Jurriën Timber and William Saliba scored from corners to give Arsenal a 2-0 win over Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday. This meant they reduced the gap to Premier League leaders Liverpool and ended Ruben Amorim’s unbeaten start.

The Gunners threatened from set pieces but little else in a strangely subdued first half as Thomas Partey was unable to direct a dangerous Declan Rice corner that injured defender Gabriel may have converted.

United goalkeeper André Onana twice had to defend himself from corners, with the second chance going to Gabriel Martinelli, who fired his shot high and wide.

The visitors were content to slow the game down and keep the ball, but went close before half-time when Diogo Dalot’s shot from a tight angle went wide.

Arsenal were sharper after the restart and took the lead in the 54th minute after another corner from Rice when Timber headed in from a tight angle.

Shortly afterwards, United almost equalized from their own set-piece, but David Raya made an excellent fingertip save to deny Matthijs de Ligt’s header.

Arsenal put the game to bed in the 73rd minute when Partey’s header, off an assist from Bukayo Saka, bounced off Saliba, allowing Arsenal’s 22nd league goal from a corner since the start of last season.

Rice almost scored a third before substitute Mikel Merino headed the post from the resulting corner, while every set-piece drew expectant celebrations.

Arsenal took advantage of the game to take advantage of Liverpool’s draw at Newcastle United. The win left them third behind Chelsea on goal difference with 28 points from 14 games – and the gap to the league leaders is now seven points.

Amorim’s first defeat as United manager – and his first league defeat since his former club Sporting’s loss to Vitória de Guimaraes in December 2023 – dropped them to 11th with 19 points.