Arsenal 2-0 Manchester United: Granit Xhaka and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang give Gunners huge boost in race for the top four

Arsenal 2-0 Manchester United: Granit Xhaka and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang give Gunners huge boost in race for the top four
Arsenal took a huge step towards Champions League qualification with a 2-0 win over Manchester United at the Emirates.On a weekend when Tottenham lost and Chelsea drew, Granit Xhaka and and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang put the Gunners firmly in control of fourth place.3

Aubameyang doubled Arsenal’s lead

Xhaka’s swerving effort wrong-footed David de Gea in the first-half, and Aubameyang also sent the United goalkeeper the wrong way – this time with a penalty in the second-half.Referee Jonathan Moss pointed to the spot after Fred’s challenge on Alexandre Lacazette – although it appeared soft.It brings Ole Gunnar Solskjaer firmly back down to earth following his team’s remarkable comeback against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday. The Norwegian now faces an uphill battle to qualify for next season’s edition of the competition following his first Premier League defeat as interim manager.United sit fifth, two points behind fourth-place Arsenal and one ahead of Chelsea, who have a game in hand on both teams.On a day where Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish was attacked by a Birmingham fan running onto the field of play, an Arsenal supporter appeared to run into Chris Smalling as he invaded the pitch after Aubameyang’s goal.While it seemingly lacked the malice of the St Andrew’s incident, questions will be asked of how the invader was able to cover so much ground before being halted.The hosts started the game on the front foot but almost found themselves behind as United broke forward and Romelu Lukaku – with six goals in his last three games – hit the crossbar from five yards after a good, low cross from Luke Shaw.3

A supporter appeared to shove Smalling

Moments later and Arsenal were celebrating the goal their early dominance deserved as Xhaka hit a speculative effort with De Gea badly caught out by the swerve on the ball.United, despite being second-best, hit the woodwork for the second time in the opening 20 minutes as Fred’s low drive struck the base of the post.Solskjaer reacted to his side being overrun in midfield by moving to a three-man defence to mirror Arsenal’s set-up as captain Ashley Young was drafted in as a central defender.Lukaku found Bernd Leno in the way as he was slipped in by Marcus Rashford, the Belgium striker looking to round the German goalkeeper and finish in a similar to fashion to his opener in Paris.The change in shape certainly helped the visitors stem the flow of Arsenal attacks and they enjoyed more forays forward themselves towards the end of the first-half without really testing Leno.3

Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette celebrate the second goal of the game

In sharp contrast to the first half, it was United who were fast out of the blocks at the restart, Lukaku rolled in by Rashford only to see his shot turned behind by the outstretched leg of Leno.Rashford arrowed a free-kick wide before referee Jon Moss awarded a soft penalty to the home side, Lacazette going down under minimal pressure from Fred.Aubameyang, who had missed a last-gasp spot-kick at Spurs last week, confidently tucked away the chance from 12 yards to double Arsenal’s advantage.An Arsenal supporter ran onto the pitch to celebrate and seemed to brush past Chris Smalling on his way to mob the celebrating Arsenal players before the stewards took care of the situation.Lacazette then missed a marvellous chance to seal the three points as he fired wide as Solskjaer threw on fit-again Anthony Martial and teenager Mason Greenwood in an attempt to salvage something from the game.An onslaught of the Arsenal goal never materialised, Rashford heading straight at the impressive Leno in stoppage time as Solskjaer’s side tasted a rare defeat.

---

Manchester United transfer news: Gareth Bale would be 'huge asset' at Old Trafford, insists former Red Devils supervendor June 10, 2019 Talksport Deal Score 0
NewsNow: Manchester United News, Man Utd Transfer News

---

It's clear that the sport of football needs to change. And the $64,000 question, my friends, is simple: "how?" Something is terribly wrong. The writing's on the wall: youth participation in the

---

Liverpool pulled off a comeback for the ages on Tuesday in its 4-0 victory over Barcelona in the second leg of the Champions League semifinal. The club's blowout win erased a three-goal deficit
Champions League: Liverpool vs Barcelona - As it happened

---

Chelsea Premier League fixtures 2019/20 full schedule: Blues handed mouth-watering opening day clash vs Man United Chelsea have discovered their fixtures for the 2019/20 Premier League campaign but there is an air of

---

He desperately needs a season like Ryan Kent or Harry Wilson have managed. Kent won the Scottish PFA Young Player of the Year award but at 22, his time has likely passed for Liverpool. Wilson's 17 goals this season for Derby County may have earned him a shot at Liverpool - and that's the standard Woodburn needs to hit at the very least.
Liverpool FC news and transfers LIVE - World Cup winner

---

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu claims "know what will happen" when it comes to the future of in-demand Ajax defender Matthijs de Light. Transfer news: Is Matthijs de Ligt Barcelona
Barcelona Chief 'Knows What Will Happen' With Ajax Defender

---

Chelsea First Teamers Couldn't Beat Youth Team After Weekend Embarrassment. couldn't beat their youth team in a 60 minute training match on Sarri watched most of the training ground draw.
Meet Billy Gilmour: The latest Chelsea academy star making a

---

France vs South Korea live on talkSPORT 2: Commentary, free stream, kick-off time and team news for Women's World Cup opener France kick off the Women's World Cup with a clash against South Korea in Paris and it will be live on talkSPORT 2. Les Bleues are among the favourites for talkSPORT 2 days ago
France vs South Korea live streaming: Watch Women's World Cup

---

Chelsea reach agreement with Juventus over Maurizio Sarri: Manager search to start The Italian is set to leave Stamford Bridge to take over at the Serie A champions. Sarri was successful in

---

Arsenal vs Everton: TV channel, live stream details, kick-off time and line-ups Arsenal are looking to go four games unbeaten in the Premier League against Everton on Sunday
Everton vs Man City: TV channel details and kick-off time for

---

Crystal Palace have condemned the racist abuse of a club doctor in a 'disgraceful' incident which took place before their final day defeat of Bournemouth. Dr Zafar Iqbal on Sunday said he was
Crystal Palace condemn racist comments aimed at club doctor

---

He called a squad meeting, he told Paddy and Petit they weren't giving the back 4 enough protection and he landed a title winning response. Do we have enough leaders in the dressing room to take an initiative like that? I damn well hope so… Wenger and the boys have ten games to save this season. Win all ten. We win the league. Simple.

---

Michy Batshuayi will not be returning to Chelsea from his Valencia loan spell in January, according to reports. Earlier this month there were suggestions the Belgium forward's loan stay in Spain
Batshuayi will not return in January - SaveChelsea.net

---

Cardiff City 'surprised' by Nantes' demand over missing Emiliano Sala's transfer fee. The Argentinian footballer - a record signing for the Welsh club - was on board a lane called the Piper Malibu
Nantes demand first slice of £15m Emiliano Sala fee from

---

Man City stars wrap up warm for foggy training session after hitting nine past Burton and get a visit from old boy Martin Petrov. Manchester City trained in the fog the day after their 9-0

---