Manchester United outclassed a depleted Arsenal side by scoring 8 goals against Arsenal’s 2  in a Barclays premier league clash, at Old Trafford. United came into this game on the back of a 3-0 demolition of Arsenal’s north London neighbors, Tottenham, in a late night clash on Monday 22nd. Over a fortnight ago, Arsenal  sold two of  their key midfield players; Samir nasri and Captain Cesc Fabregas.

From the kickoff,  Man Utd exhibited intent  to score an early goal, as Arsenal took a back seat for the better part of the opening minutes. Man Utd made real their threats, as “Danny Welbeck opened the scoring with a close-range header in the 22nd minute after Johan Djourou failed to clear Anderson’s chipped pass…” The Sunday Morning Herald reported. Arsenal had the chance to level the score from a spot kick, following a challenge by Johny Evans on Walcott, but Robin Van Persie failed to convert. Before half time, Man Utd scored two more goals, courtesy of Ashley Young’s brilliant curler from 22 yard out, and Wayne Rooney’s first goal of the night from a dead ball situation, making it his 150th United goal. Arsenal registered their first on the score-board as Theo Walcott took advantage of  poor defending by United on the left, on the stroke of half-time. In the 62nd minute, Wayne Rooney curled in another free kick,  making it  4 for United against Arsenal’s 1. Nani’s dextrous  chip over Szczesny in the 67th minute made it a fifth for United, as incoming Ji -sung Park, added a sixth for the “Red Devils“, three minutes later. In the 74th minute, Robin Van Persie made amends for his earlier penalty miss, by a thunderous shot  from the spot, adding a second for Arsenal.

Wayne Rooney-Man of the match

United were not done yet; Wayne Rooney completed his hat-trick from a penalty in the 82nd minute, followed by a stoppage time, curling  finish, into the top-right corner from the new signing, Ashley Young, to make it Man Utd 8-2 Arsenal, in one of the most remarkable performances, witnessed at the “Theatre of Dreams.”httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3rlvDdHD1I

Little has been said about Manchester City’s 5-1 win away to Tottenham-another north London side, on the same match-day. Tottenham stay bottom of the EPL table for a second week consecutively, while Arsenal are  just above the relegation zone. Collectively, the city of Manchester collected 6 points on the same match-day, while their north London rivals had none! Two worlds apart in terms of class, or was it a matter of coincidence?

References
Wayne Rooney hits hat-trick as Manchester United crush Arsenal guardian.co.uk August 28th, 2011
Manchester United 8-2 Arsenal: Wayne Rooney hat-trick the highlight as United

humiliates Wenger’s men Goal.com August 28th, 2011

Manchester United beat Arsenal 8-2 The Sunday Morning Herald August 29, 2011

2011/12 Barclays Premier League Table/ Standings ESPN Season 2011-12