Key Takeaways:
- Manchester United secured a 3-2 win at Arsenal last night, marking their second successive major triumph under Michael Carrick
- Arsenal suffered their first home defeat of the season and extended their winless run to three league games
- The Red Devils overtook Liverpool to move into fourth place, while Arsenal remain four points clear at the top
Match Analysis
Manchester United recorded a significant 3-2 victory over Premier League leaders Arsenal, continuing their resurgence since Michael Carrick’s appointment. Buoyed by their previous success against Manchester City a week prior, United delivered another statement win at Emirates Stadium to overtake Liverpool and ascend to fourth in the standings. Conversely, Arsenal endured their first home loss of the campaign, with this result compounding their third consecutive league fixture without a victory. However, the Gunners hold on to first place, maintaining a four-point cushion over Manchester City and Aston Villa.
A MASSIVE RESULT IN THE CAPITAL 💪
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 25, 2026
Key Moments and Goals
The opening phase was dominated by Arsenal, with Lisandro Martínez inadvertently handing the hosts the lead via an own goal in the 29th minute. However, Manchester United responded promptly. Bryan Mbeumo equalised in the 37th minute, capitalising on a costly error by Martín Zubimendi. After the interval, Patrick Dorgu completed United’s turnaround with a spectacular finish in the 51st minute, striking the ball forcefully in off the crossbar.
Despite Mikel Merino drawing Arsenal level in the 84th minute, substitute Matheus Cunha produced an outstanding long-range effort just three minutes later, ultimately securing all three points for the visitors.
| Minute | Event | Team/Player |
|---|---|---|
| 29′ | Own Goal (Martínez) | Arsenal |
| 37′ | Goal (Mbeumo) | Manchester United |
| 51′ | Goal (Dorgu) | Manchester United |
| 84′ | Goal (Merino) | Arsenal |
| 87′ | Goal (Cunha) | Manchester United |
Detailed Match Flow
Arsenal began brightly, dominating possession but failing to create meaningful opportunities. Mistakes were evident on both sides during the early stages, with United coping well with a series of Arsenal corners. The home side’s first clear chance came in the 15th minute, when Declan Rice initiated a move by regaining the ball from Bruno Fernandes, combining with Saliba, only for Lisandro Martínez to block Rice’s effort.
From a Rice free kick, Zubimendi’s header deflected off Casemiro and nearly caught out Lamens, but the visiting goalkeeper intervened. Arsenal’s breakthrough arrived on 29 minutes when Saka set up Ødegaard; the captain’s attempt was diverted by Timber and ultimately deflected in off Martínez.
United reacted energetically. Mbeumo created a chance for Bruno Fernandes, but the midfielder’s effort was off target. Fernandes then spurned a further chance following a defensive mix-up, with Saliba intervening at the last. The deadlock was eventually broken after Zubimendi’s misplaced pass sent Mbeumo in, and the striker made no mistake to level matters in the 37th minute.
Following the goal, Arsenal lost composure and United nearly went in front as Mbeumo attempted an audacious lob against David Raya on the stroke of half-time. After the restart, Dorgu put United ahead with an emphatic strike in the 51st minute. He seized control of the ball, rifling it in off the crossbar.
Dorgu threatened again soon after, missing the target. Arsenal’s attempts to respond were thwarted by a resilient United defence and, notably, Mbeumo who cleared an effort off the goal line in the 56th minute following a corner. Manager Mikel Arteta introduced Eze, Merino, Gyökeres, and White in a quadruple substitution for Ødegaard, Jesus, Zubimendi, and Hincapié ahead of the hour mark.
Despite the flurry of changes, Arsenal struggled to create clear openings. United grew in confidence, dictating possession for stretches. Arsenal’s attack lacked cutting edge until Saka forced Lamens into a near-post save in the 83rd minute. Now coming from a corner, Merino pounced on a loose ball as Lamens failed to claim, equalising for the hosts.
But the hope was short-lived. Matheus Cunha, brought off the bench, drilled a sublime strike from distance in the 87th minute to seal United’s dramatic win. Arsenal had one final opening, with Gyökeres breaking through, but a poor final pass squandered the opportunity, and United held firm to clinch victory.
