Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard capitalised on dreadful Manchester United defending to safe a 1-0 win on Sunday that noticed his aspect provisionally overtake Manchester Metropolis atop the Premier League and assured the title race will go right down to the ultimate day.
Whereas Arsenal, who gained for simply the second time at Outdated Trafford of their previous 17 visits, have 86 factors with one recreation left within the tightest title race in years, holders Metropolis stay within the driving seat with 85 factors and two matches to play.
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Metropolis, who’re aiming for an unprecedented fourth consecutive English top-flight title, can retake the lead once they play at Arsenal’s London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday.
“I’m going to be the largest fan of Tottenham ever,” Arsenal’s Kai Havertz advised Sky Sports activities. “Let’s hope for the most effective.
“We did not have our greatest recreation however we would have liked the three factors and we now have it now, so we will be blissful. We’ve got to win each single recreation as Metropolis are all the time protecting the stress on,” he added. “It’s so good to be within the race and each week it’s a must to play at your greatest. While you do it, it feels even higher.”
Trossard scored within the twentieth minute when Havertz sauntered, barely challenged, into house on the precise earlier than sending the ball into the field for Trossard to tuck dwelling.
Heads turned to test for an offside flag however Casemiro — just lately moved from midfield into United’s injury-depleted again line — had slowly moved out from the field and stored Havertz onside after goalkeeper André Onana launched the ball upfield.
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United supervisor Erik ten Hag was left shaking his head in frustration.
“Clearly, we solely have one goal, to win the league,” Trossard advised Sky. “We’ve got performed our job immediately and it will likely be as much as the final recreation and that’s what we’re aiming for.”
The sport swung from finish to finish over a closing tense jiffy, with Onana leaping to push away photographs from Arsenal substitute Gabriel Martinelli and Declan Rice.
United, who have been hoping to bounce again after a woeful 4-0 loss at Crystal Palace on Monday, are eighth with two video games left. They path sixth-placed Newcastle by three factors of their quest for a European berth subsequent season, establishing a key showdown when the Magpies go to Outdated Trafford on Wednesday.
Ten Hag mentioned it might be “very damaging” to overlook Europe.
“That’s the state of affairs we’re in, however nonetheless we are able to get there,” he advised reporters. “We’ve got to take the accountability, we now have to battle for it, and everybody is aware of this.”
Trossard’s aim was the 82nd Ten Hag’s crew has conceded this season in all competitions — their most in a single marketing campaign since 1970-71.
United loved loads of the ball within the closing third and had 14 photographs to Arsenal’s 11, however struggled to create many high quality possibilities.
Alejandro Garnacho was United’s greatest risk, significantly within the second half. He launched one shot extensive and despatched one other into the aspect netting earlier than hanging his head in frustration.
The visiting followers, whose singing didn’t let up all night, erupted on the closing whistle after a recreation that was tighter than predicted. Not even the torrential downpour might dampen their celebration after the job performed by Mikel Arteta’s crew.
“We would have liked a end result immediately in a extremely tough place,” Arteta mentioned. “Our historical past was not in favour of a end result immediately, there was a lot at stake and we’re proud of the end result.”
Arsenal claimed their 18th clear sheet within the league this season, whereas Sunday’s victory was their twenty seventh within the league this season — a mark topped solely in 1970-71 (29 wins) and 1930-31 (28).
United have misplaced 19 video games in all competitions this season, their most since 1978-79 (additionally 19).
Arsenal host Everton of their season finale, whereas Metropolis are at dwelling to West Ham.