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Arsenal firm as title contenders after massive win

Here are The Daily Telegraph’s five observations from Arsenal’s surprise 3-0 drubbing of Manchester United on Sunday night ...

Arsenal unexpectedly thrashed Manchester United 3-0 on Sunday. The Gunners’ passing and ball movement were slick, while some of Man United’s players looked ponderous. Photo: Getty Images

Arsenal unexpectedly thrashed Manchester United 3-0 on Sunday. The Gunners’ passing and ball movement were slick, while some of Man United’s players looked ponderous. Photo: Getty Images

Here are The Daily Telegraph’s five observations from Arsenal’s surprise 3-0 drubbing of Manchester United on Sunday night ...

Arsenal are best placed to challenge Man City

Even allowing for FA Cup wins in consecutive years, Arsene Wenger has still not had the really big success in the Premier League or Champions League that would fully re-establish his authority in the eyes of many Arsenal fans. It means that results such as Tuesday’s Champions League 2-3 defeat against Olympiacos still instantly provoke another debate about whether, after 19 years, his time at Arsenal should be nearing the end.

This has all obscured a simple fact so far this season. Which is that Wenger’s rebuilding of his Arsenal squad since 2011 is now complete and, with three genuinely world-class players in Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Petr Cech, he again has a team that can challenge for the Premier League in the next two years. With Manchester United still looking unbalanced and Chelsea in an unexpected state of disarray, it is Arsenal who should provide the most lasting domestic threat this season to Manchester City.

Schweinsteiger, Carrick lack mobility together

The basic difference between the two teams during a most extraordinary first 25 minutes was in the pace of their play.

While Arsenal’s passing and movement off the ball was sometimes a blur, United looked almost slow motion by comparison and were completely overrun.

The problem was in central midfield, where manager Louis van Gaal had taken the surprise decision to play Michael Carrick and Bastian Schweinsteiger together. Both have had stellar careers and are still wonderful passers of the ball but, at a combined age of 65, there is an obvious problem: They lack mobility and are thus at their most effective with rather more energy alongside them.

Morgan Schneiderlin should surely have been the first choice in central midfield for Van Gaal, with either Carrick or Schweinsteiger then working from the platform he might have provided.

United are paying for disjointed recruitment

Luke Shaw’s injury was a cruel blow, but the loss of a left-back would not have had such an impact on a properly balanced squad.

Louis van Gaal has already tried Matteo Darmian at left-back and started here with Ashley Young, but the full-back positions were clearly targeted by Arsenal early in the game.

The problem is admittedly compounded by the current absence of Marcos Rojo, but United still look short of a centre-back. It has left Van Gaal persisting with Daley Blind alongside Chris Smalling when Blind’s versatility would have made him a more natural solution at left-back to Shaw.

With close to £250 million (S$541 million) spent since the retirement of Alex Ferguson, United really should have greater defensive depth.

Only injury should keep Cech out of Arsenal team

It was a very good day for Arsene Wenger, although it did still only deepen the mystery that surrounds his decision not to start Petr Cech in the “must win” Champions League tie against Olympiacos.

The attacking fluency of Sanchez, Ozil and Walcott might ultimately have been decisive, but the steadying influence of Cech was still also evident.

Arsenal have form for letting leads slip and, with 70 minutes still to play once they went 3-0 ahead, there was the real danger of a wobble had they conceded close to half-time. A wonderful chance fell to Anthony Martial, who hooked the ball with his back to goal, and spun around to fire a sizzler, but Cech made a vital save with his left leg and was then typically solid throughout the second-half as Arsenal absorbed United’s possession.

It makes sense to rest Cech and give David Ospina game-time in some of the domestic cup competitions, but there is no logic for rotation in important Premier League or Champions League matches.

Rooney still looks short of form and fitness

It has been a good season so far for Wayne Rooney’s public image.

His two England penalties earlier in the season took him clear of Bobby Charlton’s all-time goalscoring record and his career generally has begun to get more of the credit it deserves.

The new BBC documentary into his life behind football was also a public relations masterstroke and will do much to show the sometimes under-appreciated humour, intelligence and popularity of Rooney away from football.

He has been a very good captain for Manchester United and England. Yet there is still a problem. His general form this season has been poor. Yes, there are still flashes of great quality, but the relentless energy and consistency that were once such hallmarks are largely absent.

He looks short of fitness and, on current form, both Van Gaal and Roy Hodgson must wonder if he should still be such an automatic starter in their teams.

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