Arsenal vs. Manchester United score: Granit Xhaka thunderbolt fires Gunners into Premier League top four

Arsenal emerged 3-1 victors in a chaotic clash at the Emirates Stadium

LONDON -- Granit Xhaka fired Arsenal into the Premier League's top four as Arsenal emerged 3-1 victors in a pulsating, dramatic and error-strewn clash with Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium.

Their stay may be a short one. Tottenham face Brentford later on Saturday, but Arsenal remain firmly in the mix after a week in which they beat Chelsea and Manchester United in two chaotic encounters. Even in comparison to Wednesday's six goal thriller, this was a baffling game in which both sides conceded clumsy penalties, United's missed by Fernandes, and offered their opponents a host of opportunities. Perhaps that should not have been a surprise conceding how these teams performed last time out.

Arsenal fans had thought it fair to assume that United could not possibly turn in a display of defensive deficiency to compare with their error-strewn loss to Liverpool, that there simply must be some sort of reaction at the back. It took just three minutes for them to be disabused of that particular notion.

Granit Xhaka's cross into the box flew into the corridor of uncertainty between defense and goalkeeper, but there was no excuse for United defenders Raphael Varane and Alex Telles to both connect with fresh air. Bukayo Saka's initial shot might have been saved, but Nuno Tavares was on hand to convert the rebound.

When they had the ball in the final third, Arsenal looked like they could United apart at will. With Jadon Sancho station high up the pitch, Telles found himself on an island attempting to defend Saka and Martin Odegaard, who could continually drift into the right half space without being tracked. Those two combined to tee up an offside Nketiah to slot home the second but VAR quickly established that Telles had barged into Saka, who would go on to score his second penalty of the week.

One might have thought it would be plain sailing from there, but Arsenal never looked entirely comfortable under the press of a United front four who seemed to have finally got Ralf Rangnick's message about the value of winning the ball in the final third. If Telles was a liability for United, it was nothing compared to Nuno at the other end. In attack there were moments when you could believe the youngster would win the game for Arsenal. On the other end, he seemed destined to cost his team.

He was certainly not the chief culprit for the goal that halved United's deficit just after Saka's penalty. Odegaard could have been quicker to close down Nemanja Matic's cross, while Gabriel and Aaron Ramsdale both seemed to expect the other to come for it. Ronaldo profited with his 100th Premier League goal.

Into the second half momentum seemed to be irresistibly on United's side, the Arsenal backline terrified by the sight of Ronaldo and Sancho engaging pressing mode. For all the pressure, it was baffling that Nuno opted to compete for a corner in Superman pose, his right arm stretched out to meet the ball as it ricocheted around.

Fernandes baited the goalkeeper into diving from the resulting penalty but could only roll the ball against the post, Ramsdale springing to his feet to punch the air just in front of the crestfallen United captain for the day. Arsenal did not learn their lesson, however, and Ben White was fortunate to not have been caught playing Ronaldo onside when he volleyed into the net.

Then from nowhere Xhaka, so often the Emirates' lightning rod in the worst moments, saved Arsenal. He never needs a second invitation when space opens up for him 30 yards out, he delivered a pulverizing low drive that De Gea could never have got near to. Suddenly this match of high drama was brought to an abrupt end at just the right time for Arsenal. 

Their bid for Champions League football is well and truly alive once more. United's may well be over.

[Apr 23, 2022 at 9:24 am ET · James Benge]

FT -- Arsenal go fourth

What a mad game that was. The Gunners are into fourth, for now at least.

[Apr 23, 2022 at 9:14 am ET · James Benge]

A moment's peace at last

And breathe. It seems like United fear this game has gone, the introduction of Rashford and Lingard not adding too much to the attack as Arsenal hunker down. We've got six minutes plus added time left. As it stands Arsenal are bound for fourth.

