ARSENAL ended Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s unbeaten run in the English Premier League (EPL) with a 2-0 win over Manchester United on Sunday to leapfrog its rival into the top four.

Granit Xhaka scored with a swerving long-range strike in the first half and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang doubled the lead from the penalty spot in the 69th minute at the Emirates Stadium. The win puts Arsenal back into fourth place, two points ahead of United, and handed Solskjaer his first league loss since taking over as United manager in December. The Norwegian had 10 wins and two draws in his first 12 games.

Arsenal is now just one point behind north London rival Tottenham, with United fifth and Chelsea sixth, in an increasingly tight fight for the Champions League spots.

The result was a reversal from the team’s fortunes in France in midweek as well, when United beat Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 to advance in the Champions League and Arsenal lost 3-1 at Rennes in the Europa League.

Arsenal coach Unai Emery deployed a surprisingly offensive-minded lineup with Mesut Ozil, Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette in attack, and the hosts put United under pressure from the start. (SD-Agencies)