NEW DELHI: Arsenal revived their hopes of clinching the Premier League title by overcoming their Old Trafford struggles with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Manchester United on Sunday, propelling them back to the top of the table.
Leandro Trossard's goal in the 20th minute proved decisive as Arsenal secured only their second win in 17 away games at United, reclaiming the league summit by a single point.
While Manchester City still control their fate in the title race with two matches remaining compared to Arsenal's one, Mikel Arteta's side kept the pressure on the defending champions ahead of their crucial clash with Tottenham Hotspur.
The defeat further compounded United's woes, diminishing their hopes of European competition next season.
Despite showing more resilience than in their previous match against Crystal Palace, where they suffered a 4-0 loss, Erik ten Hag's side have struggled for consistency, winning just one of their last eight Premier League games.
Arsenal's resurgence in 2024 has been remarkable, winning 15 and drawing one of their 17 league matches since the turn of the year. However, their victory at Old Trafford was far from convincing, as they battled stifling heat and a determined United side.
United's injury woes and defensive vulnerabilities were exposed once again, with Casemiro's error leading to Trossard's decisive goal. The absence of key players like Bruno Fernandes only added to their struggles.
Despite a spirited second-half display from United, Arsenal held firm defensively, securing their sixth clean sheet in their last seven away league games. United's late efforts, including Alejandro Garnacho's chance that hit the side-netting, were not enough to salvage a result.
Arsenal's determination to see out the game was evident in their defensive resolve and tactical discipline, denying United any clear-cut opportunities to equalize.
As the title race heads towards its conclusion, Arsenal's victory sets up an intriguing finale, with Manchester City still in control of their destiny. However, Arsenal's resurgence and defensive solidity suggest that the title race is far from over.
(With AFP inputs)
