Eddie Nketiah makes VAR admission after crucial goal in Arsenal’s last-gasp win over Man Utd

Arsenal matchwinner Eddie Nketiah admitted he had concerns his decisive late strike against Manchester United was going to be ruled out.

The in-form striker had already found the net with a well-taken header during the first-half as he cancelled out an opener from Red Devils forward Marcus Rashford. Bukayo Saka put the Gunners ahead for the first time eight minutes after half-time but the visitors hit back with an equaliser from Lisandro Martinez.

However, it was Nketiah that would have the last laugh as he converted from close range to fire home his seventh goal in his last eight games in all competition and ensure his side will end the weekend five points clear of title rivals Manchester City.

There were some nerves around the Emirates Stadium as Nketiah’s goal was assessed by VAR official Michael Salisbury with the visitors claiming the striker was offside when he scored. But confirmation the goal should was soon passed to on-field official Anthony Taylor and that left Nketiah relieved that his side had claimed a crucial win to further boost their hopes of securing the Premier League title for the first time in 20 years.

He told Sky Sports: “I think you could see how much we wanted to win and how badly we wanted it for ourselves and for our fans. We kept pushing and pushing and thankfully we got the breakthrough.

“It’s being alert, being around, when you’ve got people like B (Bukayo Saka) around, chances are going to fall to you. I had one with the left, when I’ve swivelled and their keeper’s saved it. But I knew if I was around and alert, with the way we play, we’ll get a chance and thankfully I’ve taken it. I saw Martinez next to me so I knew I was onside but when you see that purple screen, your heart always goes a bit.”