The impact of David de Gea ’s breathtaking performance to defy Arsenal — and all logic — went far beyond The Emirates and The Etihad.

And that, ultimately, could be bad news for Manchester United .

For when De Gea takes the goalkeeping art to the astonishing levels he showed against Arsene Wenger’s bewildered stars, Jose Mourinho’s hopes of keeping the Spaniard from the clutches of Real Madrid won’t be helped.

The only upside of De Gea’s inevitable move to the Bernabeu – when rather than if believe Madrid officials - is that United can legitimately demand the kind of mind-boggling money normally reserved for blue-chip outfield players.

No wonder his team-mates queued up to give De Gea a hug at the final whistle! (
Image:
AFP/Getty)

Because is a £100million price tag really that crazy for De Gea?

Not judging by the way Mourinho’s coaching staff and team-mates hugged and congratulated the keeper after witnessing wondrous saves that helped United win the Premier League’s game of the season so far.

Stopping shots the way De Gea did at the Emirates was every bit as vital as the two high quality goals scored by Jesse Lingard as United left Wenger and Arsenal looking traumatised.

And maybe it will spur Pep Guardiola to put on some extra sessions for his sharp-shooters ahead of next Sunday’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford.

The Gunners had 33 attempts on goal but squeezed just one past De Gea... (
Image:
Getty)
...whose acrobatics set United up for a huge win as they chase leaders Man City (
Image:
Getty)

Even best pal Ander Herrera was agog at De Gea’s heroics.

“It was a fantastic result and there were some great performances but David was amazing,” said the midfielder.

“We were clinical in the first half. Two chances in the first 12 minutes and it was two goals. Then of course Arsenal have a lot of quality so they were going to create chances. But when they had the two or three clear chances David was there so we are very happy.”

That’s an understatement.

This was a game United couldn’t afford to lose, but victory came at a cost with Paul Pogba now facing a three-match ban – and maybe more – for an ugly challenge on Hector Bellerin before sarcastically clapping as he trudged off.

Pogba will miss next Sunday's Manchester derby after this challenge... (
Image:
PA)
...brought him a straight red card from Andre Marriner (
Image:
AFP)

Whether that was aimed at referee Andre Marriner or Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny who wasn’t shy at urging the red card for his French team-mate, only Pogba knows.

But the way he linked midfield and attack with purposeful forward runs and flashy footwork means he’ll be a huge loss against City.

It was the £89m star who played the decisive pass to Antonio Valencia to open the scoring after a suicidal pass across his own defence by Koscielny with only four minutes gone.

Antonio Valencia's early goal got the visitors off to a flying start... (
Image:
Reuters)
...the lead was 2-0 with just 11 minutes gone through Jesse Lingard... (
Image:
Getty)
...who also grabbed their final goal just after the hour mark (
Image:
AFP/Getty)

More crackpot defending, by Shkodran Mustafi this time, soon after enabled Lingard to score a clinical second and put United in command.

The onslaught that followed from Arsenal was brutal.

With Mesut Ozil pulling the strings and Alexis Sanchez and Alexandre Lacazette keeping ever-improving Victor Lindelof and Chris Smalling on red-alert, the hosts can’t be faulted for effort.

Wenger cited a lack of “efficiency”, but this was a day when De Gea’s brilliance was off the scale and Mourinho’s defenders were equally defiant.

Arsene Wenger was mystified at Arsenal's failure to score more than once... (
Image:
EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
...and so were his players — who had 75% possession and 15 efforts on target (
Image:
AFP/Getty)

Lacazette pulled one back with a cleverly-worked goal after the break having earlier hit the bar. The £52m French striker was then denied as De Gea made a mind-boggling double save to keep out his shot and Sanchez’s follow-up.

Wenger’s frustration increased when Lingard killed Arsenal off with a classic break-away goal teed-up by Pogba, who saw red soon after to trigger a nervy finale for United.

A nailed-on late penalty ignored by Marriner hardly helped Wenger’s mood but United were all smiles as they headed for the train north with their pursuit of City still on track.

Added Herrera: “Before City, it’s CSKA Moscow [at home in the final Champions League group game on Tuesday] and we are not qualified yet, so we don’t think about City.

“Everything is very good and we are going to find our best form very soon. We are second and are chasing the top of the table.

“Jesse is on fire now and Paul as well. It’s a shame he got the card. Romelu didn’t score but he helped us a lot. The centre-backs, like Victor, are in fantastic form so we are optimistic.”

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