Brazilian, Matheus Cunha’s spectacular 87th-minute strike secured a stunning 3-2 victory for Manchester United over Premier League leaders Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, handing the Gunners their first home defeat of the season.
The result, coupled with wins for Manchester City and Aston Villa, cuts Arsenal’s lead at the top to just four points and lifts United into the Champions League places in fourth.
Arsenal began dominantly and were rewarded when Lisandro Martínez deflected a driven cross into his own net just before the half-hour mark. The hosts, however, gifted United an equalizer before halftime as Martin Zubimendi’s errant pass sent Bryan Mbeumo clear, and the forward rounded David Raya to tap into an empty net.
United completed the turnaround early in the second half through a moment of individual brilliance. Patrick Dorgu unleashed a thunderous strike from distance that crashed in off the crossbar, putting the visitors ahead.
Mikel Arteta responded with a quadruple substitution, introducing Viktor Gyökeres, Eberechi Eze, Mikel Merino, and Ben White. The changes appeared to pay off when Merino scrambled home from a corner in the 84th minute to seemingly salvage a point.
But United had the final say. Substitute Cunha, collecting a lay-off from Kobbie Mainoo just moments later, curled a beautiful first-time effort into the far corner from 25 yards, sealing a memorable victory in a dramatic finale.
The victory lands United in fourth place on the log.
