Arsenal beat United to restore pride

Arsenal beat Manchester United 1-0 at the Emirates on Sunday thanks to Aaron Ramsey's comeback goal. Despite both sides having strong claims for penalties they were both not given, as the title race now looks to go down to the wire. This big win for Arsenal should restore pride as the past week's results took them out of the hunt for the Premiership trophy. Arsenal were forced into making one change as Ramsey came in for the injured skipper; Cesc Fabregas.

The first big chance of the match fell to Wilshere. Walcott playing the ball into the box which could only be cleared as far as Wilshere who could only drag his shot wide from just inside the box.

Arsenal then had another great chance as Clichy swung in a cross which found Walcott who slid in to get the ball between Vidic and Evra but it went over.

Walcott then could have had another chance to score as Wilshere's scuffed shot almost found its way into Walcott's path but Evra got to the ball ahead of him.

United's first chance of the game fell to Hernandez as Fabio pulled the ball back to him but Sagna was in the way to make the challenge.

Arsenal then had a strong claim for a penalty turned down. Walcott playing the ball into the box which at first sight looked to have been headed away by Vidic but it actually struck the hand of the United defender just as Van Persie was about to get his head to the ball.

The score at half time was 0-0.

Szczesny's first action of the game was when a looping free kick from Wayne Rooney had to be parmed away to stop the visitors going ahead.

Arsenal were pushing for the lead and Sagna almost gave them that as the right back got forward and drove a left footed shot just past the far post.

The Gunners then did take the lead as Van Persie got down the right hand side before finding Ramsey who placed the ball beyond Van Der Sar and into the back of the net for his first goal since coming back from injury.

5 minutes later Man United almost grabbed an equaliser. Nani swinging a corner from the left hand side which found the head of Vidic but the ball bounced harmlessly wide.

United were now having most of the play and Nani had a great opportunity to level the scores but he fired straight at Szczesny.

Arsenal's first chance since the goal fell to Van Persie, as Walcott slid the ball into him at the back post but on the slide the Dutchman could find the side netting.

Manchester United then had a very strong claim for a penalty turned down as Clichy brought down Owen just inside the area but the referee said 'no'.

United's final chance of the game came from a freekick. Nani took the kick but it was straight into the wall and the chance was over.

The final score ended Arsenal 1-0 Manchester United.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Djourou(69), Clichy, Nasri(45), Walcott(79), Wilshere, Ramsey, Song, Van Persie.
Subs: Lehmann, Squillaci(69), Gibbs, Eboue(79), Arshavin(45), Chamakh, Bendtner.

Manchester United: Van Der Sar, Fabio, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Nani, Anderson(56), Carrick(85), Park, Rooney, Hernandez(74).
Subs: Kuszczak, Smalling, Rafael, O'Shea, Valencia(56), Owen(85), Berbatov(74).

My man of the match: Aaron Ramsey

Referee: Chris Foy
Attendance: 60,107