Leandro Trossard of Arsenal took advantage of an awful Manchester United defense to achieve a 1-0 victory on Sunday, moving his team temporarily ahead of Manchester City atop the Premier League standings and ensuring that the title fight will go all the way to the final day.
With one game remaining in the most competitive title race in years, holders City lead the way with 85 points, while Arsenal, who have only triumphed twice at Old Trafford in their previous 17 trips, have 86 points. When City visits Arsenal’s London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday, they have the opportunity to take the lead once again. City is vying for a record fourth consecutive English top-flight championship.
In the 20th minute, Kai Havertz darted into space on the right, narrowly avoided a challenge, and sent the ball into the box, where Trossard tucked it in.
As goalkeeper Andre Onana blasted the ball upfield, heads turned to look for an offside flag. However, Casemiro, who just moved from midfield into United’s injury-ravaged defense line, had gently pushed out from the box and kept Havertz onside.
Erik ten Hag, the manager of United, was left shaking his head in exasperation.
During the last anxious few minutes, the game bounced from end to end, with Onana flying to block shots from Declan Rice and Arsenal substitute Gabriel Martinelli. With two games remaining, United, who were trying to recover from a terrible 4-0 loss against Crystal Palace on Monday, are currently ranked seventh. In their pursuit of a European spot for the following campaign, they are three points behind Newcastle in sixth position, and Wednesday’s visit by the Magpies to Old Trafford will be a crucial encounter.
Trossard’s goal was the 82nd time Ten Hag’s team have conceded this season in all competitions — their most in a single campaign since 1970–71. United enjoyed plenty of the ball in the final third, and had 14 shots to Arsenal’s 11, but struggled to create many quality chances.
Alejandro Garnacho was United’s biggest threat, particularly in the second half. He launched one shot wide and sent another into the side netting before hanging his head in frustration.
The visiting fans, whose singing did not let up all evening, erupted at the final whistle after a game that was tighter than predicted. Not even the torrential downpour could dampen their celebration after the job done by Mikel Arteta’s team.
Arsenal host Everton in their season finale, while City are at home to West Ham United.
