Arsenal grind out rare win at Man United to go top of English Premier League
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Leandro Trossard of Arsenal celebrates scoring the 0-1 goal with his teammtae Kai Havertz (left) who assisted the goal.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
MANCHESTER – Arsenal are exactly where they want to be with one game remaining in front of their fans at the Emirates Stadium and the possibility of claiming a first English Premier League trophy in 20 years, manager Mikel Arteta said on May 12.
Leandro Trossard scored in the 20th minute to secure a 1-0 victory at Manchester United on May 12 that saw Arteta’s side provisionally overtake Manchester City atop the Premier League, ensuring the title race will be decided on the final day.
Arsenal have 86 points with one game left of the tightest title race in years. While City remain in the driving seat with 85 points and two matches left, Arteta said Arsenal’s last game against Everton will be a moment to cherish. The Toffees are 15th in the table, but undefeated in six of their last seven games.
“Today, we wanted to open that box of dreams to live the last day of the season in front of our people with the opportunity to win the Premier League,” he said.
“That’s something we’re going to live together and I’m so pleased we’re going to do it with these players and staff.”
City, who are aiming for an unprecedented fourth consecutive English top-flight title, can retake the lead if they beat Arsenal’s London rivals Tottenham Hotspur away on May 14.
History did not favour Arsenal on May 12, as they had won on just one of their previous 16 trips to Old Trafford in the league.
“Today we had to play in a really special place that our history was not very optimistic about what could happen, but we found a way to win it. That says a lot about how much the team wants it,” Arteta said.
A draw could have set City up to clinch the title with a victory on Tuesday and the high stakes made for some nervy moments for Arteta and his men.
“Because at the end, you know what the consequences are to draw. When you are there and you really want it ... (but) I felt the team in a really good headspace before the game,” the Spaniard said.
Arsenal’s victory was a club-record 27th this season in the Premier League. They topped that mark twice in the old top flight back in 1970-71 (29 wins) and 1930-31 (28).
“That’s not progress, that’s history,” a proud Arteta said. “That’s very difficult to do, especially in the league where we are playing now.
“Big compliment to all the players and staff for what they’ve done.”
Asked if fifth-placed Tottenham could secure any points against City, Arteta said: “My experience in this league is that any team can beat any team.
“I lived it, various scenarios in the last day when a lot of teams have necessities. The margin of respect that everybody puts in the games is phenomenal. We know we need a (good) result. We need to do our own thing still in the last game.”
Life is far from rosy in the red half of Manchester as injury-hit United have now lost 19 games in all competitions, their most since 1978-79, while the loss to the Gunners was their ninth at Old Trafford this term, their joint-most at home in a season.
“It’s like trying to swim with your hands tied behind your back,” said Erik ten Hag of United’s injury crisis. “You see the fans are behind us.
“They fought with us. Today we gave them (something) back, but that should be the standard in every game.
“You see even when we miss seven starting players, we are competitive with one of the best teams in the league.”
With European football for next season slipping from their grasp, former United captain Wayne Rooney was concerned about ten Hag’s future.
“When you’re losing games in the way they’re losing games, there’s going to be big questions asked,” Rooney told Sky Sports.
“The players have to look at themselves, when you’ve got a manager talking about attitudes and players not being right to play for Manchester United, that’s a massive insult...
“Some players are just trying to get to the end of the season. So I feel for him, but that’s his job to make sure the players are right.
“I would personally hope they do give him time, there are a lot of problems with recruitment, it hasn’t been good for a few years.
“I hope he gets time to do it right. But we saw it in 2016 when Louis van Gaal lost his job (after winning the FA Cup), so you never know.” AFP
