'Declan Rice doubt over' - National media react to Arsenal win vs Man United

Arsenal clinched a dramatic 3-1 win against Manchester United yesterday thanks to late goals from Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus

Arsenal secured a dramatic 3-1 victory against Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.

United broke the deadlock in the first half thanks to a powerful Marcus Rashford finish but they only led the game for a few seconds, with Gunners captain Martin Odegaard equalising. Erik ten Hag's side then thought they'd won it in the dying embers of the match when Alejandro Garnacho finished past the onrushing Aaron Ramsdale in the 88th minute.

The Mirror

"It finished in an unforgettable crescendo. Two Arsenal goals in added time, Declan Rice’s wild celebrations and Manchester United cursing after a remarkable emotional rollercoaster at the Emirates.

"The Arsenal fans could barely believe their eyes because what had been a rather average game, played out by two rather average-looking teams, suddenly produced in stoppage time. Down the years, this fixture has always produced drama, controversy and anger and this time was no different even if it came late amid rows over VAR decisions.

"Arsenal will feel energised and their start to the campaign looks decent after three wins and a draw from their opening four games while they have yet to play anywhere near their best."

The Telegraph

"One of Declan Rice’s greatest qualities is his sheer force of personality and in a fierce contest that was heading towards a frustrating draw the Arsenal midfielder helped snatch a precious victory over Manchester United. The roar as Rice’s first goal since his £105 million move from West Ham United was confirmed was a mixture of joy, relief but also approval. “Ice, ice baby” played out over the tannoy at the final whistle.

"Before that, Rice chested down a corner beyond the far post and as he drove the ball it appeared to deflect off United substitute Jonny Evans before kissing the post as it beat goalkeeper André Onana. What a difference it made to Arsenal, where Rice is already emerging as a key figure.

"So much has been made of the effectiveness or otherwise of Mikel Arteta’s summer signings, with Kai Havertz enduring another difficult afternoon, but there are no doubts over Rice."

The Guardian

"Despair to joy in the closing stages, this was some turnaround, some way for Arsenal to ignite their season. And some way for Manchester United’s away-day misery to continue.

"As the Emirates Stadium bellowed the name of their team, United’s pain knew no bounds. Alejandro Garnacho thought that he had won it for the visitors, thought he had landed the most perfect of sucker punches.

"On as a substitute, the winger accelerated on to a Bruno Fernandes pass in the 89th minute to finish past Aaron Ramsdale and into the Arsenal net. Garnacho had struck late on at Fulham last season to secure Erik ten Hag’s only win in London.

"It continues to stand as such because of a wild sequence of events that had the Emirates Stadium rocking. First, the VAR spotted that Garnacho had been fractionally offside when he began his run.

"On the replay it looked as if Gabriel Magalhães, the last Arsenal defender, had sucked in his stomach as he stepped up in the middle. Then Arsenal stole it.

"Did they deserve to win? It was hard to say after a topsy-turvy game in which they were not convincing, their combinations lacking zip and precision. Not that United were any better. But the bulk of those present did not stop to ask the question.

"They simply let the emotions run over them after Declan Rice, unmarked beyond the far post on a corner in the sixth minute of stoppage-time, took a touch and his shot flicked off the United substitute Jonny Evans to beat André Onana. It was some way for Rice to score his first Arsenal goal after his £105m summer arrival from West Ham. Ten Hag wanted a foul against Evans by Gabriel. It was not there."