Video Highlights: Arsenal 1-3 Manchester United

By Arsenal Highlights
for ArsenalHighlights.com

Published: January 31, 2010

Manchester United tore through the Arsenal defence to extend their lead in the 52nd minute. Fletcher lobbed the ball over the top for Park to run onto, the South Korean advanced on goal with only Clichy on the cover. The French defender let Park continue his run, as United had runners attacking the space behind him. It was a mistake, as the midfielder entered the penalty area and slotted coolly into the bottom left-hand corner past Almunia: 3-0 to United.

Arsenal refused to lie down and accept defeat and continued to search for a goal. Fabregas smashed goalwards from 20 yards, Van der Sar dived to his left but the shot cleared the crossbar.

Song had a half-chance for a consolation, an overhead kick in the right-hand side of the box set up the Cameroon international. He controlled on his chest and went for the bottom left corner, Van der Sar didn’t move as the ball zipped just wide of the post.

Arsene Wenger threw on Theo Walcott, Nicklas Bendtner, and Emmanuel Eboue in an attempt to breathe some life into the hosts, but time leaked away with little in the way of opportunities.

Arsenal had a consolation in the 80th minute, Nasri crossed into the penalty area from the right flank and United cleared to the edge of the box. Vermaelen hit an acrobatic volley that looked to be heading straight for Van der Sar, but it deflected off Jonny Evans and into the United goal: 3-1.

The goal invigorated the Gunners, and they piled forward in search of a second. Arshavin drove into the penalty area from the right, dancing past United defenders before Evans slid in to concede a corner. Walcott had a free header from the set piece but it lacked conviction and United cleared.

Arshavin won Arsenal a corner from the opposite flank and Vermaelen lost his marker as the ball was crossed into the middle. The Belgian defender’s head was strong, but was going straight at Van der Sar until Patrice Evra flicked the ball clear.

The comeback didn’t materialise, however, and despite five minutes of stoppage time, Arsenal couldn’t break through again. Manchester United close the gap on Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table to one point.

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