ARSENAL claimed a second big win in four days to increase their chances of securing a place in the Premier League’s top four.
The Gunners defeated Manchester United 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday to climb to fourth place while all but ending United’s dreams.
The Gunners came into the game in confident mood after ending a run of three successive defeats with victory at Chelsea, while United were attempting to bounce back from a humiliating 4-0 loss at Liverpool.
Nuno Tavarez, Bukayo Saka and Granit Xhaka struck for Arsenal, with Cristiano Ronaldo reaching the 100-goal Premier League landmark with United’s only strike.
Arsenal took three points as the visitors paid the price for chaotic defending and a missed penalty by Bruno Fernandes that undermined a vibrant attacking display.
Tavares put Arsenal in front after only three minutes, capitalising on errors from Raphael Varane and Alex Telles. The left-back tapped home after David de Gea saved Saka’s shot.
Saka added the second from the penalty spot on 32 minutes after he was fouled by Telles.
United were a threatening in attack, and the returning Ronaldo pulled a goal back before the break, few days after losing his newborn son.
With his goal, Ronaldo became the only player to score 100 or more goals in each of LaLiga (311) Premier League and UEFA Champions League (140), as well as in international football (115 for Portugal).
He is also the fourth player to score 100 or more Premier League goals for Manchester United after Wayne Rooney (183), Ryan Giggs (109) and Paul Scholes (107).
United had a good attacking spell after Ronaldo’s goal, only for Fernandes to waste their big chance by carelessly rolling a second-half spot-kick against the post after Tavares handled.
Arsenal then wrapped up the points when Xhaka sealed the win by lashing home the Gunners’ third from 25 yards with 20 minutes remaining.
Manchester United have now lost four consecutive away league games for the first time since a run of six between December 1980 and March 1981, according to Opta statistics.
