Arsenal edge out Man Utd to keep pressure on Man City in title race

Arsenal regained top spot in the Premier League table courtesy of Leandro Trossard’s first-half winner in a 1-0 victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford that keeps alive their title hopes.

Mikel Arteta’s side produced a functional rather than an inspired display to move a point above Manchester City having played a game more than the defending champions after Trossard punished some slack United defending by tapping home Kai Havertz’s cutback on 20 minutes.

It was only Arsenal’s second league win at Old Trafford in the past 17 years, but the deserved victory again turns the focus on City, who visit Tottenham on Tuesday before hosting West Ham at the Etihad on the final day next Sunday.

Arsenal – who saw England winger Bukayo Saka forced off late on due to injury – have won 15 out of their past 17 matches in the Premier League, but need City to drop points to be in with a chance of winning the title.

The Gunners are chasing a first Premier Lesgue crown since 2004 and remain well in the hunt heading for their final-day meeting with Everton.

They have 86 points from 37 games with City on 85 points from 36 outings, as Pep Guardiola’s team bid to become the first side to win four straight titles in England.

United have slumped to 14 defeats in the Premier League this season, their worst series of losses in 46 years and this performance explains why.

Coming off the back of the 4-0 defeat at Crystal Palace on Monday evening, Erik ten Hag’s side were again their own worst enemies in helping settle the match in Arsenal’s favour.

Casemiro – again operating as a stand-in centre-half – could not get out quickly enough as Arsenal launched a hopeful attack with Ben White’s chipped ball over the top finding Havertz to square for Trossard to convert.

It was a dreadful goal for an injury-hit United to concede, but one in keeping with a pretty lamentable season that sees them occupy eighth spot in the table and struggling to qualify for Europe.

They may well need to topple Manchester City in the FA Cup final to qualify for continental competition, which looks a big ask going by their patchy form.

The Arsenal central defender just exudes confidence and class and his partnership with Gabriel was key to helping Arsenal see out the second half without too much fuss against a home side that did plenty of huffing and puffing, yet could only muster two shots on target in a fairly routine outing for Mikel Arteta’s side, who should probably have scored a few more.

Manchester United: Onana 8, Dalot 7, Casemiro 5, Evans 6, Wan-Bissaka 6, Amrabat 6, McTominay 6, Mainoo 6, Amad 7, Hojlund 6, Garnacho 7. Subs: Kambwala 6, Eriksen 6, Forson 6, Antony 6, Wheatley 6

Arsenal: Raya 7, White 7, Saliba 8, Gabriel 8, Tomiyasu 7, Odegaard 7, Partey 7, Rice 7, Saka 7, Havertz 7, Trossard 8. Subs: Kiwior 6, Jorginho 6, Martinelli 7, Jesus 6

20′ GOAL! MAN UNITED 0-1 ARSENAL (TROSSARD) Casemiro plays on Arsenal as Havertz dashes to the byline before crossing for Trossard to tap the ball home. All too easy for the visitors, who lead 1-0. United all over the show.

66′ ONANA ON POINT FOR UNITED The home goalkeeper diving low to his right to collect the shot by Martin Odegaard after some intelligent link-up work by Havertz. Who else you might ask. Still 1-0 to the Gunners.

83′ SAKA IS INJURED AND LOOKS SET TO COME OFF Gunners down to 10 men momentarlly as Martinelli comes up with a brilliant piece of forward play to earn his side a corner. Saka clashes with McTominay. Sore one on the knee and is replaced by Gabriel Jesus.

85′ RICE WITH A SWERVING EFFORT AT GOAL Got plenty of power on the finish from distance, but Onana does well to fist the ball away with his left paw as he dived to his left. Still a 1-0 lead for Arsenal.

81′ MARTINELLI WITH A STUNNING RUN AND HIT Superb save by Onana to tip the shot over the bar. Exceptional piece of goalkeeping as Martinelli looked to ease the Arsenal nerves. That second goal would relieve the tension.