[Apr 23, 2022 at 9:11 am ET · James Benge]

WATCH: Xhaka's thunderbolt

[Apr 23, 2022 at 9:03 am ET · James Benge]

GOAL -- Xhaka out of nowhere

Talk about against the run of play. Arsenal get up the pitch for the first time in about 10 minutes and space opens up for Xhaka. He thunders it through the bodies and into the bottom corner.

[Apr 23, 2022 at 9:01 am ET · James Benge]

Tavares is struggling

It's hard for the Emirates to watch as Tavares labours his way around the pitch. He picks up a yellow for a foul on Elanga, surely it is only a matter of time before we see him make way. Any time United attack him they get joy.

[Apr 23, 2022 at 8:54 am ET · James Benge]

Ramsdale saves

Arsenal are at sea, their defense ripped apart yet again as Ronaldo drifts to the right. Nuno is drawn to him and can do nothing as Dalot darts beyond, into the box. A cracking drive smacks against the post, I think Ramsdale might have got a touch on it.

[Apr 23, 2022 at 8:50 am ET · James Benge]

Ronaldo puts it in the net

But from an offside position. This game is absolutely mad! VAR checks and the linesman is just about proven right.

[Apr 23, 2022 at 8:47 am ET · James Benge]

Off the post

Fernandes sends Ramsdale to his feet and rolls the ball in the other direction... against the post. Arsenal survive.

[Apr 23, 2022 at 8:46 am ET · James Benge]

Penalty to United

A handball is called on Nuno, who is jumping with his hand high in the air. It's going to VAR but I can't see this being overturned. It isn't.

[Apr 23, 2022 at 8:42 am ET · James Benge]

Tavares: chaos agent

I'm not sure anyone on the pitch knows what Nuno Tavares is going to do. I include Nuno Tavares among them. Arsenal spread the play out to him on the left and he is delicacy personified as he cuts infield past Dalot. He has options available to him but absolutely leathers the ball high and wide, wasting a prime attacking position.

[Apr 23, 2022 at 8:36 am ET · James Benge]

Away we go again

Tomiyasu had been warming up at half time but he won't be coming on just yet as both teams make their way back out. No changes for either side.

[Apr 23, 2022 at 8:21 am ET · James Benge]

HT: Error strewn and unmissable

What a thrilling half of football that was as both sides plumbed defensive depths that would have Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson seething from afar. Arsenal have probably created more chances but they seem to freeze when they find themselves pressed with Ronaldo, Sancho and Fernandes. When United get the ball back high up the pitch they look deadly but if you can beat that initial line they look a danger to themselves.

[Apr 23, 2022 at 8:16 am ET · James Benge]

WATCH: Saka sends Arsenal two up

[Apr 23, 2022 at 8:15 am ET · James Benge]

Five minutes added time

I think that's a useful summation of how chaotic this first half has been.

[Apr 23, 2022 at 8:10 am ET · James Benge]

Arsenal go close

Arsenal play the ball around the right corner but with a fair bit of nerves, Ronaldo's appearance in his own defensive third baffling the home team. Ultimately Elneny takes what looks like a hurried shot but it's one De Gea does well to parry out for a corner. That is headed up in the air to Saka, who sees two shots blocked by the mass of bodies.

[Apr 23, 2022 at 8:04 am ET · James Benge]

GOAL -- Ronaldo brings this contest back to life

A 100th Premier League goal for Ronaldo, who just bullies his way past Gabriel and Nuno to clip the ball into the net. As basic a goal to give away as you could wish for.

[Apr 23, 2022 at 8:02 am ET · James Benge]

GOAL -- Arsenal lead 2-0

A second spot kick this week for Saka and it's convincingly struck. The Gunners are in command.

[Apr 23, 2022 at 8:00 am ET · James Benge]

Penalty

The foul by Telles was clear as day. Saka has the ball in his hands.

[Apr 23, 2022 at 7:59 am ET · James Benge]

Now he puts it in the net

Arsenal cut through United using Odegaard again. He slips in Saka, who goes down under a challenge by Telles. That only serves to tee up Nketiah to roll the ball in. It looks like it will be give offside but now they're checking for a penalty.

