Three Things We Learned after Arsenal beat Manchester United 

Here's Ian Mills with Three Things We Learned after Arsenal outclassed United on a memorable night at the Emirates this week 

After a tepid first half display, we moved through the gears to inflict Ruben Amorim’s first defeat, to make it four wins on the bounce in all competitions after November's international breal. 

Here are three things that stood out for me.

Corner Kings –  

When William Saliba diverted in Thomas Partey’s header from Bukayo Saka’s set piece it became our 22nd corner we have scored from since the start of last season, seven more than any other Premier League side.

We had earlier taken the lead through Jurrien Timber’s first goal for the Gunners after a brilliant delivery from Delcan Rice.

From the moment that our first goal hit the back of the net, United were a complete mess at every subsequent corner, arguing with each other amidst much finger pointing at who should be picking up which player in red and white.

While I personally love a well taken goal from open play, our current threat from corners has surely got all Gooners of a certain vintage wistfully recalling after the days of the Steve Bould flick on for Tony Adams to head home.

Overcoming adversity –

When the teamsheets emerged at 7pm the notable absences of both Gabriel and Calafiori were keenly felt amongst the Gooner masses.

A back four containing their replacements – Kiwor and Zinchenko – two players who have come in for their fare share of criticism recently, felt like it would make the game more difficult that it could have been.

Our first half display was well below par almost as if the players sensed this might be a night where things would not go our way.

However, whatever Arteta said to them at half time certainly did the trick as we came out for the second half a team transformed. Besides a barrage of corners, Martinelli, Saka and Havertz all forced Onana into saves and Merino also headed wide as we searched for a third goal.

Raya’s good form continues to impress –

Our Spanish keeper had little to do in the first half except seemingly endless balls played back to him as we built from the back.

Luckily for us he is extremely adept at playing with his feet. In the second half though he was called upon to make a quite outstanding save from De Ligt’s header with the score at 1-0.

It was the latest in a growing list of superb stops he has made since the season began. I miss Aaron Ramsdale as much as the next Gooner however Arteta has been proven right on his preferred choice of his number one – a salient lesson to trust the process if ever there was one.