Arsenal vs. Manchester United: 10 Things We Learned in the 2-1 United Win

Manchester United made it a Premier League double over Arsenal with a 2-1 victory at the Emirates Stadium to follow up their 8-2 thrashing of the Gunners earlier in the season; here we take a look at 10 things today's game taught us.

The Gunners came into the game on the back of a couple of league defeats and, despite being at home, would probably have rather been facing any other opposition.

United, for their part, have bounced back strongly from back-to-back Premier League defeats to Blackburn and Newcastle, and though they were second-best for a short spell after the Gunners equalised in this match, never really looked like they would end up losing the game.

After a quiet first half it was left to Antonio Valencia to nod the away side in front, before Robin van Persie equalised mid-way through the second half.

A winning goal came from Danny Welbeck with 10 minutes left on the clock.

Arsenal Need to Spend on Quality to Have Any Chance of Another EPL Title

Arsene Wenger will point to chances spurned by the likes of Robin van Persie and Tomas Rosicky as to how, on another day, Arsenal could have taken the three points instead of Manchester United—but the fact of the game is, the Gunners were well below the quality needed to take the win at home.

They had spells where the pace of their wide men gave United trouble, but in general, they were second best.

Mikel Arteta, Andre Santos and Gervinho—all summer signings—were unavailable for this game for varying reasons, but even with them it is hard to believe Arsenal would have had enough to really test United.

This defeat leaves Arsenal an absolutely massive 18 points behind leaders Manchester City, with only 22 games played.

The Gunners need real quality reinforcements, not five-year-plan babies, if they are to mount a decent title challenge again under Wenger.

Anders Lindegaard Establishing Himself as Alex Ferguson's Number One

Having started the last four matches consecutively, Anders Lindegaard is pretty much established as Manchester United's current number one goalkeeper.

The Dane did his chances of cementing the position no harm at all today with a series of excellent aerial catches, in addition to some fairly routine saves and good distribution.

What effect all this is having on David de Gea remains to be seen—but the confidence of Lindegaard continues to grow with each passing game.

Another hugely important factor to consider is that as Lindegaard's confidence grows, so diminishes the chances that Alex Ferguson will take him back out of the side, leaving £18 million stopper de Gea on the sidelines for the rest of the season—or else risk both keepers playing on the edge of their nerves again, as they know the slightest slip-up could see them out the side.

Robin van Persie Still the Only Real Goal Threat for Arsenal

After netting his 19th Premier League goal of the season—his highest ever total for a single league campaign, even with 16 games still to go—against Manchester United, Robin van Persie might have reflected that it would be nice for the Gunners to be able to get results without the massive pressure placed on his shoulders to be the one who wins matches all the time.

Arsenal have managed just a single victory this season without van Persie getting his name on the scoresheet.

Indeed, all the rest of his teammates added together have only scored a single goal more in the league than van Persie has himself.

With him in the side, Arsenal are always a dangerous opponent.

Take him out...well.

I'll leave you to do the math.

Phil Jones Continues His Injury Woes

After having initially impressed at Manchester United following his big-money summer move from Blackburn Rovers, Phil Jones has seen his first-team chances whittled away somewhat recently, as he has suffered from three different injuries in the past couple of months.

Against Arsenal, Jones seemingly twisted his ankle as he looked to face up to Theo Walcott down the Gunners' left flank, and required treatment before being stretchered off.

A freak accident no doubt, but United fans will be hoping that the constant knocks do not continue as Jones seeks to become a huge player for his side.

Theo Walcott Is Overshadowed by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's Performance

Theo Walcott has nailed down a place in the Arsenal starting lineup this season on the right side of a three-man attack, but his form has fluctuated as wildly as his crosses tend to.

With Gervinho missing in action while participating at the African Cup of Nations, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was handed a starting berth by manager Arsene Wenger—and proceeded to entirely show up his more established teammate.

Walcott sent a succession of passes out of play in the first half as he misread his teammates' intentions, while it was left to Chamberlain to dizzy Patrice Evra with his close control and pace, once even setting up Walcott for a presentable chance which the England man skied into the stands.

