Three and easy for United

Red Devils on fire at Emirates Stadium

Last updated: 31st January 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Three and easy for United

Rooney: Landmark goal

Man of the match: Nani. Looked like the heir to Cristiano Ronaldo's crown United hoped he would be.

Goal of the match: United's counter which led to Wayne Rooney's goal was exquisite. Arsenal had no answer to the pace of Nani and Rooney finished in style.

Moment of the match: Andrey Arshavin was left to rue a number of missed opportunities early on, as the game could have been so different had Arsenal edged in front.

Talking point: Are Arsenal's hopes of taking the title over for another season? Are United capable of dislodging Chelsea at the summit?

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Wayne Rooney bagged his 100th Premier League goal as Manchester United saw off title rivals Arsenal 3-1 at Emirates Stadium.

A Manuel Almunia own goal and a well-taken effort from Park Ji-sung, either side of Rooney's effort, saw the Red Devils to a comprehensive victory against their arch-rivals.

Thomas Vermaelen did pull one back for the Gunners late on, but it was no more than a consolation.

Both sides looked dangerous on the counter early on, but it was United who made the most of their opportunities as they broke the deadlock after 33 minutes.

The impressive Nani did brilliantly to twist his way inside two defenders and get to the dead-ball line.

From there he looked to stand a cross over the head of Almunia, but the Spanish shot-stopper got a hand on the ball and turned it into his own net.

United were now rampant and added a second four minutes later as Rooney and Nani broke at pace and the former rounded off a sweeping move by steering the ball into the bottom corner.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side were in no mood to take their foot of the pedal after the interval and added a clinical third on 52 minutes.

Arsenal were ripped wide open once again and Park was left with the simplest of tasks as he bore down on goal and slid the ball calmly under the onrushing Almunia.

With 10 minutes remaining the Gunners finally found a way through but an acrobatic volley from Vermaelen, which took a big deflection off Jonny Evans, failed to change the course of the game.

Attacking threat

Arsenal, who had started the match five points behind Chelsea ahead of their trip to Stamford Bridge next weekend, began well as Andrey Arshavin got away down the left, before cutting inside and trying to curl the ball past Edwin van der Sar from a tight angle, but his shot drifted wide.

United, though, were quick to regain possession and then cut down any space for the home side.

Nani and Darren Fletcher combined as they almost played in Rooney, but William Gallas made an important blocking tackle in the six-yard box.

Alex Song - back from the African Cup of Nations - then had to hack the ball clear at the far post as United again got clear down the right far too easily.

When Arshavin - who was ineligible for last season's UEFA Champions League semi-final clash between the sides - burst away again, he lacked any support in the middle.

The Russian, though, remained Arsenal's most potent attacking threat.

In the 13th minute he skipped away down the left, cut back inside Wes Brown and curled another effort goalwards, which this time was only just wide of the far post.

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas suddenly burst into life with a surging run down the middle, before slipping in Arshavin, but the Russian lost his footing at the key moment and United cleared.

United - who have played a match more than Chelsea - slowly started to gain the upper hand and Gallas needed to make another timely tackle in the penalty area as Paul Scholes shaped to shoot.

Nani drilled the ball wide as Arsenal were again exposed in the right channel, before playing a key part in the goal which gave United the lead.

The winger skipped easily in between two defenders then chipped the ball back across goal. Almunia pushed it inside his far post, with Park ready to tap the ball into the net.

Uphill battle

Fabregas' shot following a corner was blocked, and four minutes later United were 2-0 ahead.

Again Nani was the provider, dashing clear after picking the ball up from Rooney before squaring it for the England striker to sweep home his 22nd goal of the season, low into the corner.

The Gunners faced an uphill battle to get back into the match, with Arshavin firing wide from just inside the box - as manager Arsene Wenger was left to scratch his head and look to the heavens for inspiration.

It could have been worse on 41 minutes, but Nani blazed his shot wide after more good work from Rooney down the left.

There was a hold-up at the start of the second half as Rooney received treatment following a knock on the knee in a challenge with Bacary Sagna.

