United sweep Gunners aside at Emirates

Posted Monday, February 01, 2010 by PA

Manchester United moved to within a point of Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea as title rivals Arsenal were swept aside 3-1 at Emirates Stadium.

Nani opened the scoring on 33 minutes when his chip across goal was palmed in by Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia, before in-form England striker Wayne Rooney swept home a second following a quick counter attack.

A third on the break from Ji-Sung Park at the start of the second half effectively ended the contest, although defender Thomas Vermaelen netted a consolation for the out-muscled Gunners.

Arsenal, who started the match five points behind Chelsea ahead of their trip to Stamford Bridge next weekend, began well and Andrey Arshavin posed a constant threat.

But United - who have played a match more than the Blues - slowly started to gain the upper hand before Nani created the opener.

The winger skipped easily in between two defenders and chipped the ball back across goal where Almunia could only push it inside his far post with Park ready to tap home.

Four minutes later and United were 2-0 ahead. Again Nani was the provider, dashing clear before squaring it for Rooney to sweep in his 22nd goal of the season.

The Gunners faced an uphill battle to get back into the match and it was game over after 52 minutes as United scored a third following another simple counter, this time Park slotting past Almunia from just inside the box.

Arsenal, who were also beaten here 3-0 by Chelsea at the end of November, did pull a goal back with 11 minutes to go when Vermaelen's volley took a deflection off Jonny Evans.

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