Gunners pass United test

Gunners boss Wenger admitted dressing-room morale was low after their draw with rivals Tottenham and defeat to Stoke - but the win breathes life into their campaign and lifts them above United in the Barclays Premier League table.

Nasri provided the attacking threat, taking advantage of slack marking in each half to grab his fourth and fifth of the season. Rafael da Silva, on as a substitute, volleyed home to give Sir Alex Ferguson's men hope - but there was no repeat of the memorable Spurs comeback.

This clash between two heavyweights had everything - chances, yellow cards, counter-attacking and also four penalty shouts.

Wayne Rooney was guilty of wasting United's clearest opportunity of the opening period when he flashed a shot over after Cristiano Ronaldo's pull-back.

First blood went to Arsenal, Nasri's opener coming midway through the first half, his volley taking a deflection off Gary Neville to wrong-foot Edwin Van der Sar.

United almost replied when Gael Clichy headed inches wide of his own goal as he tried to clear a wicked free-kick from Ronaldo.

Nasri made it two after Cesc Fabregas found him in space and he hammered the ball past Van der Sar.

Ronaldo was presented with a chance to pull a goal back but his finish, after meeting Ji-Sung Park's cross with a first-time volley, went just the wrong side of Manuel Almunia's far post. Almunia's injury forced him off and Lukasz Fabianski was required off the bench for the last 12 minutes.

Rafael, on as a substitute, pulled one back with less than a minute left - but Arsenal held on.