Arsenal
Aston Villa
Chelsea
Crystal Palace
Everton
Fulham
Leeds United
Liverpool
Manchester City
Manchester United
Newcastle United
Nottingham Forest
Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham United
Wolverhampton Wanderers
News
Three interesting stats as Arsenal ended Manchester United’s 25-match unbeaten run
Two quick-fire second-half goals proved to be enough for Arsenal to end Manchester United’s 25-match unbeaten run in the Premier League and keep up their own outside top-four hopes on Sunday.
In a very open first-half, David de Gea made a superb full-stretch stop from Aaron Ramsey’s angled shot, whilst opposite number Petr Cech smartly saved from Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney.
The game then completely turned on its head inside four minutes after the break, with Granit Xhaka’s deflected effort looping into the net, before Danny Welbeck headed home emphatically.
Jose Mourinho’s side failed to mount a sustained effort on the Gunners’ goal after that, with Wayne Rooney’s wayward efforts the closest they came, and it sees them lose their first league match since October.
The result sees Arsenal close the gap on United to just two points – with a game in hand on their rivals – who in turn remain four points behind Manchester City in fourth place with just three games left to play.
191 – Arsenal blitz stuns the visitors
Arsene Wenger’s side seemed to have learnt their lesson from their North London derby defeat to Tottenham last weekend and instead turned the table on their Manchester opponents.
Two goals in the space of 118 seconds unravelled the Gunners at White Hart Lane, but this time it was their own three-minute blitz that shocked Manchester United and all-but secured the result.
There was certainly an element of fortune about Granit Xhaka’s opener, deflecting off Ander Herrera’s back before looping over David de Gea, but on the balance of play it was deserved.
The visitors then made the same criminal error that Arsenal made against Spurs, switching off with their heads down and before they knew it they were staring at a two-goal deficit with 35 to go.
Although the top-four is still perhaps a little out of Arsenal’s reach, they’ve given themselves the confidence and momentum to put themselves right in the mix come the final day of the season.
4 – United debutant impresses in defeat
At the tender age of just 19-years-old, Jose Mourinho gave young Axel Tuanzebe his Manchester United debut against Arsenal on Sunday – and gave him the task of keeping Alexis Sanchez quiet.
As most defenders in the Premier League know this season, this is certainly something easier said than done, but Tuanzebe was excellent all afternoon in a disappointing result for the visitors.
Deployed in a right-back position due to Mourinho’s intention to rest first-team regulars for the Europa League semi-final return leg against Celta Vigo on Thursday, the teenager was far from over-awed by his world-class opponents and stood head and shoulders above his United teammates.
The 19-year-old won four tackles at the Emirates – more than any other player on the pitch – and he was part of a defensive effort that kept Arsenal at bay well but for a sucker-punch four-minute spell.
Tuanzebe also made four clearances, three interceptions and two blocks but it was how he kept Sanchez so quiet that was most impressive; the Chilean would have been licking his lips at the prospect of facing a debutant, but he was simply out-played and out-muscled by the youngster.
It was a similar time in last year’s campaign when a young Manchester United player called Marcus Rashford announced himself to the Premier League with a brace against the Gunners, and now fast forward a year and another member of United’s youth system may have just announced himself too.
3 – Welbeck comes back to haunt boyhood side
Arsenal’s Danny Welbeck ensured that he came back to haunt his former side as it was his goal that doubled the Gunners’ advantage in quick-fire fashion to put the game beyond United.
After being denied a certain goal by Phil Jones’ first-half block he made no mistake second-time around, thumping home a header off the crossbar to show his old side just what they’re missing.
It means that Welbeck has now scored in his last three appearances against his former employers, and United must be getting sick of the sight of him celebrating.
It wasn’t a spectacular performance from the 26-year-old, only making nine passes and having three shots, but he was in the box when it counted and made no mistake to send his side to victory.
A special mention also needs to go to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – the man whose cross was superbly whipped in to Welbeck – who seems to be thriving in a right-wing back role in Arsenal’s new system.
His assist was his 7th of the season and only Alexis Sanchez now has more (nine) for the North London side; after struggling to consolidate his place in the side, he’s now in undroppable form.
Featured Image: All rights reserved by