The England forward, though, was soon back in the action, and tested Almunia with a fierce angled drive after cutting in from the left.

It was game over on 52 minutes, when United scored a third following another simple counter.

This time it was Park who broke clear, sprinting onto Fletcher's chip into the Arsenal half and then slotting past Almunia from just inside the box.

The Gunners were also well beaten here 3-0 by Chelsea at the end of November, before a run of seven wins from nine hauled them back into title contention.

Fabregas continued to drive his young team on, firing over and then just too close to Van der Sar, then Song volleyed wide.

Theo Walcott came on as substitute - and Arsenal pulled a goal back with 10 minutes to go when Vermaelen's volley took a deflection off Evans to wrong-foot Van der Sar.

However, there was to be no grand finale as Wenger's youngsters were again found wanting when it mattered most.

ArsenalTeam StatisticsManchester United
1Goals3
01st Half Goals2
3Shots on Target3
13Shots off Target6
4Blocked Shots3
8Corners5
9Fouls12
0Offsides0
1Yellow Cards0
0Red Cards0
80.8Passing Success75.2
18Tackles36
94.4Tackles Success77.8
53.1Possession46.9
50.6Territorial Advantage49.4
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Comments (127)

Rohit Bhardwaj (Manchester United fan) says...

Rooney you are best !! Better than C.Rolando . Great win last night and had to woke @ 12 am to watch the match but no regrets ...MAN UTD won .... but arsenal ..phew got their tactics all wrong. Wenger need to solve all sorts of problems. firstly team is immature as they are youngsters and have less experience in dealing with counter attacking football .. secondly, Wenger plz buy good players before transfer season ends thirdly, I have no words to say that MAN UTD IS THE BEST AND WILL REMAIN BEST . NO MATTER WHAT cheers everybody

Posted 09:59 1st February 2010

Razza Bee (Manchester United fan) says...

United are way too good for arsenal, better players in every position, better manager, better fans, BETTER TEAM! yours faithfully Razza xx

Posted 09:48 1st February 2010

Mario Christodoulou (Arsenal fan) says...

As a die hard Arsenal fan i was sickened and very upset watching Man Utd take advantage of 'boyish' defending and goalkeeping. We gifted them all 3 goals. We were not played off the pitch. Their 1st was a lucky break and a stupid Almunia mistake....he has to go!! the 2nd and 3rd were counter attacks where Denilson didnt pick up Rooney, Denilson has to go too. Arshavin was wasteful and we didnt look dangerous. Wenger has not bought a striker, even though Robbie Keane, Roman Pavlichenko, Victor Moses and Jermaine Beckford were ALL available to buy. Wenger has messed up and if we do not win the league or Champions League this season, i think Wenger should leave. He has done all he can. We need to spend money to get results and he doesn't have the guts. No Trophy = WENGER OUT!!

Posted 09:45 1st February 2010

Mbaye Jammeh (Arsenal fan) says...

I think the win was good for Arsenal, This is the result of being stingy. Arsene Wenger need to buy players and fortify his team and stop cutting cost for the shareholders. The team, the fans, all and sundry need a team that win cups. Wenger must be dreaming if he thinks Arsenal can win a cup with this team of small boys. They are good, yes but inexperience and will not just be able to handle teams like Man U, Chelsea, R Madrid or Barca. These teams spend good money on good players and therefore acheive results. I think Arsene Wenger should stop being adamant on his old fashion way of thinking. let him buy players or just be sacked. does he own Arsenal?

Posted 09:25 1st February 2010

Humphrey Shenge (Arsenal fan) says...

I have been an Arsenal fan for 21 years.Whilst I respect Wenger but I think the man is limited in his vision and footballing tactics.I do not think Arsenal will ever win the Champions League under the guidance of Wenger,though I hope I'm wrong on this. The reason being the amount spent on recruiting talented footballers by clubs like Man United,Barcelona,Chelsea and Real Madrid,is phenomenal. Then our Mr Wenger refuses to buy and I often wonder whether there are any targets set for him and how strong really is the Arsenal Board. Since Mr David Dein left,things have been spiralling downwards with good players being sold and the team generally weakened. I was not surprised by the result against Man United.

