Key Points
- Arsenal suffered a 3-2 home defeat to Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium, their first home loss of the season in all competitions.
- Manchester United’s goals came from Bryan Mbeumo (37′), Patrick Dorgu (50′), and Matheus Cunha (87′), securing their first Premier League win at Arsenal since 2017.
- Arsenal’s goals: own goal by Lisandro Martinez (29′) and Mikel Merino (late).
- The result leaves Arsenal on 50 points from 23 games, four points ahead of Manchester City and Aston Villa (both 46 points); United rise to fourth with 38 points.
- City beat Wolverhampton Wanderers prior; Villa won 2-0 at Newcastle United with goals from Emiliano Buendia (19′) and Ollie Watkins (88′).
- Chelsea won 3-1 at Crystal Palace (goals: Estevao, Joao Pedro, Enzo Fernandez; Chris Richards consolation; Adam Wharton sent off).
- Nottingham Forest beat Brentford 2-0 (Igor Jesus, Taiwo Awoniyi), moving five points clear of relegation zone, level with 16th-placed Leeds United.
- Arsenal now three league games without a win, following two 0-0 draws, heightening title race anxiety as they chase first title since 2004.
- Mikel Arteta praised United’s brilliance but noted Arsenal’s uncharacteristic error and subpar performance.
North London, Emirates Stadium (North London News) January 25, 2026 – Arsenal’s Premier League title aspirations suffered a significant setback with a dramatic 3-2 home defeat to an inspired Manchester United side on Sunday afternoon. Stunning second-half strikes from Patrick Dorgu and substitute Matheus Cunha turned the game in United’s favour, marking their first league victory at the Emirates since 2017 and loosening Arsenal’s grip on top spot. Instead of extending their lead to seven points, Mikel Arteta’s men now sit just four points clear of Manchester City and Aston Villa after 23 games, with three matches unbeaten in the league coming to a painful end.
What Happened in the Arsenal vs Manchester United Thriller?
Arsenal appeared in control when Lisandro Martinez inadvertently put through his own net after 29 minutes, turning a Martin Odegaard effort past his own keeper. However, as reported by Al Jazeera’s live coverage, a “terrible mistake” by Martin Zubimendi in the 37th minute gifted United an equaliser, with Bryan Mbeumo intercepting the loose pass, rounding David Raya, and slotting home.
United’s resurgence continued early in the second half. Patrick Dorgu rifled a volley off the crossbar and in after combining with Bruno Fernandes in the 50th minute, as detailed in Times of Oman’s match report. Arsenal pushed back, with substitute Mikel Merino prodding level from a Bukayo Saka corner late on, but joy was short-lived. Cunha then advanced before curling a right-foot shot from 25 yards past Raya in the 87th minute, sparking wild celebrations among visiting fans.
As per Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett, there were boos from some home supporters at full-time, underscoring the frustration in north London. Interim United manager Michael Carrick, who has now won two from two since taking charge, saw his side climb to fourth with 38 points.
Why Are Arsenal’s Title Jitters Surfacing Now?
Arsenal entered the match chasing their first Premier League crown since 2004 and could have built a commanding lead after recent stumbles by chasers. Yet, following consecutive 0-0 draws, Sunday’s loss—coupled with City’s win over Wolves and Villa’s at Newcastle—has heightened anxiety levels.
“You have to give credit to Manchester United. We gave them a goal which is unusual and painful, then two brilliant moments with incredible goals. We were not at our best and paid the price,”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said post-match, as quoted in NBC Sports analysis. Arteta’s side made a quadruple substitution before the hour but floundered until Merino’s leveller, only for Cunha to silence the Emirates.
ESPN’s coverage noted a “strange atmosphere” inside the stadium, with errors from players like Zubimendi and an unsettled William Saliba contributing to the downfall. Arsenal remain top with 50 points from 23 games (15 wins, 5 draws, 3 losses; 42 goals for, 17 against), but the margin is now precarious.
How Did Aston Villa Bounce Back Against Newcastle?
One point from their last two league games had stalled Aston Villa’s momentum, but they returned to form with a 2-0 win at Newcastle, their first there since 2005. Emiliano Buendia opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a dipping, curling shot past Nick Pope, as described in Sky Sports’ match report.
Newcastle pressed for an equaliser but lacked clear chances, thwarted by Emiliano Martinez’s saves in the second half. Ollie Watkins sealed the points in the 88th minute, ghosting in at the far post to head home Lucas Digne’s cross.
“It’s a tough schedule for us but it is what we want to do, play in European competitions and fight for these places in the Premier League so we have to adapt, fight and play and recover and go again,”
The Telegraph’s Jason Burt highlighted Villa’s superior tactics and clinical finishing from Buendia, Morgan Rogers, and Watkins, matching City on 46 points and positioning them as title contenders under Unai Emery.
What Boosted Chelsea to Fifth Place?
Chelsea climbed to fifth with 37 points after a 3-1 victory at Crystal Palace, sealed by goals from Estevao, Joao Pedro, and Enzo Fernandez. Estevao capitalised on a Jaydee Canvot error to fire past Dean Henderson in the 34th minute for his first Premier League goal.
Joao Pedro doubled the lead five minutes after half-time with a drilled effort following interplay with Estevao, cutting inside Adam Wharton. Fernandez converted a cool penalty just after the hour, despite Chris Richards’ late consolation for the hosts, who finished with 10 men after Wharton’s second booking. TNT Sports noted Palace’s eight-match winless run, exacerbated by Jean-Philippe Mateta’s missed early chance.
How Did Nottingham Forest Escape Relegation Pressure?
Nottingham Forest responded to pressure from West Ham’s Saturday win over Sunderland by defeating Brentford 2-0, only the Bees’ second home league loss this season. Igor Jesus chested and finished superbly after 12 minutes, dominating the opening half-hour.
Brentford mounted pressure post-interval, with Dango Ouattara denied by Mats Selz, but Forest held firm. Substitute Taiwo Awoniyi secured the points 10 minutes from time, outpacing Van den Berg on the break for Forest’s only second-half touch in the box. Sky Sports’ Keith Downie reported Forest now five points above the drop zone, level with 16th-placed Leeds.
Brentford suffered injuries to Mikkel Damsgaard and Kristoffer Ajer early.
What Do Current Standings Mean for the Title Race?
Arsenal lead with 50 points, but City (47 for, 21 against) and Villa (35 for, 25 against) lurk on 46. United’s 38 points place them fourth, ahead of Chelsea’s 37. Forest’s win provides breathing room at the bottom.
When Are the Next Fixtures?
Arsenal face Kairat in the Champions League before Leeds United on January 31. United host Fulham on February 1. Villa’s European commitments continue alongside league battles.
