Manchester United found their way back into the contest just eight minutes after falling behind, thanks to Bryan Mbeumo taking full advantage of a costly mistake by Martin Zubimendi.
The Arsenal midfielder was caught in possession, allowing Mbeumo to pounce before calmly rounding goalkeeper David Raya and rolling the ball into an empty net at the Emirates Stadium.
The quality of the finish drew immediate praise, with former United striker Michael Owen highlighting the winger’s composure in front of goal. Owen described Mbeumo as a player he always trusts when presented with a scoring opportunity, pointing out how confidently he opened his body, sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and executed the finish with speed and assurance. According to Owen, the strike was the hallmark of a natural and highly reliable finisher.
Mbeumo’s impact has only reinforced why Manchester United made him a priority target during the summer transfer window. After an outstanding 2024/25 campaign with Brentford, where he scored 20 Premier League goals and provided eight assists, the 26-year-old quickly emerged as one of the most sought-after attacking players in England.
However, United’s pursuit of the winger was far from straightforward. Their opening two bids were turned down by Brentford, with the second offer reportedly worth £55 million up front, plus £7.5 million in potential add-ons. The drawn-out negotiations tested the patience of supporters, as United felt Brentford were inflating the player’s valuation. There were also suggestions that the London club attempted to pressure Mbeumo into lowering his wage demands in order to maximise their eventual transfer fee.
After six weeks of negotiations, United finally reached an agreement, securing Mbeumo’s services for a guaranteed £65 million, with a further £6 million in add-ons. United’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, later explained that the club had been convinced not only by Mbeumo’s outstanding goals and assists record, but also by his consistency over several Premier League seasons. Wilcox emphasised that Mbeumo’s belief in United’s long-term project and his determination to join the club made him a perfect cultural fit.
While the fee raised some eyebrows, Mbeumo has wasted little time proving his worth. Following his goal against Arsenal, he now has eight goals and one assist in 17 league appearances during the 2025/26 season. On average, he is directly involved in a goal every 171.7 minutes, underlining his efficiency in the final third.
Statistically, Mbeumo is enjoying an impressive campaign. He currently sits joint-fifth in the Premier League scoring charts, boasting a shot accuracy of 57% and a goal conversion rate of 17%. His ability to deliver in high-profile matches has been particularly notable, as he has scored against Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester City and Liverpool this season — a feat no United player has achieved in a single league campaign since Marcus Rashford in 2022/23. Remarkably, he is also the first United player to do so in his debut season since Robin van Persie during the 2012/13 title-winning campaign.
Mbeumo’s equaliser proved pivotal, reigniting belief within the United side after Arsenal’s opener. United went on to take the lead early in the second half through a stunning strike from Patrick Dorgu. Although Mbeumo was substituted in the 68th minute, his influence was clear, and replacement Matheus Cunha later scored the decisive goal after Mikel Merino had briefly restored parity.
Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, United’s transfer dealings have often been criticised, but under the Ineos-led structure, recruitment appears to be improving. While several summer signings across the league have impressed, including Martin Zubimendi and Eberechi Eze, Mbeumo is increasingly being viewed as the standout addition. Given his goals, big-game performances, work rate and versatility, his signing could be crucial as United push for Champions League qualification.
