Declan Rice netted a sensational late winner for Arsenal against Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium, marking his first goal for the Gunners.
The 24-year-old’s goal was the climax of an electrifying 10-minute sequence of play. During this period, Alejandro Garnacho appeared to have secured the winning goal for United in the 88th minute. The Argentinian raced beyond the Arsenal defense and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner, sending the traveling United fans into celebration.
However, replays revealed that Garnacho had timed his run slightly too early, and he was marginally ahead of the last defender, Gabriel, when the ball was played.
Despite this setback, there was still plenty of time remaining, with eight minutes added for stoppage time. In the sixth minute of that additional time, Declan Rice made his presence felt in the match with a stunning late winner for Arsenal.
“DECLAN RICE, A GUNNER FOR LIFE”
Unbelievable scenes as Declan Rice SURELY gets the winner?! 🔴 pic.twitter.com/Uu9MfS8qkA
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 3, 2023
Bukayo Saka’s corner found an unmarked Declan Rice inside the penalty area, where he controlled the ball with his chest before unleashing a shot that took a deflection and found its way into the bottom corner. Although Andre Onana managed to get a glove on it, he couldn’t prevent it from hitting the post and going in.
While this goal gave Arsenal the lead at the Emirates Stadium, it wasn’t the final goal of the match.
In an attempt to secure an equalizer, Manchester United pushed players forward, leaving themselves vulnerable at the back. Fabio Vieira then set up Gabriel Jesus, who eluded the defense, turned past Diogo Dalot, and calmly slotted the ball past Andre Onana.
Nevertheless, the most significant moment of the contest came from Declan Rice, who was signed by Arsenal this summer for these critical moments – and he certainly delivered against one of his new club’s fiercest rivals.
It was a heartbreak for Manchester United, who believed they had briefly taken all three points at the Emirates Stadium before VAR overturned Alejandro Garnacho’s goal. United had to settle for their second defeat of the season, having lost 2-0 to Tottenham last month.