Arsenal’s defensive streak ends as Manchester United win 3 - 2 at the Emirates and tighten the title race

Manchester United shocked Premier League leaders Arsenal 3–2 on 25 January, cutting the Gunners’ lead at the top to four points and ending a 121-match run across all competitions in which Arsenal had not conceded more than two goals in a game.

Arsenal opened the scoring in the 29th minute via a Lisandro Martínez own goal, but United struck back before half-time when Bryan Mbeumo punished a Martin Zubimendi error to make it 1–1. The turnaround was completed early in the second half as Patrick Dorgu’s strike went in off the woodwork, before substitute Mikel Merino appeared to have rescued a point for Arsenal.

United still had the final word: Matheus Cunha curled home a long-range winner in the 87th minute, scoring again just 2 minutes 58 seconds after Merino’s equaliser. The victory lifted United into fourth place, while Arsenal stayed top on 50 points from 23 matches but now sit only four points ahead of Manchester City and Aston Villa.

A key milestone also fell on the defensive side: Arsenal conceded three or more goals for the first time since December 2023 (v Luton Town), ending a run of 121 matches without allowing more than two in any game. Arsenal’s domestic wobble also continued, with the league winless run now at three matches after goalless draws against Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.

The result puts real pressure back into the title race: with City and Villa within four points and Arsenal dropping points in three straight league games, the Gunners’ next fixtures become less about maintaining the lead and more about stabilising momentum.