Arsenal and Manchester United played to a draw in a true football battle on Sunday afternoon. It means another setback for Mikel Arteta's side, which is seeing Arne Slot's Liverpool slip further out of reach.
Manchester United and Arsenal played out an intense and fiercely contested 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, a result that does little to help either side in their respective ambitions this season.
While United showed glimpses of improvement under Rúben Amorim, they once again failed to capitalize on key moments. Arsenal, on the other hand, dominated large spells of the game but struggled to find the cutting edge needed to secure all three points.
Rúben Amorim made some notable selections in his starting lineup, opting to field Joshua Zirkzee as the main striker and handing Matthijs de Ligt a starting role in defense. However, the United manager also had to navigate distractions off the pitch. Thousands of Manchester United fans staged another protest against the Glazer family, voicing their ongoing frustration with the club’s ownership. The demonstrations outside Old Trafford and the atmosphere inside the stadium reflected a fanbase still demanding change. Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta stuck with a familiar setup, with Jurriën Timber earning another start after impressing in recent matches. The Dutch defender had made headlines midweek after scoring in Arsenal’s Champions League victory over PSV. His inclusion added stability to Arsenal’s backline, though the Gunners' defensive vulnerabilities were still exposed at times.
From the opening whistle, Arsenal controlled possession and dictated the tempo, much like they had in their previous Champions League encounter in Eindhoven. Martin Ødegaard orchestrated Arsenal’s attacks, constantly looking to break through United’s defensive lines. Despite their dominance, the Gunners found it difficult to create clear-cut chances, as United defended deep and relied on counterattacks to threaten. Manchester United’s defensive resilience paid off just before halftime. In stoppage time, Arsenal conceded a free kick just outside the box. Bruno Fernandes, as he has done so many times before, stepped up and curled a stunning shot past David Raya, giving United the lead with the last kick of the first half. The Portuguese playmaker has been United’s most influential player in recent games, and this goal marked his second direct free-kick goal in three Premier League matches, having also scored against Everton.
At the break, Amorim was forced to make a substitution due to an injury to Leny Yoro, who remained in the dressing room. In his place, the Portuguese coach handed a debut to Ayden Heaven, a promising young defender. On the Arsenal side, Arteta made a bold move by introducing Gabriel Martinelli earlier than expected. The Brazilian had been sidelined with an injury but returned to action ahead of schedule, providing Arsenal with much-needed attacking impetus. United had a golden opportunity to double their lead when Noussair Mazraoui found himself in a dangerous position inside the box, but the Moroccan full-back’s effort was blocked at the last moment. Arsenal quickly capitalized on this let-off and intensified their search for an equalizer. Declan Rice, who had already threatened from a set-piece earlier in the match, finally found the breakthrough. After a brilliant piece of play from Timber on the right flank, the English midfielder latched onto a loose ball and fired an unstoppable shot into the far corner, leveling the score at 1-1 in the 74th minute. The goal reignited Arsenal’s hopes, and from that moment, they pushed relentlessly for a winner.
The closing minutes of the match saw both teams go all out for a decisive goal. Arsenal, fueled by Martinelli’s pace and dribbling, looked the more likely side to find a winner. However, United posed their own threats, particularly through second-half substitutes Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes. In the dying seconds, Fernandes nearly became the hero for United again, but his shot was miraculously cleared off the goal line by an alert Arsenal defender. The final whistle blew with both teams forced to settle for a point—an outcome that neither side will be particularly satisfied with.
For Arsenal, the draw represents another stumble in their pursuit of the Premier League title. With Liverpool securing a crucial win over Southampton on Saturday, Arteta’s side now finds themselves trailing further behind in the race. The Gunners will need to regain momentum quickly as they prepare for their upcoming Champions League clash against PSV, a match that, given their first-leg advantage, seems more of a formality than a serious challenge. Manchester United, meanwhile, remains plagued by inconsistency. While Amorim’s side showed flashes of brilliance, their inability to close out games continues to haunt them. Their attention now shifts to the Europa League, where they will face Real Sociedad with the aggregate score tied at 1-1.
Both teams will undoubtedly be reflecting on missed opportunities in this match, knowing that such moments could define their seasons. Arsenal, in particular, will rue their lack of efficiency in the final third, while United will hope to build on their defensive improvements and find more consistency in attack. As the Premier League campaign intensifies, the pressure mounts for both clubs. Whether this draw proves to be a minor setback or a defining moment remains to be seen.
