Arsenal tighten their grip on the Premier League race in a stunning five-goal brace against Manchester United

Match between Arsenal and Manchester United Matches pitting the giants of the game against each other call to mind: Patrick Vieira vs. Roy Keane, Sir Alex Ferguson vs. Arsene Wenger.

Sunday’s Premier League meeting between the two teams exceeded expectations, as Arsenal beat old rivals 3-2. The North London side are now five points ahead of champions Manchester City, who have played a game more.

Although Manchester United scored in the 17th minute with a stunning long-range strike from Marcus Rashford, the Gunners managed to respond with an Eddie Nketiah header and a long-range save from Bukayo Saka.

Arsenal conceded a draw in the 59th minute against Lisandro Martinez, but they managed to seal the win with a last-minute flick from Nketiah.

“Mentally and emotionally we were really determined at the same time… We never panicked and kept believing, doing the same things better than before,” explained Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta.

A spectator kicks Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal after the Premier League match

Having accumulated 50 points in 19 matches, the title was to be lost to Arsenal. Even the indomitable Arsenal club had just 45 points at this stage of the campaign.

However, City are proud of Arsenal’s recent winless experience, having won the title in four of the past five seasons. On their way to winning the title last year, City ran a 12-game winning streak which, if it can be repeated, is sure to test Arsenal’s nerves.

In addition, Pep Guardiola and his men have not played a match against Arsenal this season. The match between the two in the UAE has been postponed to accommodate Arsenal’s rearranged game against PSV in the Europa League. Six points for City would close the gap considerably, but falling short on either one could put the title out of reach.

Before the two league matches, the two teams will meet in Fourth round of the FA Cup.

When asked how he feels in direct competition with Guardiola, with whom he previously worked as an assistant, Arteta told reporters that the competition would not change their friendship and that he enjoyed the challenge.

“I always hoped that one day that would be the case and this season it happens,” Arteta explained. “We both want to win and defend our clubs in the best possible way. That’s always been the case since day one.”

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He added, “This is a big test, in my opinion, against the best football team in the world. I’m looking forward to it. It will tell us a lot about where we are.”

In contrast to the title, the race for the top four is more open. Manchester United and Newcastle are currently in the bottom two, both with 39 points after 20 matches played.

Having beaten both title contenders this season, Manchester United have proven that their development has proceeded quickly. Newcastle, who were relegation favorites last season before the takeover, have seen their fortunes rapidly develop.

That leaves Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham, who all finished in the Champions League places last season, with a mountain to climb.

Spurs are just three points off fourth place, but have made 21 appearances and recently suffered a moral defeat in a north London derby.

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Meanwhile, Liverpool and Chelsea won together Two of the last four Champions League titlesThey are 29 points behind Brighton, Fulham and Brentford. Their meeting last weekend at Anfield ended in a goalless draw, with both sides scrapping for a point to stop damage.

They are still expected to collect enough points to jump the difference directly between them and Tottenham.

Reuters contributed to this report.