Arsenal 2-3 Man United: Player ratings as sloppy Gunners slip up once again

Arsenal slipped up once again in the Premier League title race as they fell to a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Manchester United at Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Arteta made four changes to the side that managed a 3-1 win at Inter Milan in midweek. Gabriel Jesus retained his spot as the starting striker while Gabriel Magalhaes, Martin Ødegaard, Declan Rice and Piero Hincapié came in, with the latter making his long-awaited return from injury.

The Gunners dominated the early stages, enjoying most of the possession in United's half and their first real chance of the game just after 15 minutes. Rice played a dangerous free kick into the box that Martín Zubimendi rose to meet with his head, but Senne Lammens did really well to keep his effort out.

United upped the ante after that chance, but it was Arsenal who found the breakthrough after a hard fought opening half hour. Bukayo Saka collected a cross and controlled it before playing it to Ødegaard, who sent a skewed effort toward goal. Lisandro Martinez, under pressure from Jurrien Timber, missed the ball, allowing it to bounce off him and past Lammens to open the scoring.

The lead didn't last long though as the Gunners shot themselves in the foot to allow the visitors a way back in. Zubimendi played a sloppy back pass that Bryan Mbeumo pounced on to race through on goal, take the ball away from David Raya and fire in the leveller.

Arsenal knew they needed to come out for the second-half ready to push for the next goal, but that didn't fall their way as Patrick Dorgu netted a stunning strike to shock the Emirates and put United ahead. A quick move between the Dane and Bruno Fernandes ended in the left winger firing a sensational effort off the crossbar and into the back of the net.

Arteta opted to turn to his bench after his side went behind, bringing on attacking reinforcements in the form of Viktor Gyökeres and Eberechi Eze, as well as Ben White and Mikel Merino. However, they still struggled to break United down with no real threat in attack.

As the Gunners continued to push, the leveller finally came with less than 10 minutes to play. Saka's corner delivery caused problems for the United defence and the ball fell perfectly for Merino to tap home from close range.

It looked as if the momentum would be fully in Arsenal's favour for the remainder of the game, but United shocked the red half of north London once again as Matheus Cunha fired a brilliant effort past Raya from range to restore the visitors' lead.

That proved to be the deciding moment as United saw out the game to take a shock win from the Emirates. The Gunners fell victims to themselves once again as their sloppy approach saw them drop more points in the title race.

Here are the Arsenal player ratings from their defeat to Man United.

Arsenal 2-3 Man United player ratings

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya (GK) - 5.5/10 - Tricked by Mbeumo for the equaliser and got a hand to his effort. Nothing he could do about Dorgu's stunning strike. Positioning was questionable for Cunha's strike.

Jurrien Timber (RB) - 6.5/10 - Did well to pressure Martinez in front of the United goal, prompting a deflection for the opener. Switched to left back for the second-half.

William Saliba (CB) - 6.5/10 - Made a good run down the right flank, but got it wrong when presented the chance to play the ball across goal. Defending was okay, but could have done better at times.

Gabriel Magalhaes (CB) - 6.5/10 - Almost got across to block Mbeumo's effort, but couldn't get to it. Defended relatively well, but will be disappointed to have conceded three times.

Piero Hincapié (LB) - 6/10 - Made some runs down the left side and defended relatively well, but was taken off, likely to protect fitness, after an hour.

Midfielders

Martin Ødegaard (CM) - 6.5/10 - Saw his skewed effort deflect off Martinez and into the back of the net for the opening goal. Looked to offer something in attack, but was subbed off before the hour.

Martín Zubimendi (CM) - 5/10 - Rose well to meet Rice's cross, but was denied by a good save by Lammens. Played a sloppy back pass that Mbeumo pounced on to equalise for United. Could have done better to defend against Dorgu for United's second. Brought off in the second-half.

Declan Rice (CM) - 6/10 - Caused plenty of problems with his set piece deliveries. Looked great in the first-half, but couldn't replicate that in the second.

Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) - 6.5/10 - Did well to bring the ball down and control before playing it to Ødegaard, leading to the opener. His corner delivery caused problems for the United defence, ending in his side's second goal.

Gabriel Jesus (ST) - 6/10 - Led a counterattack in the first-half and looked to get involved when possible, but struggled and was eventually withdrawn with half-hour to play.

Leandro Trossard (LW) - 6/10 - Managed to cause a few problems early on, but his influence faded as the game went on. Taken off with 15 minutes to play.

Substitutes

• Mikel Merino (on 58' for Zubimendi) - 6.5/10
• Ben White (on 58' for Hincapié) - 6.5/10
• Viktor Gyökeres (on 58' for Jesus) - 6/10
• Eberechi Eze (on 58' for Ødegaard) - 6/10
• Noni Madueke (on 76' for Trossard) - 6.5/10

Player of the match: Patrick Dorgu