Two second-half goals by Marcus Rashford inflicted Arsenal’s first defeat of the season as Manchester United won 3-1 at Old Trafford after Antony scored on his debut.
The Brazilian, made a dream start to life at United by scoring a first-half opener with a cool first-time finish (35).
Antony’s goal came after Arsenal had been denied a 12th-minute opener by VAR after referee Paul Tierney used the pitchside monitor to disallow Gabriel Martinelli’s clinical finish for a foul on Christian Eriksen by Martin Odegaard in the build-up to the goal.Mikel Arteta’s side deservedly levelled early in the second half when Bukayo Saka rolled home (60).
But United retook the lead just six minutes later as Rashford fired home from Bruno Fernandes’ through-ball.
Arsenal went to Old Trafford aiming to win their opening six games of the season for the first time since 1947 and they thought they had taken a 12th-minute lead as Martinelli finished superbly when played through by Saka after Eriksen had been robbed of possession by Odegaard.
Fellow deadline-day arrival Martin Dubravka was named on the bench along with Cristiano Ronaldo and Casemiro.
Fit-again Oleksandr Zinchenko returned to Arsenal’s side in place of Kieran Tierney in the only change for the Gunners.
But the goal was disallowed after VAR advised referee Tierney to check the pitchside monitor, where he ruled that Eriksen had been fouled by Arsenal’s captain in the build-up.
Martinelli came close to opening the scoring again in the 32nd minute but David de Gea excellently saved the Brazilian’s back-post header from Odegaard’s cross.
Three minutes later, though, the home side took the lead through debutant Antony, who swept home a first-time left-footed finish into the bottom corner from Rashford’s pass.
Arsenal started the second half strongly and deservedly levelled in the 60th minute after Saka finished off the rebound from Diogo Dalot’s last-ditch tackle on Gabriel Jesus.
But United hit back six minutes later as Rashford restored their lead after he smashed past Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale from Fernandes’ pass.
Arsenal boss Arteta made a triple substitution in search of an equaliser in the 74th minute but a minute later his side conceded again as Rashford scored his second.
Fernandes sent Eriksen clear and the Dane squared for the forward, who converted easily to end Arsenal’s 100 per cent start to the season and continue the Gunners’ miserable recent record at Old Trafford, having now won just one of their last 16 Premier League away games at United.
