Arsenal and Manchester United kicked off the latest round in the Premier League, and what a game this fixture quickly turned out to be!
Given that both teams are fighting for a top four finish and a spot in next season's UEFA Champions League, the stakes were high in this Emirates Stadium affair. The Red Devils entered this match in sixth, sitting three points behind the home side, who were in fifth at the time, meaning a defeat to the Gunners would all but kill the visitors' top four hopes.
And that's exactly what occurred, with the north London giants triumphing 3-1 thanks to goals from Nuno Tavares, Bukayo Saka, and Granit Xhaka while Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed the only goal for Rangnick's men. Neither side was convincing, but Arteta's crew did just about enough to come away with the three points.
And once again it was a memorable day for the young and promising Saka. The Englishman scored his team's second after being fouled in the box by Telles, with the penalty being awarded after a review from VAR for an offside incident. The winger calmly slotted the ball past David de Gea and set a Premier League record, becoming the youngest player to successfully net a spot kick in consecutive appearances, having done so in the 4-2 victory over Chelsea on Wednesday.
20 - At 20 years and 230 days, Bukayo Saka is the youngest player in Premier League history to score a penalty in consecutive appearances. Nerve. #ARSMUN pic.twitter.com/WGLWw9yNta
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 23, 2022
As for Manchester United, it was a terrible day, with interim boss Ralf Rangnick admitting that the top four race is over for them after this result. However, one man can hold his head up high and that is Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese ace netted almost immediately after Arsenal's second and nearly sparked a comeback for the 20-time English champions.
And that goal saw the five-time Ballon d'Or winner make history, something he has become familiar with during his illustrious career, as it was his 100th goal in the Premier League. As a result, he became the first man ever to score 100 times or more in the English top-flight, La Liga, UEFA Champions League, and in international football.
Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the first player to score 100 league goals in the Premier League and LaLiga pic.twitter.com/F0eFM3re4N
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 23, 2022
Cristiano Ronaldo is the only player to score 100+ goals in each of the following competitions:
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 23, 2022
LaLiga (311)
Premier League
Champions League (140)
And he's got 115 for Portugal as well. pic.twitter.com/6zlrNC7HAW
100+ goals in the Premier League, Champions League, LaLiga AND at international level
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 23, 2022
Cristiano Ronaldo just keeps on re-writing the history books pic.twitter.com/smJgbIpXKn
Nonetheless, Ronaldo is a competitive athlete and thus would not have liked the result. The Red Devils remain in sixth, but with West Ham sitting only two points behind, the Hammers can leapfrog Cristiano and Co. should they triumph on Sunday when they face Chelsea.