Arsenal completed a glorious second League and Cup double under Arsene Wenger with a fully deserved 1-0 victory over Premiership rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford this evening. Sylvain Wiltord scored the decisive goal after 57 minutes of a scrappy game which, despite a ferocious opening quarter, failed to live up to pre-match expectations. 3,000 travelling fans witnessed the Gunners maintain their unbeaten away record to claim the club's third double following similar feats in 1971 and 1998.
United boss Alex Ferguson was the perfect loser, shaking hands with Arsene Wenger, after the better side had prevailed with style and substance at the venue that has been home to the Premiership trophy for seven of the last nine season. Despite injuries to Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp Arsenal inflicted an alarming sixth home defeat on the defending champions with a performance of true grit, character and determination, which was in direct contrast to much of their flamboyant performances throughout the season.
Amid a ferocious first-half midfield battle of high intensity, the teams battled head to head like two heavyweight boxers but Arsenal were the more accomplished, combining panache with power. In the second-half, however, there was only one side in it and United eventually caved in all too easily to their sixth home league defeat of the season.
The Premiership title was not actually awarded tonight, that awaits Arsenal at Highbury on Saturday, but it was scant consolation for the deposed champions. The only goal of the game came when Ljungberg burst through United's flimsy defences and although Fabien Barthez blocked his shot, Wiltord was left unmarked to convert the rebound.
Top scorer Ruud Van Nistelrooy was a spectator until the final half-hour when he was summoned from the bench, but his presence did little to inspire a United come back and Arsenal will crown a memorable season by lifting the trophy at Highbury on Saturday.
Filed by Shane Murray
