Arsenal produced one of their best performances in recent years as they returned to winning ways in sensational style with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Manchester United.
The Gunners played some breathtaking football in what was a superb first-half performance and, although the second 45 minutes didn't quite match up to the first, the hosts were very worthy of the win.
Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil scored the goals and will undoubtedly take most of the plaudits but the clean sheet and a solid defensive display was equally as pleasing. In fact, the only really negative from the game was Sanchez picking up a minor groin injury but it doesn't look like he will miss any games.
Arsenal have previously been criticised for not getting enough positive results against the other big sides in the league, but the Gunners well and truly stamped their mark on the game inside the opening 10 minutes at the Emirates. Sanchez latched onto Ozil's low cross with a sublime back-heel to give the hosts the perfect start, and barely a minute later Arsenal were at it again. Walcott raced into the box before picking out Ozil to score from close range.
Arsenal were playing at a blistering pace in attack, whilst keeping things solid at the back, and their day got even better with a third goal after 19 minutes. Sanchez shrugged off Matteo Darmian smashing in an unstoppable shot from just inside the box, giving Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea no chance.
It really was a one-sided first half and I've got to admit I was pleasantly surprised at the impressive manner with which we were brushing the opposition aside. United are a team we haven't typically done too well against and before this weekend Louis Van Gaal's men had been top of the table. So to see us return to winning ways in such sensational fashion really was a joy to watch.
After such a poor result against Olympiakos in the Champions League and the season in danger of fizzling out already, we needed one hell of a huge performance against United to start to turn things around and boy did we deliver. The defence weren't given United a look in and we looked so comfortable on the ball.
I don't want to get carried away as I am fully aware we could return from the international break in completely different form. However, maybe, just maybe, this can be the start of something special for us. If we can keep performing like this who knows what will happen but it is still early days yet.
It really could have been more than three goals in the first half and Aaron Ramsey was unlucky not to add further gloss to the scoreline when he sent a volley wide.
Although Arsenal were dominant, United came close to pulling a goal back before half-time when Martial turned inside the area. Petr Cech, who returning to the side having been rested against Olympiakos, pulled off an excellent save to deny the youngster from point-blank range.
Arsenal were not quite as fluid in the second half but in some ways it could be considered to be a more sensible approach. We have lost leads in the past and if we had continued to keep attacking we could have left ourselves vulnerable at the back. We were patient in the second half and defence held firm to ensure the clean sheet an all three points to push us up to second in the table.
United threatened the Arsenal goal more in the second half, with the hosts not seeing as much of the ball after the restart. When United did manage to get the better of the Gunners' defence Petr Cech was on hand to frustrate the visitors. The former Chelsea goalkeeper had to be at his best to keep out Ashley Young's long-range strike before later come out bravely to close down Bastian Schweinsteiger.
Arsenal could have added a fourth in the closing stages of the game but substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's chipped effort hit the crossbar. We couldn't add to the scoreline but the result and the manner of the performance was very impressive.
OPPOSITION'S VIEW
Manchester United fan Mark Hainsworth conceded that they had lost to the better team on the day and was left worried by the performance of his side.
"There was a time when Manchester United did to other teams what Arsenal did to them today with fast incisive, entertaining football and eventually the only surprise was that it didn’t finish 6-0," said Hainsworth.
"Despite being top of the league before the weekend, there are mutterings from United fans about the quality of the fare served up by LVG and this performance will do nothing to quieten them, though congratulations should be extended to an Arsenal team who played magnificently.
"Sadly LVG will point to possession stats etc to deflect attention from his tactics but that was just poor football from a Manchester United team.
"We have the players but the way he sets up the team just doesn't scare the opposition or inspire confidence in the fans. Dire stuff!"
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
It was a hugely impressive performance and one that will live long in the memory. We certainly must not get carried away with one result but it really was a much-needed confidence boost. If there was ever a key moment in a season that could change things for the better then this was it. Whether it will have a decisive impact on the rest of the season remains to be seen but there were definitely plenty of positives that we can take from this performance.
We are just two points behind leaders Manchester City and catching them is doable but we need to make sure we carry on this level of performance after the international break. A trip to Watford is next on the agenda and we need to produce more of the same against the Hornets.
Let's make sure this wasn't a one-off result and let's make this a season to remember! There is a long way to go but dare we dream? Let's wait and see what happens.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
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