[Apr 23, 2022 at 7:56 am ET · James Benge]

Nketiah goes close

That's better from the hosts, Elneny striking a forward pass to Odegaard, who has the space and time to turn and slip through Nketiah, onside because Dalot has switched off. Instinctively he gives the ball a whack but it's too close to De Gea, who pushes the ball to safety.

[Apr 23, 2022 at 7:54 am ET · James Benge]

Off the bar!

Cedric loses possession on the right and United work it through Ronaldo and Fernandes to Dalot, who lets fly with a shot that dips late on and cannons back off Ramsdale's bar. It's all the visitors at the moment.

[Apr 23, 2022 at 7:51 am ET · James Benge]

Ronaldo's first effort

Some better build up play from United down the right, where Ronaldo gives and goes with Dalot. When the ball comes back to him he is only going to do one thing, his powerful drive fizzing over the top to ironic cheers from the home fans. After they applauded him when the clocks struck seven normal service has been resumed.

[Apr 23, 2022 at 7:48 am ET · James Benge]

VAR check

United are getting a lot of joy through Elanga in behind Nuno and for the second time in this game he charges through down the right, getting a shot away from too close a position to test Ramsdale. However Craig Pawson signals for a delay in play, Nuno had his arm around the United forward as he fell to the floor. Replays suggest it's not the sort you'd overturn in either direction. But the pressure in on the hosts right now.

[Apr 23, 2022 at 7:41 am ET · James Benge]

Saka needs treatment

A collision down the right has Saka getting seen to by the Arsenal physios, giving Arteta a chance for an ad hoc team talk with his side, who have looked a little skittish since that opener. A deflected Fernandes shot hands the visitors another corner but once more McTominay's head at the back post can't direct it towards goal. Saka, meanwhile, looks clear to continue.

[Apr 23, 2022 at 7:37 am ET · James Benge]

Worrying moments for Arsenal

The hosts press a little too high up and Gabriel can't cut out a through ball. Elanga's shot is too close to Ramsdale, who parries as Arsenal concede a corner. McTominay gets to that ahead of Nuno and Smith Rowe but his header down into the ground is wide.

[Apr 23, 2022 at 7:35 am ET · James Benge]

GOAL -- Another United disasterclass

Catastrophic defending from United, Xhaka pinging in a cross from the left that both Varane and Telles contrive to miss. Saka gets it and his curling shot is parried by De Gea, who must be getting that familiar sinking feeling. Nuno is on hand to pounce on the rebound. Arsenal lead.

[Apr 23, 2022 at 7:31 am ET · James Benge]

Kick off

We're up and running and almost immediately Saka wins a free kick just inside the United half. There's quite the racket in the stadium from the outset whilst Ronaldo's first touch is greeted by boos.

[Apr 23, 2022 at 7:25 am ET · James Benge]

The teams are on their way out

A tifo of Saka and Smith Rowe is held high in the Clock End, below it a banner bearing the phrase "The Arsenal, today, tomorrow, forever."

[Apr 23, 2022 at 7:18 am ET · James Benge]

Warm ups done

It really struck me how light in intensity and match relevance United's was compared to their opponents. Where Arsenal forwards were working on shooting drills that saw them give and go, a coach teeing them up to shoot, Fernandes and Ronaldo were stood over the ball for a good 30 seconds before striking it. Arsenal's defense isn't perfect but I don't think there will be many occasions in open play where they have all that time. Maybe it's just free kick practice only but it did not feel like the visitors were busting a gut.

[Apr 23, 2022 at 7:09 am ET · James Benge]

One last job for Arsenal old hands

Having looked like they were slipping out of the top four race, a shock victory at Stamford Bridge has revived faltering hopes. Eddie Nketiah and Mohamed Elneny emerged from the peripheries of the squad to play crucial roles in an impressive win. Both players may well be playing their final few games at the Gunners with their contracts expiring at the end of the season, the same is also true of Alexandre Lacazette, who should be able to play a more sizeable role after struggling with COVID-19.