In the second half as Arsenal mounted their comeback, it was Chamberlain who played the crucial through-pass for Robin van Persie to run onto and strike his team back on level terms, and the booing from the Arsenal crowd when Chamberlain was substituted minutes later spoke volumes.

When Gervinho returns from international duty it may well be a case of Walcott or Oxlade-Chamberlain to start games—and on this evidence, it would not be the more experienced player who gets chosen.

Manchester United Have Goal Threat with Any Forwards, Reminiscent of 1999

Aside from disgraceful-looking home shirts, the late 1990's Manchester United sides had one thing which was inherently noticeable: goals guaranteed from whichever forwards took to the field.

Whereas back in the day you could take your pick from the likes of Teddy Sheringham, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole, today's pick for Alex Ferguson offers him different threats from Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck, Javier Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov.

While the first two from that list seem to be the established preferred pairing at present, the goals of different styles that both the latter duo can give when called upon will be vital for Manchester United's title challenge.

Even if Berbatov plays no further part in the current campaign, his mini goal spree at the turn of the year yielded precious points for United and his contribution should not be forgotten should the title race hinge on the odd point.

Laurent Koscielny Growing in Confidence & Class, Arsenal Still Need Full Backs

Amidst the failing title hopes and even slight panic about qualifying for next season's Champions League, Arsenal fans can take solace from the recent performances of one man in particular, and this time I'm not talking about Robin van Persie.

Laurent Koscielny had something of a nightmare start in North London but his performances over the last month or so have been exemplary, both at right back and in central defence.

His timing of the tackle is most impressive, while he is not afraid to bring the ball out of defence and launch midfield-splitting passes.

Aerially he can still use some work, but in Per Mertesacker he has a dominant partner who can do that work for him while he uses his good reading of the game skills to mop up anything behind.

His dismantling of United attackers and subsequent launching of an Arsenal attack for the equaliser at the Emirates was some of the finest defensive work you will see this season in the space of five seconds.

Should he keep up this level of performance Koscielny will be a real contender for the team of the season, and should the Gunners not qualify for next year's top European competition he will have no shortage of admirers on the continent.

Ryan Giggs Is Still a Top Class Talent

A quick turn of pace, fantastic close control, playing the entire width of the pitch and providing magnificent crosses for his teammates—Ryan Giggs has been doing this to Arsenal for years.

At the Emirates, his 48th appearance against the North London club, he was at his majestic best as he tormented midfielders and defenders alike, having a major influence on the game.

That he clocked up around 10km of running during the game and was still going strong at the end of the game, when other younger players were huffing and walking about aimlessly, speaks volumes of the man as a footballer.

Arsene Wenger's Side Face a Real Battle to Not Finish Outside the Top Four

Five points off fourth spot and with eight defeats for his team this season, Arsene Wenger may just be feeling a very real shiver of trepidation tonight following the defeat to Manchester United.

Under his guidance, Arsenal have never finished outside the Champions League places in the Premier League—but with three of those four available slots looking sewn up already, one by fierce rivals Tottenham, Wenger faces arguably his biggest challenge yet in getting his under-performing, injury-hit squad to play above and beyond themselves and claw back the points to claim a top-four place.

The Gunners still have to play key rivals Spurs, Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle United—and performances and results have to improve significantly if they are to end the season in the top four.

Alex Ferguson's Team Are the Only Threat to Manchester City's Title Hopes

Following the wins by both Manchester clubs over their North London rivals, the Premier League is shaping up very quickly to be a two-horse race, between both victors.

While Manchester City lead the table, Manchester United are just three points behind with 18 fixtures apiece to play.

City have the money, the deep squad and the burning desire to win their first ever league title.

United have the experience, the know-how and the lesser pressure of being the chaser rather than the leader.

On the 28th of April the two sides do battle at the Etihad Stadium and, barring an unlikely burst of scintillating form from another Premier League rival, that game could well be the one which decides the destination of the 2011-12 title.