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Leandro Trossard’s goal enough to secure vital 1-0 victory at Old Trafford
Arsenal regained top spot from Manchester City heading into the final week of the Premier League season with a 1-0 win at Manchester United on Sunday.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 12: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates victory with teammates after defeating Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal FC at Old Trafford on May 12, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Leandro Trossard scored the decisive goal at Old Trafford with 20 minutes on the clock as Kai Havertz profited from an intercepted Andre Onana pass to tee up the Belgian’s simple finish.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 12: Martin Odegaard, Gabriel and Jorginho of Arsenal celebrate victory as they walk towards their fans after defeating Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal FC at Old Trafford on May 12, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
The Gunners move one point clear of City, who thrashed Fulham 4-0 on Saturday and still have a game in hand at Arsenal’s fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday, meaning the title remains in the hands of Pep Guardiola‘s side.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 12: Andre Onana of Manchester United in action with Gabriel of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal FC at Old Trafford on May 12, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
City then host West Ham United on the final day, while Arsenal are at home to Everton.
United, beaten 4-0 by Crystal Palace on Monday and now with just one win in their last eight in the competition, stay eighth in the table and are three points off Chelsea and Newcastle United directly above them with one match to go.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 12: Scott McTominay of Manchester United in action during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal FC at Old Trafford on May 12, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Onana’s pass was cut out on the halfway line and played to Havertz, who was kept onside by Casemiro failing to get up the pitch, and the German squared for Trossard to convert from point-blank range.
The Gunners, who failed to win on the two other previous occasions they had led at half-time at Old Trafford, were happy to sit back after the restart and welcome United onto them.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 12: Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Amad Diallo of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal FC at Old Trafford on May 12, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 12: Leandro Trossard of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Kai Havertz during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal FC at Old Trafford on May 12, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Casemiro was invited to shoot from distance and did just that, forcing a save from David Raya, who then denied Antony‘s poor attempt from a similar position.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 12: Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Amad Diallo of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal FC at Old Trafford on May 12, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
But there was to be no way through for United, who had Onana to thank for late saves to deny Gabriel Martinelli and Declan Rice, as the visitors completed a league double in this fixture for the first time since 2006/07.
United continue to concede
Trossard’s goal, which came despite United having four players back in a position to intercept Havertz’s pass, makes it 82 goals conceded for the Red Devils across all competitions this season – the most they have shipped in a single season since 1970/71 (also 82).
Erik ten Hag‘s men were ultimately unable to hit back and have therefore now suffered 19 losses across all competitions this term, which is their most since 1977/78 (also 19).
Soccer Football – Premier League – Manchester United v Arsenal – Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain – May 12, 2024 Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard celebrates scoring their first goal with Kai Havertz REUTERS/Carl Recine EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR ‘LIVE’ SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE FOR FURTHER DETAIL
This is also just the third time in Premier League history they have lost at home to three sides from the capital in a single season, having previously fallen to Crystal Palace and Fulham.
Havertz and Trossard stepping up
Trossard has more than played his part in Arsenal’s title pursuit, with this his 12th league goal of the season. Three of his last four have put the Gunners 1-0 up, showing just how important he has been.
That crucial breakthrough goal was assisted by Havertz, who has scored and assisted a combined 14 goals in the Premier League since the start of 2024 – already surpassing his previous highest tally in a single year in the competition with Chelsea in 2022 (13).
Indeed, only Chelsea’s Cole Palmer with 19 can boast more direct goal involvements than the German international this calendar year among all Premier League players.
Key facts
Man Utd have lost 19 matches in all competitions this season, their most since 1977/78 (also 19), while their nine defeats at Old Trafford this term is their joint-most at home in a season, along with 1920/21, 1930/31, 1933/34, 1962/63 and 1973/74.
United have conceded in 10 successive games in all competitions for the first time since October 2021, while the 82 goals they’ve conceded this season is their most since 1970/71 (also 82).
Arsenal now have more wins (27) than the Invincibles got in 2003/04 (26). They have only won more top flight league matches in 1970/71 (29) and 1930/31 (28).
Arsenal have kept a clean sheet in seven of their last eight Premier League away matches, while only Chelsea in 2008/09 (12) have kept more away from home in a single season in the competition on the road than their 11 this season.