Fernandes v Odegaard doesn't have quite the same ring as Keane v Vieira, with respect.
No matter. The Gunners had points to accrue to keep themselves well ahead of the chasing pack, whilst the Red Devils, seemingly rejuvenated under Michael Carrick, had another big point to prove.
United were looking to win their first H2H since September 2022, during which time they'd managed to score just four goals in the six fixtures between the two sides.
Nine wins and two draws at home in the league this season for Mikel Arteta's side spoke to the difficulties that the Red Devils were likely to encounter, too.
Current form might also have suggested that a draw was on the cards, given that the North Londoners came into the match unbeaten in seven league games and the visitors hadn't lost in five.
Four changes from Arteta
In a big departure from the reign of Ruben Amorim, Carrick didn't tinker with his starting XI and named an unchanged side from the one that surprised Manchester City with the depth of their performance in the derby at Old Trafford.
Arteta's four changes - the most he's made from one match to another this season - saw Gabriel Martinelli, Viktor Gyokeres, Ben White and Noni Madueke replaced by Piero Hincapie, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, and Leandro Trossard.
Captain Martin Odegaard was making his ninth appearance against United, meaning only Tony Adams (14) has made more against the Red Devils for Arsenal.
As might've been expected, the league leaders took the game to their visitors, and with 13 minutes played, United still hadn't made a single pass in the Gunners' half.
Arsenal quicker out of the blocks
A collective 67% possession from Arsenal as well as four attempts at goal, albeit three were blocked and the other off target, evidenced the hosts' early dominance.
Two blocked shots in the 23rd minute were all Carrick's side had to show for their efforts before Lisandro Martinez put through his own net to give Arsenal the lead.
Ominously, the hosts had avoided defeat in the previous 15 games that they'd scored first in, whilst United had failed to win the last three that they'd gone behind in.
In a sign of how well the visiting players have responded to their new manager, United were soon back in the game thanks to an uncharacteristic wayward pass from Martin Zubimendi.
Mbeumo draws United level
The Spaniard ended the game with 29 of his 34 passes finding their target, but one of the five that didn't fell right at the feet of the in-form Bryan Mbeumo.
Just a third error leading to a goal in Arsenal's season was the second that Zubimendi had made.
After rounding David Raya, Mbeumo silenced the Emirates with a crisp finish for his 50th Premier League goal. In so doing, he also became the first United player since Robin van Persie in 2012/13 to score against Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City in his debut season for the club.
Kobbie Mainoo has been like a player reborn under Carrick, and was the only player in the first half to complete all of his passes (21). However, he also lost all five of his one-on-one duels.
With each of the last four Premier League meetings between the sides at the Emirates Stadium being level at half-time, and Arsenal going on to win each of the previous three, United's task in the second 45 was obvious.
Step forward, Patrick Dorgu, to score one of the goals of the season in the first five minutes after the break.
Some neat interplay with Bruno Fernandes, as the pair danced around Arsenal's midfield, preceded a shot that arrowed in off the crossbar.
The Portuguese's 10th assist of the season was also his third in the last three games, a time frame in which Dorgu had now scored two and assisted another, as United's 'phoenix from the flames' resurgence continued.
The Dane's involvement more generally was in stark contrast to his efforts earlier in the season. For example, the three goals scored in his last six league appearances compare to none in his previous 28.
Fourteen total one-on-one duels contested was more than anyone else on the pitch, with only Gabriel Magalhaes winning more aerial duels (seven) than Dorgu's five, and only Declan Rice winning possession six times, equaling the United man's output.
Under Mikel Arteta, that goal represented just the fifth time Arsenal had scored first in a Premier League home game before later falling behind - going on to lose three of the previous four.
Off-colour Saka
Though Bukayo Saka's seven touches in United's box and three total shots were more than his teammates, the England international again looked off colour in a big game, and in a season that's beginning to pass him by.
His 77.1% pass accuracy was even worse than Raya's, with the keeper only making six fewer passes than Saka's 27.
With 15 to play, Arsenal had attempted 19 crosses from the wide areas, and yet still hadn't created a big chance - the third time this season the North Londoners had failed in this regard (home and away v Liverpool being the others).
Cunha wins it for United
A quadruple substitution just before the hour from Arteta indicated his concerns, whilst United's swapping of Matheus Cunha for Mbeumo would reap the benefits late on.
A 15th goal from a set-piece - more than any other Premier League side - courtesy of Mikel Merino, set up a grandstand finish, but no sooner were the hosts on level terms than they were behind again, with Cunha's delightful long-range curling effort worthy of winning any game.
For just the sixth time in the 117 EPL matches that Arteta had taken charge of with Arsenal - and the first since December 2023 against Luton Town (4-3) - his side had conceded three times.
Not since October 2008 (Tottenham - Jenas and Bentley) had a visiting side scored two or more goals from outside the box in a league game against the Gunners either.
In many respects, Arsenal could've done little more on the day. For the most part, the Gabriel-William Saliba partnership was rock solid, and 76% possession over the final 15 minutes was enough of an indication that the North Londoners can still pass teams to death.
However, games are won by moments, and the hosts' midfield dawdling on just those two occasions (Dorgu, Cunha) saw them undone.
For Carrick, he still remains unbeaten in his two spells as United coach, and suddenly the dark clouds are clearing above Old Trafford.