Posted 09:22 1st February 2010

Simon Weids (Manchester United fan) says...

Great Performance from United! but All you Arsenal fans who are moaning and complaining are over reacting!! i mean you have been on a great run and just came unstuck at the hands of another Great team like yourselves! it happens! it happened to us on the last few occasions we have played liverpool.. but it doesnt mean you should critisize your manager and team! Besides you are missing your best player in Van Persie!

Posted 22:49 31st January 2010

Jamie Smart (Manchester United fan) says...

I am a Man Utd fan and do not think the game was a dissapointing one,Man Utd were just too good for the Gunners and just cruised past them.Although i do think the fact that Nani's effort was given as an Almunia own goal because even though Almunia did get the last touch,it wasn't a touch that decided the direction of the ball,if Almunia had left it,it would have gone in so i think Nani deserves the credit.One of Wayne Rooney's 4 goals against Hull hit the hand of Myhill before going in but that was given as a Rooney goal and Nani's shot shouldn't have been any different.Let Nani have the goal!.But back to the actual game,i believe that Utd were top class today and a 4th consecutive title is ours if Utd continue to play as they did.

Posted 22:48 31st January 2010

Mike Mcquade (Arsenal fan) says...

once again arsenal got their tactics wrong --its no surprise as ferguson has adopted the same tactics last few times theyve visited yet wenger still hasnt picked up on it ; having said that , utd were hungrier ,showed more character and derservedly won ; arsenal need a top keeper --almunia simply isnt good enough--utd have van der sar,chelsea have cech and both these keepers make huge contributions to their team--what does almunia give us --apart from palpitations ;

Posted 22:47 31st January 2010

Terry Collier (Arsenal fan) says...

Look lets put it into perspective the amount of money Man U Chelsea Liverpool and now Man City spend on players ,compared to Arsenal , i actually think they over achieve they do well with their resources to stay in touch with the big spenders you only had to look at the two subs bences today to see that.

Posted 22:46 31st January 2010

Kole Babalola (Manchester United fan) says...

What a match, What a result, lt was a great game and l was very happy how the red devils thrashed Arsenal on their own ground today by 3-1. Hail Sir Alex Ferguson and all the players!!! Up Man Utd.

Posted 22:44 31st January 2010

Paul Calway (Arsenal fan) says...

Yes we lost but what sickens me , and Man Utd have done this season after season and that is , when teams are attacking them they tend to foul and then regroup their players behind the ball , Arsenal could of done that today but did we ? No we let the opposition play and dictate , we need to buy a big , strong central midfielder al-a Viera type , and a proven goalscorer , Bendtner is useless , Walcott thinks he can run through players , Clichy looked slow and overall we were poor , I was disgusted at Song's booking for going for the ball , Nani got him booked with his " I'm dying " act , pratt . All in all I hate Utd more than I do Spurs so this really has left a sour taste . Still I'm no richer or poorer from it so !!!

Posted 22:40 31st January 2010

Keith Kilbourne (Manchester United fan) says...

Along with most Man U fans i was very concerned about this coming season without ronaldo and teves but the team have responded fantasticilly Rooney as come out of the shadow of Ronaldo and as proved if proof is needed what a great manager Sir Alex is in buying him also delighted to see how well Nani is now playing was worried as Giggs is coming to the end of his playing career

Posted 22:35 31st January 2010

Fraizer Suarez (Arsenal fan) says...

Arsenal's defence wanted to score goals...they were eager to score a goal because they were losing. What ARSENE WENGER does not realize he needs a striker quick...this is why i dislike him...he does not sign any player he thinks youth players can do it all. there was certain players he should go for and i think so too. Kerlon - brazilian , sergio canales , Beckford and there was a player for barcelona he should follow them up quick through bids out and just hope...the most important thing is we need a striker

Posted 22:32 31st January 2010

Mark Tierney (Arsenal fan) says...

