Erik ten Hag, and Mikel Arteta Reacts To Arsenal 3-1 Victory Over Man United.

Arsenal and Manchester United put on an entertaining encounter at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon which was the last game before the first international break comes on.

Both sides were hoping to get their seasons going after unconvincing starts.

Last weekend, the manager Mikel Arteta's men dropped points in a disappointing 2-2 draw with Fulham at the Emirates stadium, while Erik ten Hag’s team overturned a two-goal deficit to beat Nottingham Forest 3-2 at Old Trafford.

Arsenal have kept only one clean sheet in their last nine Premier League matches at home, while United’s away form has been poor with just three wins from their last 11 Premier League games on the road.

The Gunners gained the early momentum in the game and piled the pressure on the visitors, only for a quick counterattack to play Marcus Rashford in on goal in the 27th minute, as the tightly contested first half exploded into life.

The England international cut inside from the left wing and smoked a wonderful finish into the far side of the goal to give the visitors the lead. 

United barely had time to celebrate though before Arsenal swept down the left wing and the impressive Gabriel Martinelli pulled the ball into the middle of the box for Martin Odegaard to score the equaliser, with the highly intensed first half ending in a 1-1 draw. 

After the break former Chelsea man Kai Havertz thought he’d won a penalty when he was clipped into the box by Aaron Wan-Bissaka but referee Anthony Taylor overturned his initial decision on the field after being called to the VAR  monitor to reveiw it. 

United striker Anthony Martial, who was largely anonymous in the game, was replaced by debutant, Rasmus Hojlund in the 67th minute.

Another substitute Alejandro Garnacho thought he’d won the game two minutes before the end only for VAR to adjudge him offside, while while Hojlund saw his penalty claims waved off.

Many supporters of both teams had walked out of the Stadium, believing it was ending in a 1-1 draw as the clock ticked past 90 minutes, but the game saw a dramatic ending with the host coming out on top late on.

Eight minutes of stoppage time were announced as Declan Rice met a corner kick from Bukayo Saka, chested it down and beat goalKeeper Andre Onana, with a shot that deflected off the foot of substitute Jonny Evans.

It was his first goal for Arsenal following his £105m move from West Ham during the summer transfer window.

To cap off the sensational performance Gabriel Jesus who has just returned from injury, added a third to secure the vital three points for Arsenal. 

The Red Devils recorded their second loss in four fixtures at the Emirates.

Man United boss Erik ten Hag has blamed three refereeing decisions for his team’s defeat.

“The performance was alright from us. I thought we played a very good game but everything went against us - you don’t win the game... He told Sky Sports.

“We needed a little bit more luck to win the game. Garnacho’s goal was not offside - it was the wrong angle. It was then a penalty on Hojlund and then we conceded a goal that was a foul on Jonny Evans. It’s so clear and obvious.

“You can say you need to finish your chances and that you shouldn’t concede a goal after going 1-0 up. This is all true, but I was happy with the performance.”

Ten Hag also singled out Rasmus Hojlund praise following his debut appearance for the club.

“I think Hojlund played good, he had a very good impact on the game,” said the Dutchman.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta also speaking to Sky Sports

“We work and do everything for moments like this. This is sport at the top level; it is about the small margins. It could have gone either way.

“I am really happy obviously. They are a great team, really well coached and they make life difficult for you. When we gave the goal away that we did you are always up against it and in the Premier League that’s dangerous.”