Arsenal kept up their hopes of the title with a solid, if unspectacular, win over Manchester United. Goals from Jurrien Timber and William Saliba, both from corners, were enough to secure the three points for the hosts at a wet Emirates.

This result and performance will have told new Man Utd manager Ruben Amorim a lot about the size of the task on his hands.

Here Telegraph Sport appraises both hosts and visitors – who was as wet as the weather and who was able to shine brightly in the gloom?

Arsenal (4-3-3)

David Raya

Received a standing ovation from the home crowd after a fabulous save to deny Matthijs De Ligt. Assured in possession, as he always is. 7/10

Jurrien Timber

Not signed for his aerial power but was in the right place to score his first Arsenal goal. Such a dynamic and versatile footballer. 7/10

William Saliba

Arsenal’s standout player in the first half, surging past challenges and stopping counter-attacks, and then a goalscorer in the second. 8/10

Jakub Kiwior

Filling in for the injured Gabriel, he did an excellent job. United’s forwards offered nothing, in part because Kiwior and Saliba were so physically dominant. 8/10

Oleksandr Zinchenko

Booked in the second half after losing Amad Diallo but had provided control and patience with his passing before his substitution for Mikel Merino. 6/10

Martin Odegaard

Struggled at times in the first half as United restricted his space in midfield. As the game opened up, though, the Arsenal captain began to find his stride. 7/10

Thomas Partey

Like Odegaard, he grew into the game after the break. Moved to right-back in the second half and was solid in that defensive role. 6/10

Declan Rice

Drove Arsenal forward after the break, going close to scoring and then creating Timber’s goal. United could not handle his power in midfield. 8/10

Bukayo Saka

Will be disappointed he did not score from Odegaard’s neat pass but was a constant threat in the second half. His set piece deliveries are deadly. 7/10

Kai Havertz

German forward was unable to link up with Odegaard and Saka as normal, instead having to battle with United’s three centre-backs. Kept working. 6/10 

Gabriel Martinelli

A difficult night as United doubled up on him. When he had space, he did not make the most of it. Replaced by Leandro Trossard, who was more dangerous. 5/10

Substitutes

Merino (Zinchenko 71), Trossard (Martinelli 71), Jorginho (Odegaard 90)

Manchester United (3-4-2-1)

Andre Onana

Did well to deny Saka at his near post but could he have done more to reduce Arsenal’s threat at corners? A tough ask against Mikel Arteta’s giants. 6/10

Matthijs de Ligt

Never looked entirely comfortable in possession and was unable to stop Arsenal’s set-piece dominance. Almost scored with a powerful header. 5/10

Harry Maguire

Booked for time wasting in the second half as United tried to break Arsenal’s flow. Substituted before the hour mark for Leny Yoro. 6/10

Noussair Mazraoui

Few players have defended as adeptly against Saka as Mazraoui did in the first half. As with so many of his team-mates, though, the second half was far harder. 6/10

Diogo Dalot

Switched from the right wing to the left in the second half but could not provide much attacking threat from either position. Chasing Saka is an unenviable task. 5/10 

Manuel Ugarte

If the first half was a demonstration of his positional intelligence, then the second highlighted his physical shortcomings in comparison to Rice. 5/10

Bruno Fernandes

United lost their grip on the midfield after the break, with Fernandes and Ugarte swimming against the tide after a good first half. 5/10

Tyrell Malacia

A spirited defensive effort from a player making his first league start since May 2023. Removed at half-time as he continues to build his fitness. 7/10

Mason Mount

Produced a crucial block to deny Rice but was unable to offer much in attack before he was substituted after an hour. 6/10

Alejandro Garnacho

Diligent in his defensive work but, like his team-mates, contributed precious little to United’s counter-attacking threat. Failed to trouble Timber. 5/10

Rasmus Hojlund

Neither quick nor strong enough to truly test Saliba, who was always in control. United needed more from their frontman as the going got tough. 5/10

Substitutes

Diallo (Malacia 46), Rashford (Mount 59), Zirkzee (Garnacho 59), Yoro (Maguire 59), Antony (Hojlund 79)