively Arsenal targeted his side frequently. On balance, though, it was a decent performance given Arsenal rarely pressed for a second. 7
Casemiro: The Brazilian did himself no favours amid recent criticism as a slow jog back up the pitch played Kai Havertz onside for Arsenal’s goal. “That is a basic error, he just ambles out and there’s no excuse for that,” said Gary Neville on Sky Sports. 5
"Well I don't know what he was doing there?!"
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 12, 2024
Roy Keane is not happy with Casemiro for not sprinting out before the goalpic.twitter.com/QPxPRJGnw1
Jonny Evans: Looked fairly solid at the back but couldn’t complete the 90. 6
Aaron Wan-Bissaka: Was second in the race behind Trossard for Arsenal’s first goal, and was sat down by the Belgian in the second half. Then almost scored an own goal. Not his finest afternoon. 5
Kobbie Mainoo: Looked more comfortable with Amrabat for company as opposed to Casemiro or Christian Eriksen. A case of too little, too late for Erik ten Hag to find this out? 6
Sofyan Amrabat: A reshuffle with Bruno Fernandes absent saw Amrabat handed a rare start – his first in the league since December – and despite trailing at half-time, United had a better shape with the midfielder next to Mainoo. Nothing to shout home about, really, but given this starting XI compared to Arsenal’s, a 1-0 scoreline is not the worst for United – and they remained in the match thanks to Ten Hag getting this decision right. Credit where credit is due, but it’s probably too late for the manager to have realsied this. 6
Amad Diallo: A first Premier League start of the season with Marcus Rashford out, Diallo looked sharp throughout and eager to impress, showing neat footwork in particular. Hobbled off midway through the second half. 7
Scott McTominay: Returning from injury, McTominay was slow out the blocks with some poor touches and passing. Looked short of fitness in a game that needed Fernandes’ creativity. 5
Alejandro Garnacho: A bright display from one of United’s bright sparks this season, although he will be disappointed with his final ball. 6
Rasmus Hojlund: Slipped at a crucial moment early on and struggled to get the better of Gabriel and Saliba thereafter, unsurprisingly. 6
Subs:
Antony: 6
Willy Kambwala, Christian Eriksem, Omari Forson, Ethan Wheatley: n/a
Arsenal player ratings
David Raya: Not a single save to make in the first half although he did well to clear a couple of crosses. Another clean sheet for the man with the Golden Glove. 6
Ben White: Needed a little more help from Saka to deal with Garnacho, but a solid display from his centre-backs prevented this from being a costly issue. 6
William Saliba: Enjoyed the battle with Hojlund alongside Gabriel, and an absolute brick wall in the second half when Garnacho came charging at him. The man of the match. 8
Gabriel: Important block to deflect Hojlund’s shot early on, and thereafter this solid partnership with Saliba continued to frustrate United. 7
Takehiro Tomiyasu: A busy afternoon with Amad a constant threat for United. Few chances to attack with Arsenal enjoying less possession than their hosts. 6
Thomas Partey: A couple of nervy moments either side of half-time, but neither went punished. 5
Declan Rice: A relatively quiet match by Rice’s standards, he struggled to make an imprint on the game. 6
Martin Odegaard: Struggled to find pockets of space with Mainoo and Amrabat so close, making for an odd game for Arsenal’s midfield trio. Not great, not awful, with United arguably lacking that clinical edge to truly test the visitors. 5
Bukayo Saka: A quiet first half up against Dalot, Saka looked off the boil and eventually hobbled off with 10 minutes to go. 6
Kai Havertz: Smartly capitalised on Casemiro’s sluggishness to send in a perfect pass for the opening goal that proved to be the winner. Already a 2024 to remember for the German, now onto eight goals and six assists this year – already his best return in a single calendar year. 7
Leandro Trossard: Showed great instinct to meet Havertz’s cross and was perhaps Arsena’s brightest player in altogether strange game. 7
Subs:
Gabriel Martinelli: 6
Gabriel Jesus, Jakub Kiwior, Jorginho: n/a
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