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Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez sparkle as Arsenal stun Manchester United

Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez shone in Arsenal's 3-0 win over Manchester United

Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil lived up to their billing as Arsenal blew Manchester United away in breath-taking style at the Emirates Stadium, writes Nick Wright…

What a way to silence your critics. Arsene Wenger's side produced the perfect response to their midweek collapse against Olympiacos as they stormed to a 3-0 win over Manchester United - and Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil were at the heart of an electrifying attacking display.

Wenger was not the only man under pressure in the build-up to this game. Sanchez and Ozil have provided plenty of evidence of their quality since their arrivals in north London - but there have also been doubts about their big-game credentials.

Prior to Sunday, the £77m duo had only contributed a goal and an assist between them in 16 Premier League games against United, City and Chelsea. And after Arsenal's goalless draw with Liverpool last month, Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville rightly accused them of failing to "take responsibility" when it mattered.

Neville on Arsenal 3-0 United
Neville on Arsenal 3-0 United

Gary Neville analyses Arsenal's victory over Manchester United at the Emirates.

Arsenal needed big performances from their big players more than ever against United, and they delivered in emphatic style. "It was unbelievable," Theo Walcott told Sky Sports after the game. "In that 25-minute period, no one could have dealt with us. It was some of the best football I've ever been involved in. Everything seemed to click."

It was the first time since 2001 that Arsenal have scored three goals in a league game against United, and it was the first time ever that United have conceded three goals in the opening 20 minutes. For an hour-and-a-half at the Emirates, Arsenal's frailties were forgotten.

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Arsene Wenger was delighted by Arsenal's performance against Manchester United

The first two goals came in the space of 74 scintillating seconds. Walcott spearheaded the attack brilliantly and Santi Cazorla dominated the midfield, but Ozil and Sanchez were United's tormentors-in-chief - and the former orchestrated proceedings.

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At times like these Ozil appears to operate on a different plane to his peers. He caused havoc in the space vacated by United's midfield, his vision and invention were outstanding, and his low cross for Sanchez's opener was perfectly measured.

The influence of Ozil and the precision of his passing has been absolutely fantastic.
Gary Neville

Arsenal supporters were still celebrating when he released Walcott on the left flank moments later, and his first-time finish from the return pass left David De Gea frozen to the spot. It was a joy to watch. "United can't get anywhere near them," said Neville in the commentary box. "Every pass is clinical, it's precise, it's perfect. The influence of Ozil and the precision of his passing has been absolutely fantastic."

No player completed more passes in the opposition half than Ozil in that first half, and after Sanchez had smashed Arsenal's third, there was one moment in the 34th minute that took the breath away.

Mesut Ozil puts Arsenal 2-0 up after seven minutes - one minute after Sanchez scored Arsenal's opener
Image: Ozil "came to the party" against Manchester United, according to Thierry Henry

In one swift movement, Ozil muscled Matteo Darmian out of his way, turned, killed Petr Cech's long punt with a velvet touch of his right boot, and set Sanchez away to his left. Ramsey should have scored from the Chilean's cross, but the chance wouldn't have even arisen were it not for the brilliance of Arsenal's No 11. Ozil had "come to the party", in the words of Thierry Henry - and he'd invited his friends too.

"A lot of times we've seen him against lesser opposition getting the odd goal," said Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher. "But in a really big game from a World Cup-winner worth 40 odd pounds, that was the first time."

"He's got ridiculous qualities," added Graeme Souness. "He's got a great eye for a pass than many people don't see. He's got that laid-back style which sometimes gives the impression that he's not bang at it, but he's got so much quality that you can live with that."

Alexis Sanchez scores Arsenal's first goal against Manchester United
Image: Sanchez flicks home Arsenal's first goal against Manchester United

While Ozil floated between the lines with his usual grace, Sanchez was at his explosive best as he hammered away at their floundering opposition. His ingenious flicked finish for the opener evoked memories of Nwankwo Kanu and Gianfranco Zola, and his second was struck with brutal ferocity.

The former Barcelona man is making up for lost time after failing to find the net in his first eight appearances of the season. After Leicester and Olympiacos, his second made it six goals in eight days.

All-action Alexis

Alexis Sanchez won more duels (13) than any other player on the pitch against Manchester United.

Sanchez came alive with the ball at his feet and threw himself into every challenge as if his life depended on it. His tenacity is almost super-human. The 26-year-old stands at just 5ft 7in but he won more duels (13) than any other player on the pitch against United, and in the end it took a groin injury to stop him.

Alexis Sanchez celebrates scoring the third Arsenal goal
Image: Sanchez has now scored six goals in his last three appearances

"He's one of those players that you pay to watch," said Souness. "He gets you on the edge of the seat. He's dynamic and he makes things happen in the final third. I think he's an absolute star." Henry added: "Arsenal weren't scoring a lot of goals at the beginning of the season, and I think it was purely because that guy wasn't in tune. He came back late from the Copa America, but as soon as he's confident, that's what can happen."

Sanchez and Ozil have set a precedent with this performance, and Arsenal will need their superstar duo to show the same appetite in their Champions League double-header against Bayern Munich. For now, however, Wenger has reason to smile. After a gloomy week, the Gunners are looking up. 

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