Premier League 2024-25: Corner specialist Arsenal earns 2-0 win over Manchester United

Premier League 2024-25: Corner specialist Arsenal earns 2-0 win over Manchester United

Jurrien Timber and William Saliba found the net from corners as Arsenal claimed a 2-0 victory against Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, cutting the gap to Premier League leader Liverpool.

The Gunners threatened from set pieces with Thomas Partey unable to direct a dangerous Declan Rice corner in the first half.

United goalkeeper Andre Onana twice needed to punch clear from corners, with the second presenting a half-chance for Gabriel Martinelli who sliced his shot high and wide.

The visitor was content to slow the game down and retain possession, but went close before the break as Diogo Dalot dragged his effort wide from a tight angle.

Arsenal went ahead in the 54th minute from another Rice corner in the 54th minute, as Timber headed in from a tight angle.

United nearly pared the scores from a set piece shortly after, but David Raya produced a fingertip save to claw away Matthijs de Ligt’s goalbound header.

Arsenal put the game to bed in the 73rd minute when Partey’s header from a Bukayo Saka delivery bounced off Saliba and went in for Arsenal’s 22nd league goal from a corner since the start of last season.

Rice nearly added a third before substitute Mikel Merino headed past the post from the resulting corner, as each set piece generated a roar of expectation.

Arsenal saw the game out to capitalise on Liverpool’s draw at Newcastle United, with the victory putting it third behind Chelsea on goal difference on 28 points from 14 games — with the gap to the leader down to seven points.

Amorim’s first loss as United manager — and his first league defeat since his former club Sporting was beaten by Vitoria de Guimaraes in December, 2023 — left the side in 11th place with 19 points.

-With inputs from Reuters