The first significant test of Ruben Amorim’s tenure as United manager came against the Gunners.
This season, Arsenal will ride a love train if they are to launch a serious title assault.
That is the lineup of Gunners players who pack the opposition six-yard box, run in from behind the back post whenever they win a corner, and score goals often.
5Arsenal ran out 2-0 winners over Manchester United at the EmiratesCredit: GETTY
5Jurrien Timber broke the deadlock in the 54th minute with a deft headerCredit: REUTERS
Here, Arsenal scored from two of these well-known set-piece routines—off the head of Jurrien Timber and the right buttock of William Saliba—causing Ruben Amorim to lose for the first time as Manchester United’s manager.Arsenal have scored 22 goals from a corner in the Premier League since the beginning of the previous season, seven more than any other team, thanks to that lucky attempt from the French defender.No one at the Emirates will care if they can compete with Liverpool, even though Mikel Arteta’s methods are more akin to those of Tony Pulis than Arsene Wenger.In a memorable match in Newcastle, Arne Slot’s team came for a point and ended up with nothing as the Gunners were battling it out against an uninspired United team.Arteta’s team now trails Chelsea in second place on goal differential and is just seven points behind leaders Liverpool.After this third consecutive resounding league victory, there is hope, although a small one.Before Matthijs De Ligt was denied a goal halfway through the second half by a spectacular stop by David Raya, Amorim’s team hardly had a chance on goal.However, the 13-0 corner count spoke for itself. Given that Arsenal is unquestionably the experts of the set-piece, you really cannot afford to give them so many opportunities.After this, Guru Nico Jover will receive even more praise. Despite all of the discussion about Amorim’s tactical prowess, United was utterly inept at this defensive fundamental.As he struggles with the different combinations among his team, Amorim is still at the bingo master level with his picks.
There were six changes from the 4-0 thumping of Everton – including the benching of Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee, who between them netted all four goals on Sunday.
Mason Mount, a player Amorim has expressed his “love” for, was handed his first league start since August – against his best chum Declan Rice.
Arsenal’s defensive resources were being stretched Gabriel and Ricardo Calafiori joining Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu on the injury list, with Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko both drafted in.
On a filthy old night in north London, the first half was a tough old watch.
There was precious little devilment from Arsenal and United found it all too easy to sit in their shape and threaten on the counter.
Gabriel Martinelli had the ball in the net early on but Kai Havertz had been well offside.
Arsenal’s only real threat was from their trademark corner-kick routines – Thomas Partey mistiming a header from point-blank range and the ball cannoning wide off his shoulder.
Martinelli blazed wide after Andre Onana had punched a dangerous Saka corner out from beneath his bar.
Amorim sat on his haunches, stroked his chin and watched the chess. Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane would have hated it.
It wasn’t until the 43rd minute that United had a shot – Diogo Dalot drilling wide across goal.
Yet there wasn’t a single effort on target from either side during one of the most forgettable halves of football you could ever imagine watching.
Tyrell Malacia, who booked in a tangle with Havertz just before the interval, was hooked at half-time to make way for Amad Diallo – the stand-out star of Amorim’s early reign.
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Shortly after the second half began, Liverpool saw their lead erased at Newcastle, sparking faint hopes of a potential title race—and the possibility of Arsenal being involved.
Rice had a deflected shot fly over, and following a lengthy stoppage due to Matthijs De Ligt’s injury, Arsenal pressed with another corner, finally taking the lead.
Arsenal crowded the six-yard box during every set-piece, and Rice’s delivery to the near post caused Hojlund to miss his clearance, allowing Timber to sneak in and nod the ball past Onana.
Amorim immediately responded by introducing Rashford, Zirkzee, and debutant defender Lenny Yoro, who was returning from a pre-season injury after joining from Lille.
Yoro’s first challenge was to help fend off more Arsenal corners, including one from Rice that Ugarte managed to clear off the line.
Diallo outpaced Zinchenko and was brought down on the edge of the box, earning the Arsenal defender a yellow card.
Fernandes whipped in the free-kick, and De Ligt’s towering header prompted an incredible save from Raya, his first major intervention midway through the second half.
Zinchenko was soon subbed off for Mikel Merino, with Partey shifting to right-back as Trossard came on for Martinelli.
Then came the second goal—Rashford conceded a corner while juggling the ball near his goal line.
Saka’s delivery from the right found Partey, who nodded it back across goal, and the ball ricocheted in off Saliba.
Havertz had the chance to seal the victory after receiving a perfect pass from Odegaard, but Onana denied him at the near post.
Merino later headed wide from another corner, while Partey narrowly missed converting—again, from yet another set-piece.