Manchester United: Rooney (pen) 59, Diaby (og) 64

Champions Manchester United eked out a fortunate victory in the first “big-four” battle of the season, overcoming an Arsenal side whose luck deserted them.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was sent to the stands in stoppage time for kicking a water bottle into the air, as his frustration got the better of him after Robin Van Persie’s late strike was ruled out, correctly, for offside.

Arsenal’s Andrey Arshavin was at the centre of the major talking-points of the first half.

The diminutive Russian appeared to be upended in the penalty area by United’s Darren Fletcher on 39 minutes.

But the controversy didn’t linger as Arshavin almost immediately gave Arsenal the lead with a magnificent right-foot drive from 20 yards which United keeper Ben Foster could only help into the net.

The game changed on 59 minutes. Wayne Rooney was upended in the penalty box by on-rushing Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia and sent him the wrong way from the spot to equalise with United’s first shot on target.

Three minutes later, Robin Van Persie crashed a left-footed free-kick against the crossbar with Foster beaten.

But, in virtually the next attack, the winning goal arrived as Abou Diaby inexplicably headed Ryan Giggs’ free-kick past Almunia, when under no pressure.

Dmitar Berbatov and Nani squandered chances to finish Arsenal off, as United frequently hit them on the break late on.

And when William Gallas set up Robin Van Persie’s stoppage time finish from an offside position, Wenger’s patience, after a difficult week, finally ran out.

Wenger said after the game: “The defeat was particularly difficult to swallow. The better team lost by far and the big decisions didn’t go our way.”

United’s assistant manager Mike Phelan commented: “This was a big win for us early in the season. And it was a match where both teams had a real go.”