Arsenal lose 0-1 to Manchester United at Old Trafford
Van Persie, who scored for United against Arsenal in both games last season following his £24m move, gave United a precious three points with a fine 27th-minute header from Wayne Rooney’s corner.
Gunners manager Arsene Wenger insisted before the game that Van Persie was still “an Arsenal man” but the Dutch striker showed no hesitation in celebrating the goal that pushed United up to fifth in the table and within five points of their opponents.
Wenger revealed sickness in his camp had deprived him of defender Per Mertesacker and midfielder Tomas Rosicky, while Mikel Arteta was fit to start despite also feeling unwell. This may have contributed towards a decidedly flat first 45 minutes.
It was the familiar figure of Van Persie who decided the destiny of this game, getting away from Olivier Giroud to meet Rooney’s delivery and direct a fine header over Kieran Gibbs on the line.
Play was held up twice before half-time for head injuries to Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny and Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic who collided with defender Phil Jones and Keeper De Gea respectively.
Arsenal started the second half with greater purpose including two perfect crosses from full-back Bacary Sagna that somehow went untouched, it was United’s fans who were celebrating a win of great significance at the final whistle.
It was a disappointing end to a week in which Arsenal made major statements of intent against Liverpool in the Premier League and away to Dortmund in the Champions League.
The last team to stop Arsenal from scoring in a league match was David Moyes’s Everton on 16 April – 16 games ago and Moyes’ United will now feel they are building momentum after a third successive league win.