May 12, (THEWILL)- Arsenal kept their English Premier League title hopes firmly alive with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday. Leandro Trossard’s first-half strike proved the difference as the Gunners reclaimed top spot, moving one point clear of Manchester City, who have a game in hand.
The match lacked the usual intensity of a clash between these English rivals, with United’s focus primarily on securing a top-four finish. Nevertheless, Erik ten Hag’s side started brightly, with Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho going close. Arsenal, however, took control after Trossard’s 21st-minute opener, with Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu both testing Andre Onana.
Despite United’s spirited response after the break, with Garnacho causing problems, Arsenal remained resolute at the back. Mikel Arteta’s men should have doubled their lead, but Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot produced crucial blocks to deny Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka respectively.
The visitors continued to threaten, with substitute Gabriel Martinelli and Rice forcing saves from Onana late on. Ultimately, Trossard’s early goal was enough to secure a fifth successive EPL win for the Gunners and heap pressure on City in the title race.
United, meanwhile, remain eighth, their lowest position at this stage of an EPL season. With just one win in eight, their hopes and chances of UCL qualification are fading fast.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
