Match Report:Manchester United 1 - Arsenal - Van Persie header gives United victory against Arsenal

Premier League, Old Trafford - Manchester United 1 (Van Persie 27) Arsenal (0)

Manchester United moved five points off the Premier League summit with a 1-0 win over Arsenal thanks to a Robin van Persie header and some resilient defending.

United broke the deadlock after 27 minutes. Wayne Rooney sent in a corner from the left which Van Persie headed into the far top corner, giving Wojciech Szczesny no chance.
With five minutes to go before half-time, referee Michael Oliver waved away United appeals for a penalty after Rooney went to ground under a clumsy challenge from Olivier Giroud.
Arsenal did not have an attack of note in the first half and the best they managed was a Giroud cross which sailed well over.

In the second half, Arsenal dominated possession but created just a single good chance when Mesut Ozil fired into the side netting.
Rooney went close for United moments later when he dragged a shot just wide but it was not to prove costly as the hosts defended well to see out the win.
                     
KEY MOMENTS
27’ - VAN PERSIE SCORES: Rooney sends over an inswinging corner and Van Persie’s header is into the top corner and over Szczesny.
40’ - PENALTY APPEAL: Giroud clearly fouls Rooney in the box and the referee makes an obvious mistake in failing to grant a penalty.
46’ - CLEVERLEY SUBSTITUTION: Tom Cleverley replaces Nemanja Vidic, changing the game from one of United posing an attacking threat to ceding all control of the ball.
58’ - OZIL CHANCE: Ozil fires into the side netting after the linesman incorrectly awards Arsenal a corner.
60’ - ROONEY SHOT: After a Van Persie brings down a Shinji Kagawa flick on, Rooney drags his shot just wide.

KEY STATS

Robin van Persie has scored the last five games these teams have played each other, three for United and two for Arsenal.
Arsenal failed to score for the first time in the Premier League this season.
Manchester United have never lost a game at home in the Premier League having been ahead at half time.
TALKING POINT: Will Wayne Rooney continue to keep his place? Rooney’s first touch has clearly deserted him, and now his passing accuracy has too. With another player in his place United would surely have won by more.
                        
MAN OF THE MATCH
Chris Smalling (Manchester United): Typically poor going forward on the right wing, he was defensively excellent in the first half and made a number of key challenges in the second half at centre-back.
PLAYER RATINGS
Manchester United: De Gea 7; Smalling 8, Vidic 7, Evans 6, Evra 7, Valencia 6, Jones 7, Carrick 6, Kagawa 6; Rooney 5, van Persie 7. Subs: Giggs 6, Cleverley 5, Fellaini 6
Arsenal: Szczesny 6, Sagna 6, Koscielny 6, Vermaelen 5, Gibbs 6, Arteta 6, Flamini 6, Ramsey 6, Ozil 5, Cazorla 6, Giroud 6. Subs: Wilshere 6, Bendtner 6, Gnabry 6.