All the critics that doubted Arsenal’s ability to see off big matches have been silenced on Saturday as a rejuvenated injury-hit side from North London stung the champions Manchester United at a rain-soaked Emirates stadium. The hero of the afternoon turned out to be the Frenchman Samir Nasri who scored either side of half-time to condemn United to their second defeat of the season.

Arsene Wenger was under a lot of pressure going into the big Saturday after watching his side throw a two-goal lead to draw at home against bitter rivals Tottenham and then losing at newly promoted Stoke City in the last ten days. The French manager knew a fourth loss of the season at the hands of feisty rivals United would all but destroy the Gunners’ hopes to win the Premiership title this year. Questions were being asked by even the staunchest of Arsenal fans about the very mentality of a young Arsenal side and for no reason there were some ludicrous reports suggesting the end of Arsene Wenger’s era as an Arsenal manager.

Well, those rumours could well have been buried for the moment after yesterday’s stunning win yet Arsenal’s march towards the Premier League finale would depend upon the side’s consistency which was a telling factor last season. No doubt, Saturday’s win over Sir Alex Fergusson’s Premier League and European champions would taste far sweeter in the mouths of the Arsenal fans as the 2-1 result was achieved without the presence of talismanic strikers Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin Van Persie. This proves the depth of the side from N5 and the sheer mental toughness and spirit of all the fourteen players that contributed to the classic victory.

Manchester United were fantastic away from home and the champions underlined their credentials when they got off to a flying start launching waves of attacks towards the Arsenal goal. The Red Devils could have taken the lead had it not been for some bad luck in finishing for the likes of Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney.

Arsenal soon settled down after some initial nervy moments and went down to normal business by playing a smart passing game that soon made United scramble for space. Stand-in striker Niclas Bendtner missed two clear headers as the Gunners put immense on the United goal from the left side of the field. It was the home side that drew first blood in the 22nd minute of the game courtesy of a fierce left-footed strike from matchwinner Samir Nasri that took a deflection off Gary Neville past a stranded Edwin Van Der Sar.

The match transformed into an end to end spectacle that mesmerized the Emirates crowd and the millions of television viewers worldwide. Arsenal rode their luck as Wayne Rooney put the ball over the bar from close range after being set up by Christiano Ronaldo, Gael Clichy nearly scored an own goal and an excellent Manuel Almunia parried away a powerful Park Ji Sung shot. It was a wonderful first half played at a phenomenal pace on a soggy yet holding Emirates pitch.

Arsenal were desperate for the cushion of a second goal as United came hard at the home side and it was the young Frenchman, signed from Olympique Marseille during the summer, who drilled home a powerful right-footed shot after some excellent off the ball play from Theo Walcott. The young England sensation took out Nemanja Vidic with his run that enabled Cesc Fabregas to slid a pass through the gap formed by the out of position Serb defender and Nasri underlined the ability of his both feet by unleashing a fierce shot that gave United’s experienced Dutch keeper no chance three minutes into the second half.

2-0 and the champions were rattled but not out of the game by any means. Sir Alex’s boys knew of Arsenal’s vulnerability in holding onto seemingly comfortable leads and the introduction of Ryan Giggs, Rafael Da Silva and Carlos Tevez proved United’s determination to persevere in their attacks. Christiano Ronaldo could have pulled one goal back but narrowly missed from five yards. The two teams provided tremendous entertainment to a packed Emirates stadium with their cavalier performance that defied human tiredness which ultimately proved the very reason for the English Premier League’s unrivaled popularity across the world.

Arsenal had a strong penalty appeal disallowed by the excellent Howard Webb who for the fourth consecutive time was officiating in an Arsenal-Man United game. The drama continued as Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia had to be taken off the field after being accidentally kicked by Michael Carrick as he dived to gather the ball for a second time following a United corner.

Arsenal had to endure a nervy last ten minutes or so as young United defender Rafael Da Silva made the scoreline 2-1 in the 89th minute with a wonderful curling finish from just outside the box. A scary six minutes of injury time but the Gunners prevented a déjà vu by holding on to a magnificient three points that surely would reignite their title aspirations for the rest of the season.