LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 03: Declan Rice of Arsenal celebrate their side's third goal scored by Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal (not pictured) during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on September 03, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
3 standout players from enthralling victory over Man Utd
Special team. Special atmosphere.
Thank you Gooners ❤️ pic.twitter.com/0hs0H8nhF5— Gabriel Martinelli (@gabimartinelli) September 3, 2023
2. Gabriel Martinelli
Martinelli has been criticised for having a poor start to the season which I think is very harsh. In any case, against United he was excellent. Fearless, he took on Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who is an exceptional 1v1 defender, with every chance he had. Although he wouldn’t always get past him, he won plenty of corners and was the most energetic player in Arsenal’s front line.
He wasn’t just lively. Martinelli showcased his quality for the first Arsenal goal. A lovely backheel flick to Oleksander Zinchenko to start the attack, he then found Odegaard in acres of space in the box.
When he got to the by-line, the Brazilian winger always found someone in the box. He didn’t stop taking on United players until he was subbed off and he should be very proud of his performance. Martinelli is likely to be instrumental this season and I cannot wait to see him perform in the Champions League.
pic.twitter.com/YkzESjlrKI
<p>— DailyAFC (@DailyAFC) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/09/04/3-standout-players-in-dramatic-win-man-utd/2/"https://twitter.com/DailyAFC/status/1698618149145301348?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>September 4, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/09/04/3-standout-players-in-dramatic-win-man-utd/2/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>Gabriel Jesus then piled on the misery after sending Diogo Dalot for a hotdog and stroking the ball past Onana in the 111th minute of action.</p>
<p>It was a good performance from the Gunners without being a great one. United created very little and Arsenal missed a couple of big chances, dominating most of the game. All in all, it was undoubtedly a deserved victory and Gooners should be happy with ten points from Arsenal’s first four games, especially considering Mikel Arteta’s side are yet to fire on all cylinders.</p>
<p>There are few feelings sweeter as an Arsenal fan than a last-minute winner against Man Utd.</p>
<h2>3 standout players from the enthralling victory over Man Utd</h2>
<p><a title="Arsenal 3-1 Man Utd: Player ratings as Rice strikes at the death" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/09/04/3-standout-players-in-dramatic-win-man-utd/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/09/03/arsenal-3-1-man-utd-player-ratings/" rel="">Most players were solid without particularly shining</a>. Kai Havertz had another difficult game and was unlucky to have a penalty ruled out. Bukayo Saka had an uncharacteristically poor game, missing a sitter when Arsenal were chasing a winner. However, three players particularly impressed.</p>
<h2>1. Declan Rice</h2>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">🥁 Introducing our POTM from yesterday's dramatic victory…</p>
<p>🍚 Declan Rice <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/09/04/3-standout-players-in-dramatic-win-man-utd/2/"https://t.co/koY5bOuWOG">pic.twitter.com/koY5bOuWOG
<p>— Arsenal (@Arsenal) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/09/04/3-standout-players-in-dramatic-win-man-utd/2/"https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1698593234933399951?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>September 4, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/09/04/3-standout-players-in-dramatic-win-man-utd/2/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>Even without his goal, Declan Rice was the best player on the pitch. Incredibly safe on the ball, Rice slid in some impressive passes and was generally pulling the strings in midfield.</p>
<p>It’s off the ball where Rice really shines, though. Sometimes, he just popped up out of nowhere to nick the ball, put in a big tackle or intercept a pass. His ability to sniff out danger and aid Arsenal in defensive transition will take the Gunners to another level. He should be a stalwart in that Arsenal midfield for many years.</p>
<p>Of course, it was his goal that was the highlight of his performance. Alone at the back post, he managed to bring the ball down from Saka’s cross and was still alone. He then fired a very powerful shot that was too much for Onana to handle and sent the Arsenal fans straight to cloud nine. He won’t be forgetting that moment for a while!</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/09/04/3-standout-players-in-dramatic-win-man-utd/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #2 standout performer vs United </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Special team. Special atmosphere.<br />Thank you Gooners ❤️ <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/09/04/3-standout-players-in-dramatic-win-man-utd/2/"https://t.co/0hs0H8nhF5">pic.twitter.com/0hs0H8nhF5
