Manchester United didn’t just beat Arsenal on Sunday night — they blew the title race wide open.
A Matheus Cunha missile from distance, followed by Patrick Dorgu’s outrageous half-volley, powered United to a jaw-dropping 3-2 win at the Emirates, leaving Mikel Arteta’s side shell-shocked and suddenly looking over their shoulders.
Arsenal struck first, predictably. After relentless pressure, a rare lapse from Lisandro Martinez opened the door, and Jurrien Timber tapped in from close range in the 29th minute. At that point, it felt routine. Arsenal don’t lose when they score first — or at least, they didn’t.
United had other ideas.
A sloppy pass from Martin Zubimendi flipped the game on its head. Bruno Fernandes pounced, slipped the ball to Bryan Mbeumo,
and the winger coolly finished past David Raya to mark his 50th Premier League goal and restore parity before the break.
Then came lift-off.
Just minutes into the second half, Patrick Dorgu lit up north London, smashing a controversial but breathtaking half-volley that screamed into the net and silenced the Emirates.
🚨🚨GOAL: PATRICK DORGU TAKES THE LEAD FOR MANUNITED!!!!!!!!!!!
Arsenal 1-2 Manchester United pic.twitter.com/f00wHobLnj
— GoalUltinate (@goalultinate) January 25, 2026
Two goals in two games for the reinvented wing-back — and suddenly, United were flying under interim boss Michael Carrick.
Arteta reacted instantly, rolling the dice with a quadruple change. Arsenal dominated possession again, probing and pushing, but United rode the momentum and defended with bite.
Bukayo Saka nearly fooled keeper Senne Lammens at the near post. Then chaos arrived. From a corner, Mikel Merino bundled the ball over the line in the 84th minute. Ugly? Yes. Important? Absolutely.
Game on.
Or so Arsenal thought.
Two minutes later, Matheus Cunha ended it. The Brazilian unleashed a venomous strike from distance that flew past Raya and into the bottom corner.
🚨🚨| GOAL: CUNHA HAS PUT MAN UNITED BACK IN FRONT AGAINST ARSENAL!!!!
Arsenal 2-3 Manchester Unitedpic.twitter.com/sLwtO6T1vD
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) January 25, 2026
The Emirates fell silent. United surged. Arsenal staggered.
The result sends Manchester United back into the top four, while Arsenal’s lead at the summit shrinks to just four points, with Manchester City and Aston Villa closing fast.
