3 standout players from enthralling victory over Man Utd

3. Gabriel Magalhães

In the starting line-up for the first time this season, Gabriel Magalhães didn’t show any signs whatsoever of rust. He picked up exactly where he left off last season and was fantastic.

He defended very well and was important in the team’s build-up. He had to battle United’s new signing Rasmus Højlund, a very physical player, and did well in that department, even if he didn’t look all that comfortable.

However, he was crucial to the Arsenal victory in two different ways. Firstly, he had the presence of mind and the correct positioning to put Garnacho offside by the slightest whisker. He notices that the Argentinian is through, so he takes a step forward to ensure the winger’s offside/

Then, for Rice’s goal, Gabriel intelligently stops anyone from getting to Rice without fouling. He puts his big frame between the United defenders and Rice, which gives the midfielder the time to take aim and shoot.

He had a brilliant return to the team and I feel reassured when he is on the pitch.

It was a fantastic result for Arsenal and praise has to be given to substitutes Gabriel Jesus and Reiss Nelson. Jesus scored a brilliant goal all while humiliating Diogo Dalot and looks back to his old self. Nelson was so purposeful every time he had the ball and deserves more minutes on the pitch.

Despite not being the best performance, the result and the way that it was attained is one to savour for Arsenal fans.