Arsenal vs. Man United result: Ronaldo scores, but Gunners claim top-four clash

In a crucial match in the battle for a Champions League spot next season, Arsenal came out on top 3-1, with Bukayo Saka having a hand in two of the goals. The Gunners moved up to the coveted fourth spot in the table pending Tottenham's weekend match, while Manchester United fell six points back with four matches left to play.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored in his return to the lineup for Man United, but a missed Bruno Fernandes penalty proved costly as the Red Devils likely bid farewell to their chances of a top four finish. 

The action-packed match in North London saw both sides make changes to their defence and it showed, with neither looking entirely comfortable at the back early on. Arsenal took the lead after just a couple of minutes, Nuno Tavares finishing after David De Gea parried Saka's shot in his path.

The first half was scrappy, with neither side really able to stamp their authority on the game. Nevertheless, Arsenal doubled their lead. Saka was at the heart of it again, his one-two combination with Martin Odegaard seeing Arsenal win a penalty.

As he did at Stamford Bridge in a midweek win over Chelsea, Saka took the spot kick. He went in the opposite direction to De Gea, and doubled Arsenal's lead.

However, United soon halved the deficit. Ronaldo did well to get on the end of a Nemanja Matic cross at the far post, finding room between Gabriel and Tavares to touch it home. He immediately pointed to the sky in a celebration dedicated to his newborn son who died during the week.

Arsenal's Portuguese left back Tavares experienced a chaotic game of both attacking highs and defensive lows. When United continued to apply pressure in the second half, it was Tavares who gave away a penalty after Matic headed the ball against his raised arm.

MORE: Will Arsenal finish top four? Gunners' run-in

Fernandes, who had a game to forget, waited to send Arsenal 'keeper Aaron Ramsdale the wrong way, but then passed the ball wide of the open half of the goal, grazing the post with his attempt.

The second half erupted after the midfielder failed to convert the spot kick. United continued to search for an equaliser, but it was Arsenal who came away with the final goal of the game.

Fernandes failed to control on the edge of his own area, allowing Mohamed Elneny to feed the ball into Granit Xhaka, who smashed the ball home from distance. Arsenal saw out the final 20 minutes without too many concerns, keeping the ball well and frustrating United. The return of right back Takehiro Tomiyasu in the latter stages will have been a welcome sight.

Saka went down injured with 15 minutes left, and came off for Rob Holding. Gunners fans will be hoping that isn't a significant problem. If this week is anything to go by, Saka will be key to Arsenal finishing in the top four, which still looks a real possibility.

For Manchester United, a lot of things will have to go in their favour if they're to be playing Champions League football next season. A place in the Europa League or Europa Conference League seems a more likely outcome.

Arsenal vs. Man United final score   1H 2H Final Arsenal  2 1 3 Manchester United 1 0 1

Goals:ARS — Tavares — 2nd min.ARS — Saka (penalty) — 32nd min.MUN — Ronaldo (Matic) — 35th min.ARS — Xhaka (Elneny) — 70th min.

Arsenal vs. Man United live updates, highlights Final: Arsenal 3, Manchester United 1

Fulltime: That's all the action from Emirates Stadium, as Arsenal defeat United in an action-packed encounter.

Arsenal boost their top-four hopes after an entertaining encounter with Man Utd#ARSMUN pic.twitter.com/FBJDmxvbZ4

— Premier League (@premierleague) April 23, 2022

92nd min.: Cristiano Ronaldo picks up a booking. He goes in late after Takehiro Tomiyasu, who looks like he hasn't missed a day. The Japanese international fooled him with a change of pace.

91st min.: SUB — A bonus for Arsenal to finish the game, Takehiro Tomiyasu is coming on to make his return from his three-month layoff. Cedric makes way.

88th min.: Arsenal have done very well at closing the game down. They're keeping the ball well and getting men behind the ball when they have to.

84th min.: SUB — Bruno Fernandes, who has had a game to forget, is off for Juan Mata.

82nd min.: The game has lost its tempo in the last few minutes. Arsenal are clearly happy to let things drift to a close, but United are struggling to inject their own pace into the game. Scott McTominay tries to find a Ronaldo run in behind from deep, but the ball runs through to Ramsdale, and the forward was offside. Lindelof is booked for a challenge on Nketiah.

79th min.: YELLOW CARD — Elneny is the latest player to pick up a booking. He wins the ball before McTominay, but his follow-through sees the Egyptian's studs land on the Scot's foot.

77th min.: YELLOW CARD & SUBS — Bruno Fernandes, whose loose control let Elneny recover the ball for Arsenal's third, is booked for a late challenge on Nuno Tavares, after the Arsenal man had played the ball. VAR has a look at it, Fernandes's foot was low, but his studs made contact with Tavares's ankle. Nothing is given, and Rangnick makes two changes. Rashford and Lingard on for Matic and Elanga.

74th min.: SUB — Arsenal's Rob Holding was getting ready to come on for Eddie Nketiah, but Bukayo Saka is down, and signaling for a substitution. He's taken a few knocks in this game. Holding comes on for him, and Arsenal move to a back five. Saka is able to walk off, and gets a good reception as he leaves the pitch on the far side, and walks round the pitch to return to the dugout.

70th min.: GOAL!

Arsenal have scored again, and it's a screamer from Granit Xhaka! Arsenal counter with Nuno Tavares carrying down the left. It's worked out to Saka on the right. He tries to play in Cedric, but it's intercepted. Arsenal want a handball, but nothing is given as Arsenal regain possession on the edge of the area. Elneny passes sideways to Xhaka, who has time to unleash an absolute howitzer of a shot into the back of the net.

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WHAT A HIT FROM GRANIT XHAKA