Arsenal 3-0 Manchester United

Arsenal stunned Manchester United with three goals in the opening 20 minutes as the Gunners moved up to second in the Premier League table. 

United had no answer to Arsenal's opening burst as Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil scored twice in 74 seconds.

Sanchez added a third from 18 yards as the Gunners beat United for just the second time in 14 league meetings.

United improved after the break but Arsenal substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain hit the crossbar late on.

Defeat leaves Louis van Gaal's side in third place, behind Arsenal on goal difference.

Wenger relieves the pressure

Arsenal's Champions League defeat at home to Olympiakos in midweek left them in danger of failing to reach the last 16 and manager Arsene Wenger in the face of heavy criticism.

Wenger was forced to defend his selection of goalkeeper David Ospina, describing recent criticism as "not analysis of football". He also called the press "boring".
 
But his side were anything but in an opening half which saw them tear Manchester United apart, almost at will.

With their first real attack Sanchez back-heeled in at the near post after good work from Aaron Ramsey and Ozil, and the Germany playmaker then added the second a minute later after Walcott ran at a struggling defence.

Sanchez shrugged Matteo Darmian aside to add his second with a brilliant 18-yard strike which brought up an unwanted record for the visitors, as they conceded three goals in the opening 20 minutes of a Premier League game for the first time.

And it should have been four just after the half-hour mark as Ramsey volleyed wide from close range when completely unmarked.

With the game won, Arsenal failed to repeat their attacking display in the second half until substitute Oxlade-Chamberlain chipped David de Gea and hit the crossbar in injury time.

The Gunners are now just two points behind leaders Manchester City going into a two-week international break which had the potential to be uncomfortable for their fans and for Wenger.

Man of the match: Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)

 

The Arsenal forward made it six goals in three games this week and was a tireless menace throughout

Manager reaction

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger:
 
"We did not give them any chances to score and that was vital. We surprised them with our start.
"From Petr Cech to Theo Walcott we only had superb performances. I have managed many strong teams and never had one that played 60 games at the same level. You have to accept that we are human beings."

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal: 
 
"It was a very bad start, without aggression and the will to win. That is the first time I have seen that from my team. I did not expect that.

"We have won our last four matches - I gave the players a day off because they were tired. On Saturday the training was normal, I was very amazed to see that.
"All teams will have a dip."


Shaw Post believes that Arsene Wenger will very happy with how his side responded from their catastrophic defeat against Olympiacos in midweek. Arsenal started the game with sheer determination grit and desire. 

Their determination showed greatly in the first ten minutes as they overpowered Manchester United's midweek tiredness and familiar defensive frailties to go into a 2-0 lead courtesy of goals from Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil.

Sanchez's second goal in the 19th minute wrapped up the victory as Arsenal went 3-0 up in the first twenty minutes. This proved too much for Manchester United in the second half. 

Arsenal will very happy with their display going into the international break as their victory put them up to second in the table going into their next league game against Watford after the international break.

As for Manchester United they will be hurting after they were outplayed by Arsenal and ended up losing 3-0. They will be hoping to bounce back when they face Everton after the international break.