Nketiah strikes late as leaders Arsenal top Man United in thriller - Thelocalreport.in

Soccer Football – Premier League – Arsenal v Manchester United – Emirates Stadium, London, Britain – January 22, 2023 Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah celebrates scoring their third goal Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra

LONDON – Arsenal restored their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League with Eddie Nketiah scoring twice in a 3-2 defeat of Manchester United, including a 90th-minute winner, in a thrilling clash at The Emirates on Sunday.

It looked set to finish with the honors even with United holding off a late siege from the Gunners, but Nketiah stepped in from close range to send the home fans into ecstasy.

In a game that lived up to the hype, Marcus Rashford gave United the lead with an impressive early opener, only for Nketiah to level Arsenal in a frantic first half.

A brilliant shot from Bukayo Saka gave Arsenal the lead on 53 minutes, but Lisandro Martínez’s header leveled the score before the hour mark to set up an absorbing finale.

Saka hit the post and David de Gea fended off Nketiah, but the hosts were relentless in avenging their loss to United earlier in the season, their only defeat.

Mikel Arteta’s side have 50 points from 19 games, their best first half in a Premier League campaign, with City on 45 of 20 and United fourth on 39, trailing Newcastle United on goal difference.

“You could see how much we wanted to win and how much we wanted it for ourselves and our fans,” said youngster Nketiah, who has scored seven goals in his last seven games as a substitute for the injured Gabriel Jesus.

“We kept pushing and pushing and luckily we found the goal.”

Arsenal’s title credentials are no longer in question and the win over United was another big statement after champions City had come within two points.

United have been in excellent form, winning five of their last six in the league, and they took that confidence in the early stages despite being without suspended midfielder Casemiro.

It took just 17 minutes for them to take the lead and it was no surprise that it was the in-form Rashford who scored the goal.

As Arsenal lost the ball at midfield, the ball landed at Rashford’s feet and, after going past Thomas Partey, he sliced in before firing a low shot from outside the penalty area that screamed inside the near post.

It was a shock for Arsenal, who had not conceded so early all season, but they responded impressively.

United needlessly conceded a corner after trying to play from behind and Arsenal handed the ball to Granit Xhaka, who delivered a mouthwatering cross for Nketiah to perfectly time his jump and header into the back of the net.

Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was forced to save Scott McTominay as the frantic pace continued until half time.

The hosts stepped up in the second half and Saka gave them the lead in the 53rd minute with a goal past Rashford’s opponent. Coming in from the right, he fired a terrific left foot that gave De Gea no chance.

However, United came back and six minutes later they were level when Ramsdale failed to handle a high ball correctly and the ball bounced off Martinez, who improvised a high header that settled into the back of the net.

Arsenal began to tighten the screws and with 20 minutes to go Saka nearly restored Arsenal’s lead with a carbon copy of his goal, but this time the ball hit the outside of the post and when De Gea saved Nketiah it looked like the hosts would have to settle for one point.

But Nketiah, who has established himself as a fan favourite, was on hand to score from in front of goal in the 90th minute after a low cross deflected his way.