EPL: Rice Rescues Point, but Arsenal’s Title Hopes Crumble After 1-1 Draw at Old Trafford

Updated by Anastasios Gordon Sekandi at 04:56 EAT Monday 10 March 2025

Man Utd 1-1 Arsenal: Declan Rice celebrating after scoring and equalizer to rescues a dramatic draw for Arsenal at Old Trafford 9 March 2025. *Courtesy Photo*.

Declan Rice’s late equalizer helped Arsenal escape with a 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, but the result dealt a heavy blow to their Premier League title ambitions. The Gunners now trail league leaders Liverpool by a daunting 15 points.

Manchester United struck first, with Bruno Fernandes curling in a spectacular free-kick in first-half stoppage time. Arsenal pressed for a response, and Rice delivered in the 74th minute, slotting home to secure a point for the visitors.

The Arsenal wall was measured 11.2 yards away from the ball instead of the regulation 10 at the free-kick which Bruno Fernandes scored from. *Courtesy Photo*.

Despite the fightback, the draw all but extinguishes Arsenal’s title challenge, shifting their focus to locking down a Champions League spot. They remain four points ahead of third-placed Nottingham Forest and hold an eight-point cushion over fifth-placed Manchester City.

The result also underscored Arsenal’s attacking struggles, with key forwards Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli all sidelined through injury. The Gunners’ lack of clinical finishing ultimately cost them a chance to keep pace with Liverpool in the title race.