Arsenal vs Manchester United: Mikel Arteta hails 'corner kings' after 2-0 win

Arsenal stretched their winning run to four games, securing a 2-0 victory over Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday. Both goals came from set-pieces, with Jurrien Timber and William Saliba heading in from corners, showcasing the Gunners’ growing strength in that area of their game. Mikel Arteta praised his team’s overall adaptability in attack and their determination to overcome a challenging period in the season.

This victory, Arsenal’s fourth consecutive win in all competitions, followed a sequence of draws and defeats before the international break. It also saw them cut the gap to Premier League leaders Liverpool to just seven points after the Reds drew 2-2 at Newcastle United.

Despite the absence of injured key defender Gabriel, Arsenal’s set-piece threat remained potent, with their corners constantly causing problems for United. Arteta, when asked about his side’s proficiency in dead-ball situations, noted that set pieces are an integral part of Arsenal’s evolution into a more complete team.

“We want to be dangerous and effective from every angle and every phase of play, and we work on that,” Arteta told reporters. “Today, we could have scored from open play, like we did against West Ham and Sporting, so the team really believes that from every angle, we can threaten the opponent and score.”

While Arsenal’s set-piece prowess was on full display, the first half saw a rather subdued performance. Arsenal struggled to create clear-cut chances from open play, though Thomas Partey did have an opportunity from a Declan Rice corner that deflected wide. United’s goalkeeper, Andre Onana, was forced into two quick clearances from corners, with the second providing a half-chance for Gabriel Martinelli, whose shot went high and wide.

Manchester United appeared content to slow the tempo, keeping possession but failing to carve out any significant threats. They did come close to scoring late in the first half, with Diogo Dalot pulling a shot wide from a tight angle.

The game sprang to life in the second half, and it was from another Rice corner that Timber gave Arsenal the lead in the 54th minute, heading in from a narrow angle. United almost responded instantly, with David Raya pulling off a remarkable fingertip save to deny Matthijs de Ligt’s header from a set-piece.

Arsenal sealed the win in the 73rd minute when Saliba scored from another dangerous corner delivery. Partey’s header from Bukayo Saka’s delivery bounced off Saliba and into the net, giving Arsenal their 22nd league goal from corners since the start of last season.

Ruben Amorim, United’s manager, acknowledged that the game was defined by set pieces. “Until the set pieces, the game didn’t have too many opportunities for both sides, but those set pieces really decided the game,” he said.

With the win, Arsenal climbed to third place in the Premier League, tied on points with Chelsea but ahead on goal difference. The victory also means they’ve now closed the gap to Liverpool to seven points, reigniting their title challenge after a period of mixed results.

Arteta dismissed any concerns over the scoreline of Liverpool’s match, focusing instead on his team’s mindset and response to setbacks. “The will to win is there,” Arteta said. “We tried our best to do that. It’s true that we went through a lot in that period, with the schedule and the position that we played. A lot of things had to be reacted to, but it’s about doing it next. We’ve won four in a row – it doesn’t matter. We have to go to Fulham and be better than them.”

Arsenal’s display not only showcased their set-piece strength but also signified their resilience in the face of adversity. Despite a few tough weeks, the Gunners are back on track and primed for the next challenge.

Meanwhile, United’s defeat – their first under Amorim and their first league loss since December 2023 – left them languishing in 11th place with 19 points. Amorim’s unbeaten start to his managerial reign was brought to an abrupt halt by the relentless pressure of Arsenal’s corners and solid all-round display.