Gunned Down by Another Title Rival: Arsenal's Title Bid Gone Cold?

A win would have signaled belief that Arsenal could realistically challenge for the Premier League crown this season.

Judging by today's performance against Manchester United, Arsenal are still some distance from where Arsene Wenger and the fans want to be.

A fighting and spirited performance was needed. However, the Arsenal players froze on a bitter afternoon in North London. No Arsenal player showed up with any passion or determination bar Alex Song, who couldn't have returned from Africa sooner.

The first 20 minutes saw Arsenal dominate possession and play some attractive football, but with only a couple of wayward Arshavin efforts to show from it.

Manchester United displayed counter-attacking football to devastating effect, turning a mean defence into sublime attack. 

The attacks seemed effortless as Arsenal did not close down United quick enough and were subsequently punished.

United moved into second gear, and Gallas and Vermaelen made good interceptions to keep the game level. However, Gael Clichy was humiliated by Nani all game.

This was demonstrated as Nani opened the scoring. Breaking free from Clichy on the right, he skipped past another defender and lofted the ball towards goal, only for Almunia to flap the ball into his own net.

Arsenal tried to eradicate these mistakes but tried too hard, and misplaced pass after misplaced pass was punished by another free-flowing attack from United less than five minutes later.

Nani again broke free and found Rooney, and he calmly and emphatically struck the ball past Almunia.

Park Ji-Sung added a third United goal seven minutes after the interval, running from inside his own half, while Gael Clichy stood and watched before slotting the ball into the net.

It seemed the Arsenal players waited for the scoreline to read 3-0 before beginning to play. Arsenal faced an uphill struggle to get back into the game, but a late surge was not enough despite Thomas Vermaelen's late goal.

United were happy to sit back and see this one out.

It was all far too easy for Manchester United. It could have been worse for Arsenal, as Rooney squandered an opportunity to add a fourth for United following a shocking clearance from Almunia.

A second humiliating home defeat for the Gunners this season simply is not good enough.

Arsenal are not out of the title race just yet, but the way in which Manchester United brushed them aside at the Emirates exposed frailties in Arsenal's challenge.

The lack of a natural goalscorer is worrying. Operating as a lone front man is not Arshavin's best position. He looked threatening when switched wide left following Bendtner's arrival.

Again, going forward, as ever, Arsenal get to within a shooting opportunity and look for another pass or two, leaving the crowd restless.

Abou Diaby is being missed in midfield. His return to full fitness is expected this week, which is a boost.

Denilson does good work that goes unnoticed but gives the ball away far too often. Today he was overrun by Fletcher and Carrick. I have seen less timid field mice.

In defence, Gallas and Vermalen have formed a terrific partnership at the back this season, but the form of Manuel Almunia is worrying.

The man shows bewildering levels of inconsistency. Arsene Wenger's biggest mistake was not bringing in Shay Given when he was available from Newcastle.

Being an Arsenal fan, this was a difficult article to write. Bring on Chelsea and Liverpool.