Arsenal won the tough battles but needs to stand up against adversity in order to hold on to advantage in the run in

After losing at Southampton to complete a third consecutive loss over a week ago, all hope seemed lost for Arsenal and their quest for a return to Champions League football next season.

Nuno Tavares celebrates scoring Arsenal's 1st goal with (L) Bukayo Saka during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on April 23, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

There were fears it could get worse for them as they appeared lost in games, which were against oppositions you'd expect them to pick up useful points to give them the needed edge in the race for a top four finish.

However, it all looked as though they might nick it in the end after back to back wins against direct opponents for top four, while their North London neighbours, Tottenham Hotspur has also failed to win in either of their two games.

Heading into the Wednesday night kickoff at the Stamford Bridge Stadium, no one gave Mikel Arteta and his side any chance due to their shambolic performance in their previous games before that night.

The poor results coincides with the absence of Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey, both whom are not expected to return anytime soon with Scottish defender, Tierney ruled out for the remainder of the season.

For Thomas Partey, it is still to be known if 5h4 Ghanian midfield will still play a part as he continues his recovery from a muscle injury.

Against Chelsea, the inclusion of Eddie Nketiah and Mohamed Elneny in the starting XI did made the side look weak on papers, while Nuno Tavares, who had not had a good game since being brought in to replace Tierney after the international break also started at left back.

Rob Holding also got a rare start in what many termed as a desperate move by Mikel Arteta as he presented his side in the usual 4-2-3-1 formation with Ben White coming in at right back.

However, the changes appeared to make the difference as Eddie Nketiah scorer two goals, the kind of goals you wouldn't expect a striker like Alexander Lacazette to put away while Mohamed Elneny pulled the strings in the middle of the park.

Nuno Tavares also played a great role in the first and third goal as the Gunners won 4-2 on enemy’s territory.

The win took them level on points with Tottenham Hotspur, who had lost to Brighton in the Saturday early kickoff the previous weekend.

Though with their recent reputation against Manchester United, one would concede the Gunners stand the better chance of winning when the poor form of United adds to it.

Nonetheless, the Gunners are winless in their previous two games against the Red devils, drawing 0-0 at the Emirates in the second fixture of last season while they were beaten earlier this season at Old Trafford.

That was Manchester United’s first league win against Arsenal since April 2018 and was thanks to an inspired performance by Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored two goals in that match to win it for United.

The five times Balon d'Or winner was the main threat posed by the away side heading into the contest. After missing their 4-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield due to the passing of his child, the Portuguese was expected to make his return against Arsenal after scoring a hat-trick in his previous appearance against Norwich City.

Mikel Arteta choose to make just one change to the side that won at Chelsea, with Cedric Soares coming in for Rob Holding, as Ben White dropped back to the centre of defence.

Arsenal made a great start and could have been 3-0 up as early as the 32nd minute but no thanks to a very good save by David de Gea to deny Eddie Nketiah from close range.

Nuno Tavares opened the scoring, tapping home the rebound after Bukayo Saka’s goal bound shot was charged down by de Gea, the Portuguese was first to it to put Arsenal in dream land as early as the third minute.

Manchester United were presented chances of their own after the Arsenal goal. Cristiano Ronaldo teed up Anthony Elanga on a couple of occasions but the youngster could not apply the right finish.

Aaron Ramsdale also kicked a ball straight at McTominay and the ball eventually getting to Bruno Fernandes, whose shot was deflected by Gabriel before going wide for a corner kick.

Diogo Dalot had a decent shot come off the crossbar and few minutes later, Eddie Nketiah drew a great save off de Gea but in truth, the English striker should have done better with the chance.

Nketiah finally found himself on the scoresheet after being teed up by Bukayo Saka in the area, however, the striker was just ahead of his countryman when the pass was made and eventually ruled out for offside.

Nketiah but not Arsenal will be denied though as VAR check spotted a foul on Saka by Alex Tellex in the build up to the goal and penalty was awarded to the host.

Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring the 2nd Arsenal goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on April 23, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Bukayo Saka stepped up to take it and made no mistake, sending David de Gea the wrong way as he made it two in two for himself from the spot, and two to nothing to Arsenal just two minutes past the half hour mark.

Cristiano Ronaldo pulled one back for the visitors two minutes later, while Granit Xhaka put the game to bed 20 minutes from time with a brilliant effort from 30 yards out, after Bruno Fernandes had missed from the spot when presented a chance to level it at 2-2 three minutes before the hour mark.

Arsenal went away with the points and it got even better for them later in the day as Tottenham Hotspur failed to beat Brentford, meaning the Gunners now have a foothold on fourth with two points ahead of their neighbours.

But for the Arsenal we've seen so far this season, that is just a phase to them as they could become very vulnerable even against the weakest teams, which is why they can not at the time boast the advantage of the position they are in.

The problem always ensue when they conceded first. Bar the comeback win over Wolverhampton Wonderers at the Emirates, Arsenal have lost all of the other games where they have conceded first this season, a sign which is not encouraging for a side nursing European ambition.

Arsenal have won just one game when they have conceded the first goal this season.

Mikel Arteta side become too anxious when they go behind that they become very predictable, thus making it very easy for teams to defend against their attacking pressures.

Arsenal have also failed to score in all the games where they have conceded first apart from the game against Wolverhampton Wonderers and this is something Mikel Arteta must correct in order to achieve a climax finish to the season.

Arsenal needs to show more resilient and needs to embrace change of formation during games. They did that against Chelsea, their first time in a long time and it gave them the platform for the win. They just have to do this more often and be less predictable.

Arsenal return to action next weekend as they travel to the Olympic Stadium in London to face West Ham United in a London derby match before hosting Leeds United at the Emirates the following Sunday.

With the run of games coming up for Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal could secure Champions League qualification if they earn maximum points against West Ham and Leeds United and also beat Tottenham Hotspur at the London stadium next month because Antonio Conte’s side face Liverpool at Anfield before hosting Arsenal.

Arsenal will hope title chasers, Liverpool and help them beat Spurs to make it easier for them to topple their neighbour come the end of the season on the 22nd of May.

Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi