In his programme notes Arsene Wenger described his Arsenal side as a different animal to the one that was mauled by Manchester United in last season’s Champions League semi-final.   But the stitches from the wounds inflicted on that night 10 months ago were ripped open again in a similarly ruthless fashion by the champions as the Gunners title hopes were left hanging by a thread.   Everything from the sequence of the goals (United hit three before Arsenal replied with a scant consolation) to the nature of the goals (the second and third were reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo’s breakaway strike last time out at the Emirates) to Ji-Sung Park getting on the scoresheet was replicated emphatically.

And the one parallel that will hurt Wenger the most was the way they were outplayed and outclassed for long spells, just like in their Euro clash.

Arsenal have done exceptionally well to haul themselves back into title contention after Chelsea thumped them 3-0 in November but Sunday’s latest lesson by one of their closet rivals was another reality check that may prove too much to recover from.

But they are not out of the race – yet. After the frustration of a desperately poor display against United they couldn’t get a harder game domestically than facing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this weekend – and Wenger will want the opportunity to prove his side is not as bad as United made them look.

A win at the Bridge and the confidence will be restored and their most recent debacle will be put firmly behind them.

Defeat however, and it is all over. To be on the verge of elimination from the title race will raise questions on the club’s transfer policy as the only player they brought in over January was veteran Sol Campbell.

The United game was a landmark as Rooney swept home his 100^th Premier League goal, but it was also the first to be broadcast in 3D – both managers had a look at the technology through 3D glasses before the match – but Wenger will have to take off the rose-tinted spectacles if he thinks ex-England defender Campbell, playing League Two football only a few months ago with Notts County, will bolster chances of a title triumph.

What the supporters wanted to see was another striker to replace the crocked Robin van Persie. The Gunners may have got away playing without an out-an-out striker against the lesser sides but they won’t against the likes of United in top form – even with the second choice centre-half pairing of Wes Brown and Jonny Evans. The latter is an unsung hero for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side and provides the cover Arsenal don’t have for an already fragile defence. The defence Arsene Wenger puts up for his side if they are consigned to third place and another trophyless season will have to be a compelling one to maintain the support from the Gunners faithful.