The Emirates Stadium was left stunned on Sunday night as Manchester United produced a dramatic 3–2 victory over Arsenal, sealed by a late long-range strike from Matheus Cunha. What was expected to be another routine home win for Mikel Arteta’s side instead turned into their first home defeat of the season, and one that triggered intense backlash from Arsenal supporters questioning the direction of the project, Softfootball reports.
For Manchester United fans, the result felt like a genuine turning point. After back-to-back wins against the league’s top two sides, belief is creeping back into a fanbase that has endured months of frustration. However, despite the euphoria, United boss Michael Carrick was quick to cool expectations, insisting after the game that his side must “keep their feet on the ground” and not get carried away, stressing that “there is still a lot to work on and improve.”
Arsenal Fans Turn on Arteta as Emirates Unbeaten Run Ends
The mood among Arsenal supporters was one of anger, disbelief, and deep concern — not just about the result, but what it represents in a title race slipping away.
@theboldone did not mince words:
We need to have a conversation about Arteta.
This can’t be happening to us every season. If he doesn’t win the League this season, he should be sacked.
Rival fans wasted no time piling on. @americanred, a Liverpool supporter, mocked Arsenal’s European shortcomings:
You lot are just red Tottenham with less European success 🤣🤣.
Some Arsenal fans pointed directly at selection and in-game decisions. @oluwakayode wrote:
Starting Gabriel Jesus and Odegaard ahead of Gyökeres and Eze was the first mistake of the game. Today we lost the momentum because of back pass, which was absolutely unnecessary. These players aren’t fighters, letting us down again.
Others tried to strike a more balanced tone. @danielregha said:
Manchester United being the first team to end the unbeaten record this season is surprising, but again, that’s the beauty of football. Arsenal being a more balanced team could’ve put on a better performance. Better luck in the forthcoming games, one team can’t win it all.
Mikel Arteta reflected on the loss and how it affects the mentality of his team going forward in a post match reaction shared via the team official X handle. They posted:
Still, frustration dominated. @callmembj summed up the heartbreak:
Full-time and it hurts. Another game where we dominate possession but can’t finish, and the defence switches off at the worst moments.
We still have games to turn this around, but the lead is slipping fast. Wednesday needs a reaction bigger than words. COYG 🔴⚪.
@edemekeng highlighted missed tactical opportunities:
This was very poor. The team was not at their best. Arteta should have played Martinelli as there were opportunities for transition.
A more analytical critique came from @quantfooty:
Arteta can be predictable in game. He sticks to his structure even when the game state changes, makes like for like adjustments, and rarely alters rest defence mid match. Once opponents disrupt the first pattern, Arsenal often struggle to adapt on the fly.
And the patience of some fans appears to be fully exhausted. @bigdaddy posted:
It’s okay to like Arteta but if you still believe Arteta and Odegaard will lead us to a title you must be delusional. It’s 6yrs and Enough is Enough.
After the game, Arsenal’s star forward Bukayo saka spoke to the Arsenal media shared via the team’s official X handle, the winger reflected on the loss and said the team must bounce back on Wednesday in the Uefa champions league. They posted:
Manchester United Fans Dream Again Under Carrick
While Arsenal fans fumed, Manchester United supporters were riding an emotional high — many pointing to Michael Carrick’s impact compared to previous regimes.
@riddleson didn’t hold back:
Can we all agree now how fraudulent Amorim was and how he wasted 15 months of our time??.
@paulemmanuel highlighted the scale of the achievement:
The last time Arsenal conceded 3 goals in a match was 5 December 2023, away to Luton Town.
And today, this Man United team beat them 3–2. I’m starting to believe again. Thank you Carrick for changing my life.
Others saw a familiar pattern emerging. @innoafrica wrote:
Apart from Mourinho the best results we have ever had comes from former Man U players. Ole and now Carrick. Hope he keeps the consistency going forward.
Interestingly, after the game Manchester United via its official X handle, shared the immediate reaction of interim manager Micheal carrick. Watch below:
League position made the win even sweeter. @adamkpham celebrated:
Just like that, Top 4 after 2 wins against the Top 2 teams in the league! Michael Carrick did what Ruben Amorim failed to do during his entire tenure. GLORY GLORY MAN UNITED.
Tactical praise also poured in. @quantfooty noted:
United got the big calls right. They adjusted the block higher, dominated second balls, attacked wide with purpose, and used substitutions to exploit game state. Tactical flexibility, not possession, won this.
@adeniyiadegoke framed the performance historically:
What a performance from Manchester United, a display that echoed the character and standards of the Sir Alex Ferguson era.
Michael Carrick deserves immense credit for his tactical discipline and leadership in securing a victory away against Arsenal.
This result marks Arsenal’s first defeat at the Emirates Stadium this season, a significant statement performance from Manchester United.
And finally, @zubairahmedkhan captured the disbelief:
Carrick where have you been, its a different team suddenly and to those who said City was a new manager bounce and a fluke, It wasnt!
Won at emirates after years, 121 games since someone scored 3 against Arsenal and 1st win by someone at Emirates this season wow #MUFC #MUNARS.
After the game Manchester United United shared via its official X handle the post match reaction of its players and coaching staff celebrating and thanking the away fans for their enormous support as they get all three points. They posted:
What Next for Both Sides
Despite the celebrations, Michael Carrick insisted post-match that United must remain grounded, warning that momentum can disappear as quickly as it arrives and stressing that his team still has a lot to focus on and work on. For United fans, though, belief has undeniably returned.
Arsenal, meanwhile, must respond quickly. Attention now turns to Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League clash against Kairat Almaty in their final league-phase game — a fixture that fans hope will provide both redemption and momentum as pressure mounts on Arteta and his squad.