That is now 5 games in a row we have lost to United. Got outclassed by Chelsea twice at home and it's not looking good. How Wenger keeps picking Denilson is confusing. All 3 goals United scored Denilson was gulity of mistakes. Wenger has to admit defeat with his faith in this bunch of players. In the summer we need a new goalkeeper, defensive midfielder and top striker if we going to get near the title.

Posted 22:24 31st January 2010

Muhammad Adeel (Arsenal fan) says...

I was gutted to see arsenal's performance today. after being beaten at old trafford we walked back with our heads held high but today it was embarrassing. i know it is not over yet. we picked ourselves up after 3-0 by chelski. the problem is that mr wenger should see an optician. when asked why he doesnot buy a player he says that there are not better players available than our present lot. u must be blind. we today had a donkey keeper, switched off arshavin and when denilson was substituted only then i knew that he was on pitch. english people should be thankful to heavens that almunia didnot change his nationality. in the time left, plz buy some good striker. we may earn more by spending on quality player than by losing in champions league n fourth in league.

Posted 22:20 31st January 2010

Graham Mayling (Arsenal fan) says...

I'm a season ticket holder and supporter for 55 years.I've just returned home to Gloucestershire having watched my beloved Arsenal lose to Man. Utd.The pre match atmosphere was full of expectation and hope but afterwards so many of us feel let down and disappointed.This team is good enough to regain a top four place but is not good enough to win a top flight competition.We all know that and have known it since the start of the season and for the last 5 years.That is why we have all been hoping for new signings to move the team on that extra step.But what do we get??Sol Campbell back again and that's it.I believe we have the worst goalkeeper in the Premier League and two full backs that cant tackle nor produce a decent cross when they attack.Gallas is a winner, Vermaelen and Song will become world class players and Diaby could be anything he wants to be.Cesc is fabulous and Arshavin is very good when played in his best position.Excluding RVP,the rest are just good squad players. Bendtner's camio performance today reminded us of what we had been missing while he was injured,terrible first touch and self belief beyond his capabilities.I live in hope that Rosicky and Eduardo will regain the form they showed before their serious injuries but I've lost hope in Theo Walcott ever being able to co ordinate his mind with his speed and his feet.It hurts me to say it but altrhough this team plays wonderful football,it is not good enough to win top trophies and you know what? Arsene Knows too !!!!!!!!

Posted 22:18 31st January 2010

Yaasiin Bawamia (Manchester City fan) says...

Hello, everybody!! I am a City fan and I just want to pass a message to all premier league players. Make sure not to get Wayne Rooney injured as he is the MAN who will lead us to World Cup Glory. After tonight's perfomance let us sing a song to celebrate both Manchester's victories. Glory Glory Manchester, Glory Glory Manchester and they go Marching ON ON ON !!

Posted 22:13 31st January 2010

Ismael Nazar (Manchester United fan) says...

Arsenal without Van Persie against average teams = Quality. Arsenal without Van Persie against top opposition = No end product. I'll take nothing away from the United boys today, they did the job fantastically, but Arsenal lack that firepower against top sides when Van Persie is injured. Fabregas can't carry his team all season, and as for this talk about Wayne Rooney carrying Manchester United, Rubbish! Michael Carrick provides a solid support for our attack and defence, he provides confidence throughout the team. Then we have Nani who looks like a changed man, fairplay to him, he has obviously worked hard to oust Valencia out of the team, but finally Patrice Evra, twice the left back of Gael Clichy! Even Dimitar Berbatov looked good for 5 minutes, I'm sensing a fourth title, but who knows, Chelsea are the only competitor in truth, they are a top side.

Posted 22:03 31st January 2010

Robin Taitz (Manchester United fan) says...

Stoked for Nani. Work hard and he's the next Ronaldo.

Posted 22:02 31st January 2010

Niall Moggan (Arsenal fan) says...

I'm just so disapointed that we had a good team out and got beat. united were terrific without a doubt but we need more exprience in the team or we will never win the league again. we can't compete with united or chelsea, we need to spend cash on more experience players and need another striker. without v.persie or bendtner we haven't got any striker with height, thats our problem and unitil we get that, we will contine to struggle to win the league or the champions league

Posted 22:01 31st January 2010

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