Arsenal down Manchester United in twenty minutes (Match Report)

Arsenal down Manchester United in twenty minutes (Match Report)

Arsenal proved to be far from a spent force with a first half display that rubbished the good old saying that football is a game of two halves.

The gunners romped past Manchester United within twenty minutes of play as the Red Devils got no answer for the offensive power of the north Londoners. Louis a Van Gaal had opted for a conservative midfield approach with Bastian Schweinsterggar and Michael Carrick getting the nod behind Juan Mata while Arsene Wenger stuck to the expected line up with Gabriel coming in for the injured Laurent Koscielny.

Arsenal started off brightly as the entire United back line were in six and sevens, and with just seven minutes on the clock, Mesut Ozil found Alexis Sanchez in the box and the Chilean back heeled past David DeGea in the United goal. Just when the visitors were trying to recover, Arsenal struck almost immediately on the counter with a sleek move that Mesut Ozil finished off, leaving David DeGea dumbfounded with no answer of movement.

Manchester United tried throwing everything forward in search of a response but they paid dearly on the counter again as Theo Walcott turned Chris Smalling and fed Alexis Sanchez who danced past Darmian and Blind before unleashing a screamer that was too lightening to stop for a bewildered DeGea. It was all Arsenal afterwards as Aaron Ramsey could have made it four after getting on the end of a fine Alexis Sanchez cross but his wayward lob flew past the upright with the United goalkeeper well beaten.

Manchester United's only chance in the first half fell to their teenage sensation Anthony Martial who turned Per Metersacker with four minutes remaining in the half but his effort was saved at point blank by Petr Cech. Damian had to obstruct Sanchez as the Chilean broke away afterwards on another Arsenal counter.

Van Gaal brought on Marouane Fellaini and Antonio Valencia at halftime in place of Darmian and the ineffective Memphis and it looked to pay off; United controlled possession and Wayne Rooney drew a fine save from Cech after Gabriel cleared into his path. On the other end, DeGea dealt with a tame Mesut Ozil shot after a fine Carzola pass. The latter's freedom in the middle was so telling that Carrick and Schweini looked ordinary.

Olivier Giroud came on for Theo Walcott who drew a standing ovation from the crowd and fluffed a glorious chance towards the end, the Frenchman got on the end of a Bellerin pass but directed his shot at De Gea. The worrying sign of Sanchez hobbling off for Kieran Gibbs may hunt the gunners but their first EPL win over United since Aaron Ramsey's goal handed them a victory in 2011 would go down as a moment to savor in their golden history.