It was another nightmarish visit by Arsenal to Old Trafford as the Gunners were this afternoon gunned down by old foes Manchester United in the English Premier League’s Match of the Week.

The Gunners, who were hammered 2-8 at the same venue last season, lost 1-2 this time around. Ironically, it was the man Arsenal sold at the start of the season that laid the foundation for their defeat. RVP (Robin van Persie), who suffered incessant abuse from Arsenal’s travelling supporters, drove home the knife with a third minute goal to put the homers in the driving seat. (See photo, courtesy Daily Telegraph.)

The Dutch forward, who skippered left Arsenal until he left for United in a £22m deal in August, took his tally to ten goals in 13 games for Sir Alex Ferguson’s team, who moved to the top of the Premier League after claiming three points in the lunchtime kick-off.

Captain Patrice Evra doubled United’s lead with a 66th minute header, but it would have been worse for the Gunners if Wayne Rooney had not missed a first-half penalty.

Arsenal’s hopes further dimmed following the sending off of midfielder Jack Wilshere sent off for two yellow cards on 69 minutes.

Santi Cazorla scored an excellent goal from the corner of the box seconds before the end of the match but it was too little too late.

The win saw Man U leap to the top of the table following Chelsea’s one-all draw away to Swansea City. Nigerian international Victor Moses nodded in his first league goal for Chelsea in the 61st minute, only for Pablo Hernandez to strike a late equaliser to deny the Blues full honours.

Man U now have 24 points against Chelsea’s 22 while Arsenal are in the sixth position with 15 points.