EPL: Set-Piece Specialists - Arsenal Edge Past Manchester United

Arsenal delivers a convincing 2-0 victory over Manchester United, showcasing their dominance from set-pieces and cementing their title credentials.

Arsenal secured a comfortable victory over Manchester United, with two goals from corner kicks proving decisive. This defeat marked the first loss for Manchester United's manager Ruben Amorim in English football. The Gunners' defense turned attack, as Jurrien Timber and William Saliba scored the crucial goals, capitalizing on Liverpool's dropped points to narrow the gap at the top of the Premier League table.

Arsenal's triumph propelled them to third place in the standings, with 28 points, level with Chelsea and seven points adrift of leaders Liverpool, managed by Arne Slot. The turning point came in the 54th minute, when Declan Rice's corner was met by full-back Jurrien Timber, who headed the ball in at the near post to give Arsenal the lead.

Arsenal nearly doubled their advantage shortly after, as another Declan Rice corner caused chaos in the Manchester United box. Joshua Zirkzee's flick-on was cleared off the line by Manuel Ugarte, denying the Gunners a second goal. This near-miss only served to heighten the tension, but Arsenal's defense held firm, securing a vital win that keeps their title aspirations alive.

William Saliba sealed the win for Arsenal, scoring the second goal after Thomas Partey's header from Bukayo Saka's corner ricocheted off the French defender's back and past Andre Onana in the Manchester United goal. This victory highlighted Arsenal's growing prowess from set-pieces under the guidance of manager Mikel Arteta.

Since the start of last season, Arsenal has developed a potent threat from corners, scoring 22 goals from these situations, surpassing all other Premier League teams. The goals from Jurrien Timber and William Saliba in this match exemplified this strength. Meanwhile, Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim's team did pose some threats, notably when Diogo Dalot's shot flashed past David Raya's post in the first half.

David Raya was called upon to make an excellent save in the second half, denying Matthijs de Ligt's effort. As the match drew to a close, Arsenal continued to dominate, with substitute Mikel Merino heading wide from another well-crafted set-piece, and Kai Havertz having an effort saved by Andre Onana. Ultimately, this defeat brought an end to Ruben Amorim's three-game unbeaten start as Manchester United manager, a result that may have been foreshadowed by Amorim's pre-match warning that a “storm will come” for United.

Arsenal's recent form has been nothing short of impressive, with the team embarking on a five-match unbeaten run since losing consecutive games to Inter Milan and Newcastle in early November. The return of Martin Odegaard has coincided with this resurgence, and Mikel Arteta's side is once again looking like a formidable title contender. This victory marked a significant milestone, as it was Arsenal's 500th match at Emirates Stadium.

The win also represented a notable achievement for Arsenal, as they secured their first three successive league victories of the season. Prior to the match, there were concerns about the absence of center-back Gabriel Magalhaes due to injury, particularly given his recent goal-scoring form. Magalhaes had scored in each of his last two games, and his presence at set-pieces was expected to be missed. However, his fellow defenders, including Jurrien Timber and William Saliba, demonstrated their own threat from corners, ultimately proving that Arsenal's set-piece prowess was not solely reliant on Magalhaes.

Interestingly, Manchester United had placed a significant emphasis on defending set-pieces during their warm-up at the Emirates, but this preparation ultimately proved insufficient. Despite their efforts, United struggled to cope with Arsenal's deliveries from corners, which ultimately led to the decisive goals in the match.

Despite their efforts, Manchester United ultimately succumbed to a familiar vulnerability, conceding two goals from corners in a Premier League match for the first time since January 2014. On that occasion, Chelsea's Samuel Eto'o capitalized on United's set-piece frailties, scoring twice en route to a hat-trick in a 3-1 win. This time around, Arsenal expertly exploited United's weaknesses in this area.

Arsenal's dominance from dead-ball situations was a hallmark of their performance, as they consistently threatened to score from corners and free kicks. While David Raya was forced to make a couple of impressive saves to deny United, the overall tone of the match was one of comfort for Arsenal. The Gunners' set-piece prowess ultimately proved too much for United to handle, as they secured a well-deserved victory.

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim's pre-match assessment that his team was “in a different point” compared to Arsenal proved to be an accurate reflection of the gulf between the two sides. Despite United's well-organized and resilient performance in the first half, the underlying frustrations that Amorim has been trying to address were still evident.

Amorim's animated demeanor on the touchline was a testament to his passion and desire to see his team improve. He constantly urged his players to move the ball more quickly when they had the opportunity to attack, and his gestures to the bench reflected his frustration when this did not happen. United's preparation for the match had included a focus on defending corners, acknowledging Arsenal's significant threat in this area. However, when it came to the actual game, United struggled to cope with Arsenal's deliveries.

Despite the disappointment of the defeat, there was a positive note for Amorim, as he was able to hand a competitive debut to £62m defender Leny Yoro. The 19-year-old's introduction to the team is a significant step, as Amorim seeks to construct a team capable of challenging the Premier League elite. Yoro's involvement is likely to be a key aspect of Amorim's plans, as he aims to build a more competitive and resilient United side.