Manchester United vs. Arsenal 1:1 – Match of the Week with unmistakable discords...

It’s a classic of the Premier League, Manchester United against FC Arsenal (1:1). On March 9, 2025, this match of the 28th matchday was our Match of the Week. In the end, only fans in nearby Liverpool were celebrating, while the issues at Old Trafford were becoming impossible to ignore, especially off the pitch. But even Arsenal were frustrated after the latest draw.

The calm Mikel Arteta cut short an interview with Sky Sports UK after the match. The question about the title race was left unanswered by the Spanish manager of FC Arsenal after his team’s 1:1 (0:1) draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Because it’s highly likely that Arsenal’s title hopes are over – even though the statements later suggested otherwise!

“The Reds” from FC Liverpool had increased the pressure on the Londoners with a 3:1 (0:1) victory over bottom team FC Southampton on March 8, 2025, with a 16-point lead (with one game more / 2:2 at Aston Villa, event-breaks.com reported).

The worst United of the Premier League era holds Arsenal to a draw

That the arch-rival Manchester United would help the Merseysiders on their way to a 20th league title was surprising – and not predictable after recent weeks.

Manchester United is languishing in 14th place in the table, their worst position in the Premier League era. However, with the Europa League, the English record champions from Manchester still have a chance at a title.

Against Arsenal, United showed that this team is still alive. Often justly criticized, stagnating in terms of football, and accompanied by constant turmoil off the pitch, they showed against Arsenal that they still have it. “We were able to keep up in every phase of the game,” said United’s Portuguese manager Ruben Amorim afterwards to BBC Sport.

Bruno Fernandes (45. + 2) scored a stunning free-kick to give United the lead. The Portuguese captain of Manchester United, who has been involved in at least 25 goals in each of the last three PL seasons, was the best player on the field.

Calm: Superstar Declan Rice saved Arsenal’s title hopes with the 1:1 draw at Manchester United. Photo: Imago Images / News Licensing.

That’s why Raya is European Champion...

With this scoreline, Arsenal, despite having one game in hand next weekend against London rivals FC Chelsea – while Liverpool will face Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final – are 16 points behind LFC.

Declan Rice (74.) equalized for Arsenal. But despite Arsenal pushing for the much-needed victory in the final stages with over 68 percent possession, Manchester United had the winning goal on their boots in injury time.

Spanish Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya showed in injury time why he became a European champion. He saved a penalty from Fernandes from 11 meters (90. + 3) and then deflected the rebound with an incredible reflex.

“It’s not over yet!”

One minute earlier, Gabriel Martinelli had the chance for Arsenal, but the Brazilian sent the ball over the bar from close range into the stands of the Stretford End, where Manchester United’s most loyal fans are located.

“David made two great saves,” said Arsenal’s goalscorer Declan Rice after the match on Sky Sports UK, “we were a little naive at the end, but we won’t give up, because we are Arsenal, it’s not over yet.”

With a home win against FC Chelsea next Sunday, Arsenal could still create some mild tension with a 12-point deficit.

However, FC Liverpool has 5 home games left, including the direct clash against the “Gunners” on matchday 36.

Football trips Manchester United: Fan protest culture is everywhere

And Manchester United? The “Red Devils” can crown their decent performance against Arsenal on Thursday with a place in the Europa League quarter-finals against Real Sociedad San Sebastián.

This would give the club, and Amorim, a small breather before the international break. A lot has happened this year (too) at Old Trafford.

What was also unmistakable against FC Arsenal: The protest culture at “Theatre of Dreams”. There’s still turmoil at the Theatre of Dreams, where the American ownership family, the Glazers, has been the clear enemy for 20 years.

Why? “Because the Glazer family never had a long-term development strategy for the club,” as England legend Keir Radnedge wrote in Kicker Sports Magazine (March 6, 2025).

This is important to know if you’re planning a football trip to Manchester United.

How much fire there is under the roof was shown during the FA Cup “exit” against FC Fulham, when a new protest group, “The 1958”, launched several actions. This group had also called for fans to wear black clothing to the stadium before the Arsenal game, as they had stated beforehand, “The club is slowly dying before our eyes,” and “One of the world’s biggest football institutions is being destroyed.”

Martial, of course, but we are talking about football. Many fans followed this call, and one of the protest banners read “Stop exploiting Loyalty” – Stop exploiting loyalty!