By Korede James
Arsenal slipped further away in the English Premier League title race after a 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Bruno Fernandes’ stunning free-kick put United ahead late in the first half before Declan Rice drew Arsenal level in the second half.
The draw means United ended a run of four consecutive defeats against Mikel Arteta’s men in the league.
The Gunners are second in the table, 15 points behind leaders Liverpool who have played a game more, while United are 14th.
United gave 18-year-old former Arsenal academy defender Ayden Heaven his debut after the he came on for the injured Leny Yoro, as Arsenal welcomed Gabriel Martinelli back from injury when the Brazilian replaced Ethan Nwaneri.
Arsenal enjoyed plenty of possession and territory, but could not break down a well organised United backline in the first half, with Mikel Merino dragging the visitors’ first effort wide before Martin Odegaard tried his luck from 25 yards out.
Manchester United took the lead two minutes into first-half stoppage time through Fernandes, who curled his free-kick over the Arsenal wall into the back of the net.
The Red Devils nearly doubled their lead when Noussair Mazraoui’s goal-bound effort was diverted away for a corner by the outstretched leg of David Raya after a swift counterattack.
Arsenal equalised 16 minutes from time as Jurrien Timber collected a pass from Odegaard and drove into the United box to pick out Rice, who drilled an unstoppable shot past Onana.
Manchester United had two gilt-edged chances to snatch the winning goal, but Raya produced a fine stop from Fernandes and Rice made a last-ditch sliding challenge to deny a poised Rasmus Hojlund.
