Manchester United Stun Arsenal with Dramatic Comeback: 3-2 Thriller at the Emirates.
Manchester United produced a stunning second-half revival to defeat Premier League leaders Arsenal 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium, inflicting the Gunners' first home loss of the season and significantly tightening the title race.
Arsenal dominated the early stages and took a deserved lead in the 29th minute through an own goal by Lisandro Martinez, who unfortunately diverted the ball past his own goalkeeper under pressure from Arsenal's attacking movement.
However, United responded quickly. Just eight minutes later, Bryan Mbeumo leveled the scores at 1-1 with a well-taken finish, breathing life into the visitors before halftime.
The second half saw United turn the game on its head. In the 50th minute, Patrick Dorgu put the Red Devils ahead 2-1, slotting home after a swift counter. Replays were inconclusive on a potential handball (many felt it struck his hip rather than arm), but VAR upheld the goal.
Arsenal pushed hard for an equalizer, and it arrived in the 84th minute when Mikel Merino pounced on a chaotic corner sequence. Bukayo Saka delivered an awkward delivery, goalkeeper Senne Lammens punched it toward his own goal (possibly off an attacker's head), Matheus Cunha cleared off the line, but Merino followed up to make it 2-2.
The drama peaked just three minutes later. After coming off the bench earlier, Cunha produced a moment of magic in the 87th minute: collecting a pass from Kobbie Mainoo, he curled a superb 25-yard effort around Gabriel Magalhães and into the bottom corner for a 3-2 lead. Roy Keane described it as a classic "Man Utd goal" for its power and precision.
United held firm through seven minutes of added time despite Arsenal's late pressure, including corners, a lunging Martinez challenge on Saka in the box, and a late Viktor Gyökeres effort blocked by Lammens. The final whistle confirmed a famous victory for Michael Carrick's side—their first Premier League win at the Emirates since 2017.
Post-Match Reaction;
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised United's quality in "magic moments" from Dorgu and Cunha, admitting his side lost their early fluency and dropped their intensity. "We were dominant for the first 30 minutes, scored, had chances, but conceded in an unusual way," he said, taking responsibility while insisting defeats are part of winning and the team would bounce back.
Captain Martin Ødegaard echoed that the performance "wasn't good enough," highlighting turnovers that shifted momentum, but stressed Arsenal remain top and must stick together.
For United, Harry Maguire called it a "massive win" that backed up their recent derby success, crediting Carrick for galvanizing the squad. Cunha, the matchwinner, described it as his best moment in a United shirt: "It means everything."
The result leaves Arsenal on 50 points (23 games, +25 GD), still leading but with their advantage cut to four points over Manchester City and Aston Villa (both 46 points). United climb to fourth (38 points, +7 GD), showing real resurgence under Carrick.
A bonkers, pulsating contest that swung wildly and delivered late drama—United's quality and bravery ultimately proved decisive in north London.
