Kai Havertz desperately needs some confidence, Rasmus Hojlund shows early glimpses of his talent and Gabriel is welcomed back into the starting XI… THREE THINGS WE LEARNED from Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Man United
- Arsenal beat Manchester United 3-1 on Sunday after two dramatic late goals
- The result means United have picked up just six points from four games so far
- Mikel Arteta’s side jumped up to fifth as they aim to launch another title push
Arsenal secured a potentially crucial 3-1 win over Manchester United on Sunday after an enthralling encounter at the Emirates.
United battled hard in the game and took the lead through Marcus Rashford midway through the first half, before they were immediately pegged back by Martin Odegaard’s fine finish.
Alejandro Garnacho thought he had won the game in the closing stages, but he was adjudged to be offside by VAR and then Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus scored injury time goals to secure a dramatic last-gasp victory for the Gunners.
Erik ten Hag’s side now have just six points from their first four games, while the Gunners have 10 from four as they look to launch another title challenge after last season’s second place finish.
Below, Mail Sport’s ISAAN KHAN recaps three things we learned from the clash in north London.
Arsenal secured a dramatic 3-1 victory over Manchester United at the Emirates on Sunday
It was a tough result to take for United who continued their difficult start to the campaign
Havertz desperately needs some confidence
Aside from describing his complicated morning commute, a sizeable chunk of Mikel Arteta’s pre-match press conference centred on one man: Kai Havertz.
The man who has garnered such split opinion after only three weeks, you would think he had entered the political arena.
Arteta firmly believes in the German, citing how he requires ‘love’ from the fans. It is clear the manager will not give up on him just yet, though that love from the stands was certainly tested to the limits within half an hour.
Havertz had completely miscued the ball when in on goal, to the noise of groans, which should have resulted in a goal.
And then minutes later, he gifted the ball to Christian Eriksen, who duly fed Marcus Rashford to score.
Kai Havertz struggled for the Gunners and the midfielder desperately needs some confidence
However, Mikel Arteta is prepared to back the German, who arrived for £65m in the summer
The midfielder thought he had won his team a penalty on 60 minutes, after being challenged by both Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Casemiro, only for it to be overturned via the VAR.
One can only surmise his confidence must be being truly tested at this point.
But at least one man refuses to err into negativity, Arteta using up another of his left-field anecdotes afterwards to assess the situation.
‘I said to him (Havertz) on Saturday when things are hard in the beginning when I met my wife it was hard in the beginning,’ he told Sky Sports.
‘I had to work and message, if she says yes on the first day it is probably no good.
‘(What won her over?) persistence, I think. We took the plane on Sunday, we took the metro. We win games, and that’s the beauty of it.’
Gabriel finally returns to the starting XI
It was becoming a game between Arsenal fans from week to week, betting amongst each whether Gabriel would return to the starting line-up.
The strange omission in gameweek one, which had continued for a further two games, caught even the more ardent followers by surprise. Yesterday, Mikel Arteta reverted to type, to the way that put the Gunners in title contention in the last campaign.
That was Oleksandr Zinchenko inverting from left back into midfield, William Saliba paired with Gabriel in the middle, and Ben White at right back.
In many ways it was enforced, Thomas Partey’s injury leaving a gap in the backline. Still, the announcement of the Brazilian’s place in the starting XI earned loud cheers across the Emirates.
They had missed him. One particular moment in the game’s dying moments showed why.
Substitute Alejandro Garnarcho had raced through. The defence could only chase his shadow, the forward finishing past Aaron Ramsdale. It was in the 88th minute. Some heartbreak indeed.
Though it was ruled offside by the VAR. Gabriel had cleverly held the line, leaving Garnacho just millimetres offside.
It is those margins that decide football matches, and those margins which should see Gabriel continue in the line-up.
Gabriel made his first start of the season and was welcomed back into the team by Arsenal fans
Hojlund shows early glimpses of his talent
With the game level at 1-1, the anticipation within the away end became heightened after 67 minutes.
It was the introduction of Rasmus Hojlund, the 20-year-old striker whom Manchester United fans have much of their hopes on.
United lack a prolific striker, and Hojlund has been brought in to answer that call.
It’s early days but he made some impression. A real spark, lacking in parts earlier, ignited through the Manchester club’s attacking play, his energy and keenness to press upon any stray ball rubbing off on team-mates.
His pace and strength caused the Arsenal backline problems and in phases forced them on the retreat.
That was encapsulated on a tussle in the second half with Gabriel which saw the striker fall in the box, unsuccessfully pleading for a penalty.
It was only a short cameo, but Rasmus Hojlund made a positive impression on his United debut
Former United defender Gary Neville said on Sky Sports: ‘Cristiano Ronaldo wasn’t a classic target-man, (Anthony) Martial’s certainly not, (Marcus) Rashford’s not. At least they’ve got someone who looks he’ll mess people around and get his body in there. He’s aggressive, and he’s a runner.
‘This lad, lot of pressure on him, big price tag, but it was an encouraging start.’
The key word here will be patience. He made his first-team debut less than three years ago in Denmark, and the Premier League is a tough beast to tame.
But with time, United could have some player in their hands.
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