Arsenal were impressive in their first game of 2019 as Mikel Arteta got his first win as manager of Arsenal, as the Gunners beat Manchester United 2-0 at the Emirates on New year day.

Arteta’s first two games for Arsenal ended in a 2-1 loss to Chelsea at the weekend and a 1-1 draw with Bournemouth the game before.
The Gunners had not won since the 3-1win at West Ham and played without winning any of their last 5 games.

However, the signs were good when Nicolas Pepe put the team ahead in the 8th minutes, while Sokratis added another moments before half time to set the Gunners up for a 2-0 win.
Pepe scored his fifth goal of the season after steering home the ball past David De Gea as a Sead Kolasinac’s cross was deflected onto his path.

The Ivorian also hit the post twice before providing the assist to Sokratis goal and Arsenal’s second of the game on the 42nd minute.

Manchester United rarely did enough to trouble Bernd Leno in goal despite winning 4 of their last six games as Ole Gunnar Solskajer men struggled through the game.
Arsenal are now tenth after the win with 27 points from 21 games, seven points above relegation zone and four off United in fifth.

The Gunners are nine points adrift of the last UEFA champions league spot in third where Chelsea are sittted with 36 points.

United on their own part remain in fifth with 5 points off Chelsea and they will play relegation struggles Norwich City at the Old Trafford on Saturday.

Arsenal on their part will hope to continue from where they stopped when they travel Crystal Palace for a London derby, the second in three games.

Meanwhile, Liverpool will host Sheffield united on Thursday in the last match of round 21 in the EPL