Arsenal made a big statement about their Premier League goals on Sunday, coming from behind to beat Manchester United in form 3-2 in front of a packed Emirates crowd.
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United striker Marcus Rashford silenced the home fans with the opening goal, but an equalizer from Eddie Nketiah and a superb second-half strike from Bukayo Saka sealed the match.
But the visitors, dangerous on the break throughout the match, wrapped up a thrilling encounter when Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez headed in after Arsenal failed to clear a corner.
The Gunners kept going in search of a winner and finally got the goal they deserved when Nketiah headed the ball home in the 90th minute.
Earlier, defending champions Manchester City closed the gap to just two points with a 3-0 win over Wolves, thanks to Erling Haaland’s fourth hat-trick of the season.
Scott McTominay replaced Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, who was ineligible after picking up his fifth booking of the season in United’s midweek draw with Crystal Palace, with loan signing Wout Weghorst again leading the line.
New Arsenal arrival Leandro Trossard, who joined last weekend from Brighton, will have to settle for the bench as Mikel Arteta names an unchanged squad.
– Arsenal confidence –
The Emiratis’ confidence is growing that the Gunners can go on a long wait for the Premier League title, which they have not won since 2004.
Arsenal flew out of the blocks, with Thomas Partey flashing just wide as they surged forward.
But United broke the deadlock in the 17th minute in stunning style, when Bruno Fernandes met Rashford, who skipped past Partey with ease and powered a low drive into the corner of the net from 25 meters.
Arsenal were level just seven minutes later when the in-form Nketiah beat Aaron Wan-Bissaka at the back post to head home Granit Xhaka’s cross.
Now the wind was in the home team’s sails as they poured forward but United came close to taking the lead again, McTominay forcing a diving save from Aaron Ramsdale.
Arteta was booked by referee Anthony Taylor after half an hour as tempers got the better of him, but the first half was all over after a few clear chances.
Arsenal were again the first to threaten after the break, jumping forward in search of another goal and taking the lead in the 53rd minute.
Christian Eriksen stopped from England, who moved the ball to his left foot and shot unerringly past David de Gea in the United goal from outside the box.
But the pulsating game took another twist when United pulled level just six minutes later.
Ramsdale cleared the ball from United’s corner and Lisandro Martinez dived himself, curling a header into the net.
Arsenal regrouped and Saka hit the post in quick succession as De Gea watched nervously.
De Gea made a fine save as Nketiah chipped him from close range as the clock ticked down, with United unable to control the ball for what continued to be a spell.
United almost held on for the draw, but Arsenal secured the three points when Nketiah scored his second of the evening during a lengthy VAR review.