(Football news) Manchester United made it four consecutive wins in the Premier League after a 3-1 victory over Arsenal at Old Trafford. The Red Devils’ newest signing Antony was named in the starting XI after only a few training sessions with his new team, having joined the club on deadline day for £86m from Ajax. It was a decision by Erik ten Hag that showed great faith in the Brazilian winger, who already knows the system that the Dutch manager is trying to implement and looked completely unfazed from kick off. 

While Arsenal went into the match after winning every single Premier League game so far, it was the first time they were facing an opposition who could potentially rival the Gunners in terms of quality on the team sheet. The hosts started off well, maintaining possession with some slick and smart passes as they looked for the opening goal. However, Arsenal against the run of play found the scoresheet when Odegaard appeared to have dispossessed Christian Eriksen in the build up which led to Gabriel Martinelli finding the back of the net. However, referee Paul Tierney used the pitchside monitor to come to the conclusion that Odegaard had fouled Eriksen which led to the goal, resulting in the scores being level.

Old Trafford erupted in the 35th minute when Antony scored a first-half opener after some brilliant build up play involving Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford. The Brazilian was one-on-one with Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale and used his left foot to whip the ball into the net. Arsenal eventually found the equaliser at the hour mark when Bukayo Saka found the back of the net but it was temporary respite for the Gunners that lasted only six minutes. Marcus Rashford, who hasn’t had the best of starts in the Premier League capitalised on a fantastic through ball by Bruno Fernandes to find the back of the net and then got his second goal in the 75th minute when Christian Eriksen unselfishly provided the assist. Manchester United are only three points behind league leaders Arsenal now while Manchester City and Tottenham are a point behind.

Speaking after the match, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said “I thought our start was really good – the best 10 minutes where we were really dominant in the opponent's half. The cancelled goal broke our composure a little bit. It's not necessary – you have to keep going and play your game. When we learn that we will be an even better team. We saw a good team on the pitch, good team spirit. They were maybe not always good routines, but they fought and they recovered. 

“Arsenal, of course, created chances but I think we also did. We scored great goals. We could have done things better but that will come – we are not that long together. When we get that we will be even more controlled. It will be hard work and there is still a lot of room for improvement. As you see, when the team gets a setback, they deal with it and they fight back. That's really good to see. I like this mentality. Arsenal played well but we defended well. I never had the feeling they would break us with their possession and a lot of movement and creativity." 

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said “We're really disappointed to lose the game, especially with what happened in the 95 minutes. We had big periods where we were totally dominant in total control and taking chances. But we didn't close the game, and when they have open spaces at any moment, they're going to hurt you. In both boxes was the big difference. They had three big chances and scored three goals and we had numerous chances and didn't score enough goals. In the first 18 minutes, we struggled and then it was all us. After 1-1, it was all us. We lose a ball in a really difficult place from a throw-in when we don't have to play that kind of pass and in one pass they are through." 

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