Arsenal used their prowess at set-pieces to record a fourth consecutive win in all competitions on Wednesday (Dec 4), while simultaneously handing Ruben Amorim his first defeat as Manchester United head coach. The Gunners largely dominated the contest played in the rain at the Emirates Stadium, but it took a headed goal from Jurrien Timber at a corner to finally get them ahead early in the second half. Another corner routine also delivered the second killer for William Saliba, while Arsenal also missed two other great chances from similar set-pieces.
Arsenal scored twice from corners to comfortably beat Manchester United as Ruben Amorim suffered his first defeat in English football.
Defenders Jurrien Timber and William Saliba did the damage as Arsenal took advantage of Liverpool dropping points to trim their lead at the top of the Premier League table.
Arsenal sit third with 28 points, level on that mark with Chelsea and seven behind Arne Slot's The Reds.
The home side took the lead in the 54th minute when Declan Rice's corner was headed in at the near post by full-back Timber. The Gunners then almost doubled their lead when United's Manuel Ugarte had to clear off the line after team-mate Joshua Zirkzee flicked on another Rice corner.
Saliba made sure of the win when Thomas Partey headed Bukayo Saka's corner against the French defender's back and the ball went past Andre Onana in the United goal.
Arsenal have become a force to be reckoned with from set-pieces under manager Mikel Arteta. Timber and Saliba's goals means they have scored 22 goals from corners since the start of last season, more than any other Premier League side.
Amorim's United did threaten the Arsenal goal when Diogo Dalot flashed a shot past David Raya's post in the first half, and the Arsenal keeper made an excellent save to deny Matthijs de Ligt in the second half.
Substitute Mikel Merino headed wide from another excellent Arsenal set-piece and Kai Havertz had an effort saved by Onana as the Gunners dominated the closing period of the match.
It meant that Amorim, who warned that a "storm will come" for United before this game, saw his three-game unbeaten start come to an end in north London.
