Revival on the Road: United Edge Arsenal 3-2 in EPL Thriller
25 January 2026
Match Recap
Manchester United, under caretaker manager Michael Carrick, secured a vital 3-2 victory away to Arsenal, the league leaders at the time, in the 23rd round of the Premier League.
United's goals came from Bryan Mbouimo (37), Patrick Durjo (50), and Matheus Conia (87). Arsenal responded with an own goal by Lisandro Martinez (29) and a late strike by Mikel Merino (84).
Stats and context
Opta notes that Mbouimo is the first United player to score against Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool in a single Premier League season since Marcus Rashford in 2022-23. It is also the first time a new signing has achieved that in his first season with the club since Robin van Persie in 2012-2013.
Additionally, Bruno Fernandes became the first United player since Wayne Rooney to record 10 or more assists in two consecutive EPL seasons (10 assists in 2024-25 and 10 in 2025-26).
Punchline 1: If defense is a joke, tonight United’s shot had the punchline—a clean headshot to the top corner and a stadium full of smiles.
Punchline 2: Arsenal tried camouflage but Mbouimo kept finding the target anyway, because in football the sniper wears boots not a cloak.
