Rice Fires Arsenal To Important Victory Against Man Utd
Declan Rice

Arsenal midfielder, Declan Rice grabbed his first goal for the London side and Gabriel Jesus added the icing on the cake as Arsenal came from behind to smash Manchester United 3-1 at the Emirates on Sunday evening.

Marcus Rashford gave the visitors the lead, In the first half, against the flow of play, but Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard quickly equalised.

After a VAR review, the Gunners had a penalty award overturned, and United was denied what may have been a late winner when replacement Alejandro Garnacho was adjudged to be offside.

In the eight minutes of extra time, the home team continued to exert pressure, and they were rewarded when Rice controlled a corner and, with Jonny Evans’ deflection, blasted past Andre Onana.

There was still time for another goal as substitute Jesus burst forward, teasing Onana before putting the ball in the net.

Africa Today News, New York reports that the result leaves Arsenal fifth in the table after their third win in four games, two points behind leaders Manchester City, while United are 11th in the table.

Earlier, Arsenal shot out of the blocks, pinning United back in the warm September sunshine.

The home side should have taken the lead in the 13th minute but new signing Kai Havertz miskicked horrendously from inside the area with the goal at his mercy.

Arsenal continued to dominate, pressing high and forcing United into awkward situations at the back.

The game exploded into life shortly before the half-hour mark when United took the lead against the run of play after a speedy counter-attack.

Christian Eriksen picked up a loose ball in midfield and burst forward, producing a perfectly weighted pass for Rashford, running down the left-hand channel.

The England forward, largely anonymous in the early stages, cut inside and past two defenders before unleashing a shot past the despairing dive of Aaron Ramsdale.

But the Gunners were level just a minute later when Odegaard, unmarked in the area, blasted home from just inside the box after being found by the impressive Gabriel Martinelli.

But for all the home side’s enterprising play, they mustered just one shot on target in the first half.

Arsenal were the quicker to settle after the break and were awarded a penalty just before the hour mark when Havertz tumbled in the box after being sandwiched between Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Casemiro but referee Anthony Taylor overturned his decision following a VAR check.

United boss Erik ten Hag gave new signing Rasmus Hojlund his first action in a United shirt, bringing on the Denmark forward for Martial in the 67th minute, also introducing former captain Harry Maguire for Lisandro Martinez.

Martinelli curled a shot just wide as Arsenal continued to look the more likely winners, but United looked dangerous on the break.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta made three changes, including bringing on Jesus for the lively Nketiah.

Garnacho appeared to have won the game for United in the 88th minute but VAR ruled he was marginally off-side.

United lost all six matches away to other members of the top seven last season, conceding 3.66 goals per away match on average and Sunday’s result spells more away-day misery.

Africa Today News, New York

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