<p>— Gabriel Martinelli (@gabimartinelli) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/09/04/3-standout-players-in-dramatic-win-man-utd/2/"https://twitter.com/gabimartinelli/status/1698430340828664242?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>September 3, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/09/04/3-standout-players-in-dramatic-win-man-utd/2/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<h2>2. Gabriel Martinelli</h2>
<p>Martinelli has been criticised for having a poor start to the season which I think is very harsh. In any case, against United he was excellent. Fearless, he took on Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who is an exceptional 1v1 defender, with every chance he had. Although he wouldn’t always get past him, he won plenty of corners and was the most energetic player in Arsenal’s front line.</p>
<p>He wasn’t just lively. Martinelli showcased his quality for the first Arsenal goal. A lovely backheel flick to Oleksander Zinchenko to start the attack, he then found Odegaard in acres of space in the box.</p>
<p>When he got to the by-line, the Brazilian winger always found someone in the box. He didn’t stop taking on United players until he was subbed off and he should be very proud of his performance. Martinelli is likely to be instrumental this season and I cannot wait to see him perform in the Champions League.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/09/04/3-standout-players-in-dramatic-win-man-utd/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #3 standout performer vs United </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Gabriel Magalhaes…that is the most MONSTERCLASS positioning I’ve ever seen <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/09/04/3-standout-players-in-dramatic-win-man-utd/2/"https://t.co/L9tIlxAxrz">pic.twitter.com/L9tIlxAxrz
<p>— ∞ (@TheFalseNein) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/09/04/3-standout-players-in-dramatic-win-man-utd/2/"https://twitter.com/TheFalseNein/status/1698391223059251432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>September 3, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/09/04/3-standout-players-in-dramatic-win-man-utd/2/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<h2>3. Gabriel Magalhães</h2>
<p>In the starting line-up for the first time this season, Gabriel Magalhães didn’t show any signs whatsoever of rust. He picked up exactly where he left off last season and was fantastic.</p>
<p>He defended very well and was important in the team’s build-up. He had to battle United’s new signing Rasmus Højlund, a very physical player, and did well in that department, even if he didn’t look all that comfortable.</p>
<p>However, he was crucial to the Arsenal victory in two different ways. Firstly, he had the presence of mind and the correct positioning to put Garnacho offside by the slightest whisker. He notices that the Argentinian is through, so he takes a step forward to ensure the winger’s offside/</p>
<p>Then, for Rice’s goal, Gabriel intelligently stops anyone from getting to Rice without fouling. He puts his big frame between the United defenders and Rice, which gives the midfielder the time to take aim and shoot.</p>
<p>He had a brilliant return to the team and I feel reassured when he is on the pitch.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">🎙️ Peter Drury is in love with Arsenal ⚪️🔴</p>
<p> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/09/04/3-standout-players-in-dramatic-win-man-utd/2/"https://t.co/JSat6UW0DF">pic.twitter.com/JSat6UW0DF
<p>— Gooner Chris (@ArsenalN7) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/09/04/3-standout-players-in-dramatic-win-man-utd/2/"https://twitter.com/ArsenalN7/status/1698596719242481668?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>September 4, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/09/04/3-standout-players-in-dramatic-win-man-utd/2/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>It was a fantastic result for Arsenal and praise has to be given to substitutes Gabriel Jesus and Reiss Nelson. Jesus scored a brilliant goal all while humiliating Diogo Dalot and looks back to his old self. Nelson was so purposeful every time he had the ball and deserves more minutes on the pitch.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="WPZUQSBvco"><p><a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/09/04/3-standout-players-in-dramatic-win-man-utd/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/09/03/arsenal-3-1-man-utd-player-ratings/">Arsenal 3-1 Man Utd: Player ratings as Rice strikes at the death</a></p></blockquote>
<p><iframe class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);" title="“Arsenal 3-1 Man Utd: Player ratings as Rice strikes at the death” — Pain in the Arsenal" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/09/04/3-standout-players-in-dramatic-win-man-utd/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/09/03/arsenal-3-1-man-utd-player-ratings/embed/#?secret=FNpJJyopK2#?secret=WPZUQSBvco" data-secret="WPZUQSBvco" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p></div>
<p>Despite not being the best performance, the result and the way that it was attained is one to savour for Arsenal fans.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
