English-born Ghanaian striker Eddie Nketiah was the hero for Arsenal on Sunday as they defeated Manchester United on Sunday at Emirates Stadium.
The striker scored twice with the winner coming in the 90th minute as they opened a five-point lead over second-placed Manchester City.
Manchester City's earlier win over Wolverhampton Wanderers applied pressure on the Gunners but they responded with character and quality, even after going behind, to secure a five-point advantage at the top with a game in hand.
United's man of the moment Marcus Rashford fired home a superb right-foot strike from 25 yards to give them a 17th-minute lead.
Arsenal responded fiercely and were level seven minutes later when Granit Xhaka's cross created a heading opportunity for Nketiah, who got in ahead of Aaron Wan-Bissaka at the far post.
Bukayo Saka's angled drive put Arsenal ahead eight minutes after the break but their advantage lasted only six minutes, with Lisandro Martinez heading his first goal for the club after keeper Aaron Ramsdale dropped a corner.
Arsenal looked the more likely winners in the closing stages, with Saka hitting the post and Nketiah denied by David de Gea's outstanding save.
The pressure paid off in the closing moments when Nketiah - a striker who is doing an outstanding job filling in for injured Gabriel Jesus - turned in from close range to spark wild scenes of celebration at Emirates.
YOU CANNOT SCRIPT THIS ????
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) January 22, 2023
It's checked by VAR but Arsenal lead 3-2 thanks to Nketiah in stoppage time!#ARSMUN pic.twitter.com/kODMn1ADAv
EDDIE NKETIAH ????
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) January 22, 2023
The Gunners fire back through their striker!#ARSMUN pic.twitter.com/7dVoBcO6K9
