At 19:30 Beijing time on April 23, the 34th round of the Premier League ushered in a focus battle: Arsenal vs Manchester United. A direct dialogue between two teams aiming to compete for four.
In the pre-match Premier League table, Arsenal scored 57 points in 32 games, the same as fourth-place Spurs, and ranked fifth due to the goal difference disadvantage. United finish sixth with 54 points from 33 games.
Arsenal started 4231, Nketiah played as a centre-forward, on the forward line Smith Rowe, Erdegaard, Saka, double backs Xhaka and Ernenni, four defenders Tavares, Gabriel, Ben White, Cedric, goalkeeper Ramsdale. The total value of the starting eleven is 300 million euros. Former striker Lacazette sits on the bench.
Manchester United started at the same 4231, C Ronaldo played as a center, forward Sancho, B Fee, Ilanga, double back Matic, Scott McTominay, four defenders Telles, Varane, Lindelof, Dalot, goalkeeper De Gea. The total value of the starting eleven is 390 million euros. The recently controversial captain, centre-back Maguire, sits on the bench.
After the match opened, Arsenal took the lead in attacking. In the 3rd minute, Xhaka crossed from the left, Varane and Tres failed to complete the clearance, Saka's shot was saved by De Gea, Tavares followed up with a shot, the ball scored! Arsenal lead Manchester United 1-0. Arsenal made a fantastic start.
In the 6th minute, Ronaldo's midfielder was directly blocked, and Ilanga broke into the box and shot was saved by Ramsdale.
In the 11th minute, Ramsdale made a mistake in the opening goal, B Fee intercepted and adjusted the shot, which was blocked by Gabriel.
In the 19th minute, Arsenal took a free kick on the left side of the field, and Erdegaard took a direct shot at the goal and hit it high.
In the 20th minute, Ronaldo received a pass from Darot in the penalty area and shot high.
In the 27th minute, Erdegaard passed the ball into the box, Saka was knocked down by Tres and Nketiah broke the goal. The VAR showed Nketija offside in the lead and the referee then awarded Tres a foul on Saka and gave Arsenal a penalty. Saka hit the penalty and Arsenal extended the score to 2-0.
In the 34th minute, Nemanja Matic's cross from the left was met by Ronaldo. Manchester United 1:2 Arsenal.
In first-half stoppage time, Sancho and Odegaard's long-range shots were saved by the opposing goalkeeper.
In the 57th minute, Tavares sent a handball to the point, B Fei took the penalty, and the jump penalty hit the outside of the goalpost. Rumsdale celebrates!
In the 70th minute, B Fei made a mistake in stopping the ball, Ernenni broke the ball and sent an assist, and Xhaka World Wave scored. Arsenal rewrote the score to 3:1.
In the end, with goals from Tavares, Saka and Xhaka, Arsenal beat Manchester United 3-1 at home, accumulated 60 points in 33 games, and rose to fourth in the Premier League table after the first round, three more points than the heat death. After losing this game, United still have only 54 points in 34 games, and by the time Tenhach takes over, United are likely to have lost the Champions League qualification.