Robin van Persie made amends for an early mistake by smashing home a penalty just before the break to give Manchester United a share of the spoils at the Emirates.
The Dutchman made a nightmare start on his return to Arsenal – giving the ball away in the build-up to Theo Walcott’s second-minute opener.
Van Persie’s stray pass on the halfway line gifted possession to the Gunners, and an offside-looking Walcott made him pay by firing past David De Gea after latching onto Tomas Rosicky’s through ball.
The former Gunners captain nearly made up for his error moments later when he floated a teasing cross into the box for Phil Jones, but the United youngster couldn’t direct his header on target.
Lukas Podolski came close to doubling the Gunners’ lead on the half-hour, but his fierce drive from an angel was well beaten away by De Gea.
United remained sluggish and off the pace until the 38th minute when Van Persie should’ve drawn the visitors level, but his header from point-blank range was saved via the face of Wojciech Szczesny.
However, Van Persie made no mistake on 43 minutes – dusting himself off after being chopped down in the box by Bacary Sagna to hammer in the penalty.
United were much the better side after the break, and Wayne Rooney forced Szczesny into a smart save from a header on 55 minutes.
Arsenal could’ve then found themselves down to 10 men after an hour, with Sagna fortunate not to receive a second yellow card for flying in on Patrice Evra.
Arsene Wenger threw on Jack Wilshere, Gervinho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in a bid to steal all three points, but United held firm should’ve perhaps nicked the win themselves when Ryan Giggs broke into the Gunners box on the counter-attack, but his curling shot was deflected wide.
Gunners players formed a guard of honour to mark United’s achievements prior to kick-off, but one-time Arsenal favourite Van Persie received a hot reception following his controversial £24million move last summer.
Arsenal now sit just two points above Tottenham in fourth place having played a game more, while the draw also means United lost their bid to beat Chelsea’s record 95-points haul for a season.
Teams:
Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Arteta, Ramsey, Rosicky, Cazorla, Walcott, Podolski.
Subs: Mannone, Vermaelen, Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Monreal, Jenkinson, Gervinho.
Man Utd: De Gea, Da Silva, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Jones, Nani, Rooney, van Persie.
Subs: Lindegaard, Anderson, Giggs, Hernandez, Cleverley, Kagawa, Buttner.
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- Manchester United’s Robin van Persie walks onto the pitch past an Arsenal guard of honour (Picture: Action Images)
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- Arsenal’s Kieran Gibbs, and Manchester United’s Antonio Valencia challenge for the ball (Picture: AP)
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- Arsenal’s Kieran Gibbs, right, and Manchester United’s Phil Jones challenge for the ball (Picture: AP)
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- Rio Ferdinand of Manchester United congratulates Robin van Persie of Manchester United after he scored from the penalty spot (Picture: Getty)
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- Rapper Jay-Z and Chris Martin of Coldplay in the stands (Picture: Getty)
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- Manchester United’s English striker Wayne Rooney wins a header (Picture: AFP/Getty)
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- Robin van Persie of Manchester United scores their first goal from the penalty spot (Picture: Getty)
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- Bacary Sagna of Arsenal appeals to Referee Phil Dowd after an unfair challenge on Robin van Persie (Picture: Getty)
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- Manchester United’s Phil Jones heads the ball while challenged by Arsenal’s Bacary Sagna (Picture: Reuters)
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- Manchester United’s Robin van Persie controls the ball (Picture: AFP/Getty)
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- Arsenal’s Bakary Sagna in action with Manchester United’s Patrice Evra (Picture: Action Images)
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- Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey challenges Manchester United’s Phil Jones (Picture: AFP/Getty)
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- Arsenal’s Theo Walcott challneges Manchester United’s Patrice Evra (Picture: AFP/Getty)
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