Football: Late heroics propel Arsenal to victory over Manchester United in English Premier League

Arsenal's record signing Declan Rice has opened his Arsenal account with a goal deep in stoppage time, before Gabriel Jesus wrapped up a thrilling 3-1 victory against Manchester United in the English Premier League.

Both sides seemed likely to settle for a point, when United had a late goal disallowed, after Arsenal had earlier seen a penalty overturned, but Rice sent the home fans into delirium, with a deflected shot in the 96th minute.

Brazilian striker Jesus then produced a sublime finish after a counterattack, with United committing everyone forward.

Declan Rice celebrates a goal against Manchester United. Photo credit: Getty Images

The home fans serenaded Rice after the game, as the England midfielder provided his most telling contribution, since signing from West Ham United for a reported 105 million pounds (NZ$222.2 million).

"I think I controlled it with my chin and just had a shot," Rice told Sky Sports. "If you don't shoot you don't score, 

"It's the fine margins of football. We go up the other end and I score, then Gabi seals it.

"It's just the margins that makes the results."

United were left crestfallen, especially as they had what they thought was a late winner, scored by substitute Alejandro Garnacho, ruled out for offside after a video check.

"Everything went against us today, but the performance was alright," said United manager Erik ten Hag. "I didn't see that as offside, but it is what is." 

Arsenal have 10 points, along with three other clubs after four games - two behind leaders Manchester City - while United are in 11th place on six points, after already losing twice.

In contrast to the second half, the first period was a cagey affair devoid of much excitement apart from one crazy minute.

United barely made it out of their own half and appeared content to frustrate Arsenal, but Christian Eriksen launched their first attack with a precise pass to Marcus Rashford, who cut in and lashed a right-foot shot past Aaron Ramsdale.

United's joy was brief, as Arsenal immediately launched an attack down the left and Gabriel Martinelli rolled a perfect pass for captain Martin Odegaard to drive a left-foot shot low past Andre Onana.

Clear chances were few and far between in the second half, but Arsenal thought they had the breakthrough, when Kai Havertz went down in the area, under pressure from Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and a penalty was awarded.

It looked a fair decision at the time, but referee Anthony Taylor was instructed to check a pitchside monitor and deemed that Wan-Bissaka made little contact.

When Garnacho was played through and he calmly beat Ramsdale, it appeared the visitors had finally sealed a rare away win against a top-half side, after managing only one against top-10 opposition in the whole of the last campaign.

The celebrations were cut short, as Garnacho was judged marginally offside.

The fireworks were still to come, with Rice controlling a corner and driving a shot past Onana, after taking a slight deflection. Jesus then put the icing on the cake.

"It is a beautiful thing how these turn around and we won the game," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said. "We have been so dominant.

"Against Fulham it was a similar story. The team deserves more.

"When I see a team with that will to win, the eagerness to go and go, it is beautiful." 

Reuters

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