Arsenal’s late-game heroics against Manchester United in a historic game at the Emirates Stadium signaled a statement of purpose in their Premier League campaign.

Meanwhile, United boss Erik ten Hag’s post-match bemoaning couldn’t have been further from the truth.

Arsenal's English midfielder #41 Declan Rice celebrates with Arsenal's Italian midfielder #20 Jorginho (R) after scoring their late second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in London on September 3, 2023. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

Pre-match build-up: Tomiyasu and Gabriel return to raise Arsenal

Arsenal welcomed back Takehiro Tomiyasu and Gabriel Magalhes to their starting XI ahead of the match.

Eddie Nketiah, fresh from his England senior call-up, was also given a starting spot.

Manchester United started Victor Lindelof in place of Raphael Varane, while Scott McTominay and Jadon Sancho were also absent.

Thomas Partey was also ruled out owing to a groin ailment.

Arsenal shown their willingness to dominate the game from the start. However, Manchester United scored first, as is customary when Arsenal is the superior team in this match.Marcus Rashford made no mistake cutting in from the left wing.

Arsenal’s quick response came 35 seconds later, when Martin degaard scored.

Arsenal's Norwegian midfielder #08 Martin Odegaard celebrates in front of fans after scoring their first goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in London on September 3, 2023. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

With Anthony Taylor in the midfield and Jarred Gillett on VAR for his third Arsenal match of the season, the game was fraught with challenged decisions.

Taylor overruled an Arsenal penalty after Gillett urged a review, and Bukayo Saka was penalized after being fouled himself.

While Manchester United appeared to profit from some questionable rulings, their manager’s post-match comments to Sky Sports that “everything went against us” were perplexing to say the least.

His views were based on an offside goal and a penalty he imagined late in the second half.

Declan Rice’s late-minute delayed shot appeared almost predestined with the clock trickling down, a methodical strike that eventually deflected off United’s Jonny Evans, making his first appearance for the Red Devils since 2015.

The Emirates roared again as Gabriel Jesus placed the final nail in Arsenal’s coffin, making the score 3-1.