What Have We Learned From The Arsenal Win?

Before kickoff on Sunday afternoon at the Emirates, even the most loyal of United fans would have been forgiven for hoping to sneak away with the narrowest of victories.

Away day defeats to Liverpool and Chelsea earlier in the season and dismal displays against the likes of Burnley and Fulham hardly inspired confidence. Couple that with Arsenal’s form of late and most people would have predicted a home win.

So when the game started and United weathered an early storm of Arsenal attacks to go on and dominate their old rivals, United fans across the country could have been excused for not believing their eyes.

With Wayne Rooney as a lone striker, supported by Park Ji Sung and a newly re-born Nani, United tore through their opponents. They attacked at will, looking like they were going to score every time they did so.

A brilliant individual goal from Nani and a lightning quick breakaway for Rooney’s 100th Premier League goal saw United go 2-0 up at the break.

Another counter-attack just after half-time and United made it 3-0 through Park Ji Sung. Even a late consolation goal from Thomas Vermaelen couldn’t take the shine off of a marvellous performance.

So, the question is, what have we learnt from this performance?

I know that one good performance against a rival doesn’t mean that United are now suddenly unstoppable but there were a lot of positives to come from it.

Firstly, the continued red-hot form of Wayne Rooney is a massive boost for United. He has answered the doubters that thought United wouldn’t cope without Ronaldo and Tevez in the best manner possible, with goal after goal after goal.

He has turned himself from a precocious young talent with an obvious gift but little goal-scoring prowess, into one of the most lethal goal poachers in the world.

Next, and possibly the most surprising recent positive improvement at United; the recent transformation of Nani.

Until recently, he was halfway out the exit door at Old Trafford. Game after game of frustrating, and often awful, performances and his open criticism of Sir Alex led many to believe that he was on borrowed time.

But after a recent run in the side where he has actually started to live up to his label as “the next Ronaldo” and all seems to be forgiven.

His performance against Arsenal cemented his recent transformation, with Sir Alex suggesting that he had gained a new found maturity in his recent performances that had been lacking since his £17 million arrival from Sporting Lisbon.

Although United fans may, quite rightly, be unconvinced that a few good performances can make up for over two years of disappointment, it is at least a start. There is finally a foundation to build on for the future.

Lastly, Sir Alex’s decision to employ a 4-3-3 / 4-5-1 formation at the Emirates may have been a surprise to some, but it turned out to be a masterstroke.

Wayne Rooney relished in the role of lone front-man, although he was brilliantly supported by both Nani and the energetic Park. And it was not only the front three that benefitted from the change, with Carrick, Scholes and Fletcher excelling in the centre of midfield, where they were able to boss Arsenal and set the ball rolling for most United attacks.

The 4-3-3 system also ensures that the often lazy Dimitar Berbatov does not have a place in the starting line-up. While there is no doubt that he is a player of some considerable talent, the Bulgarian’s languid style does not really fit in with the Manchester United free-flowing, fast paced attacking tradition.

So, to sum up, although we should probably not get too carried away with one victory, however brilliant, there were a number of positives to take from the game.

The question is, can United build on this display and secure a record breaking fourth consecutive title come the end of the season? I suppose only time will tell…

By Harry Veal