Winger mocks Gunners’ reliance on set-piece goals
Manchester United star Amad Diallo has taken a savage swipe at Arsenal supporters following the Red Devils’ dramatic 3-2 victory at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, January 25, 2026.
The Ivorian international, who has found a new lease of life under interim manager Michael Carrick, used social media to mock the Premier League leaders after they suffered their first home defeat of the season. In a series of viral posts on X, Amad reminded the Gunners that their “only hope” of scoring against the resurgent United side was through corner kicks.
The online banter began when Amad revisited a pre-match post from an Arsenal fan who had confidently predicted a 4-0 win for the home side, claiming they had “seen the script.” After the final whistle confirmed United’s victory, the winger responded by sharing the match scoreline with the caption, “Enjoy KID.” When the disgruntled supporter warned the player not to tweet at him again, Amad doubled down on the trolling, writing, “Your only hope is corner. Be humble KID.”
The remark was a pointed reference to the match’s tactical flow, where Arsenal struggled to create chances from open play. Both of the Gunners’ goals came from set-pieces, including a Mikel Merino equalizer that originated from a Bukayo Saka corner. Despite Mikel Arteta’s side dominating possession for large periods, they were ultimately undone by clinical counter-attacking goals from Bryan Mbeumo, Patrick Dorgu, and a late winner from Matheus Cunha.
Carrick’s tactical masterclass dents Arsenal’s title bid
The victory marks a sensational start to the Michael Carrick era at Old Trafford, following his appointment as interim head coach. Under his guidance, Manchester United has now secured back-to-back wins against Manchester City and Arsenal within a single week. Carrick’s decision to deploy Bryan Mbeumo as a central striker and keep Amad on the flank proved to be a masterstroke, as the Red Devils exploited the space left by Arsenal’s high defensive line.
Arsenal took an early lead through a Lisandro Martinez own goal, but the momentum shifted after a defensive lapse allowed Mbeumo to level the scores before halftime. The second half was a showcase of individual brilliance from the United stars, with Patrick Dorgu rifling a long-range effort into the top corner. Although Merino pulled the Gunners level in the 84th minute, Matheus Cunha silenced the Emirates crowd just three minutes later with a curling strike that secured all three points for the visitors.
The result has massive implications for the Premier League title race, as Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table has been slashed to just four points. Manchester City and Aston Villa are now breathing down the necks of the North London side, who have struggled to find their rhythm in recent weeks. For Manchester United, the win propels them into the top four, marking a significant turnaround from their early-season struggles under the previous regime.
Statistics highlight Arsenal’s growing set-piece dependency
Amad’s “corners” jibe is backed by data that shows Arsenal has become the most lethal set-piece team in Europe. So far in the 2025/2026 season, Arteta’s side has scored an incredible 26 goals from dead-ball situations, the highest tally across the top five leagues. While this has been a vital weapon for the Gunners, critics and rival players are increasingly pointing out their perceived lack of “spark” and creativity in regular play.
| Key Match Stats: Arsenal vs Man United | Arsenal | Man United |
| Final Score | 2 | 3 |
| Possession | 61% | 39% |
| Goals from Set-Pieces | 2 | 0 |
| Goals from Open Play | 0 | 3 |
The absence of a consistent goal threat from open play has become a worrying trend for Arsenal fans. Star winger Bukayo Saka is currently on a 13-game goal drought, while big-money signing Viktor Gyokeres has struggled to find the net from non-penalty situations in his last eleven league outings. This over-reliance on corners and free-kicks was exactly what Amad sought to highlight in his post-match celebrations, adding a layer of psychological warfare to the fierce rivalry.
As the Red Devils prepare for their next clash against Fulham, the mood in the camp is at an all-time high. Amad Diallo’s confidence on and off the pitch reflects a team that finally believes it can compete with the very best. For Arsenal, the focus now shifts to their Champions League fixture against Kairat, where they will be desperate to prove they can do more than just score from a corner.
