Arsenal 2 Manchester Utd 1:Arsene Wenger got the response he wanted as Arsenal bounced back from their recent turmoil to take the points and jump ahead of United in a pulsating Premier League encounter at the Emirates Stadium

Wenger also looks to have unearthed yet another French scoring machine after €16m summer signing Samir Nasri claimed a stunning double to show that the manager has not lost his touch when it comes to talent spotting.

Missing the injured Emmanuel Adebayor and suspended Robin van Persie, the 21-year-old French international scored a goal in each half and had chances to record a memorable hat-trick in his most complete performance since his arrival from Marseille in the summer.

Substitute Rafael Da Silva got one back for United at the end of regulation time and the home support were anxious when six minutes of added time went up on the board.

But there was to be no Spurs-like comeback from Alex Ferguson's side as Arsenal go two points clear of their rivals into third place in the table.

United were given an early opportunity following a mix-up involving one of their former players.

Mikael Silvestre clipped a backpass to Almunia and the goalkeeper picked up the ball. Anderson's shot from the free-kick was blocked by team-mate Ji-Sung Park, then Michael Carrick fired the rebound wide from the edge of the area.

Dimitar Berbatov also had the ball in the net but was ruled offside when he followed up Wayne Rooney's shot.

Then it was Arsenal's turn to attack. Nicklas Bendtner headed over from Gael Clichy's cross, and then the striker was millimetres away from contact when Nasri swung a ball over.

Abou Diaby had a clear sight of goal when Edwin van der Sar flapped, but his effort was blocked by Carrick.

Rooney was guilty of wasting the clearest opportunity of the opening period when he flashed over after Cristiano Ronaldo's intelligent pull-back.

Nasri's opener came midway through the first half, after Patrice Evra fouled Bacary Sagna on the right touchline.

Berbatov headed away the free-kick as far as Nasri, who fizzed a volley at goal that took a deflection off Gary Neville to wrong foot Van der Sar and fly in.

United almost replied when Clichy only just cleared his own post as he tried clear a free-kick. William Gallas had been booked for his trip on Evra to lead to the set-piece.

The visitors also had a penalty shout when Denilson tugged Berbatov in the area.

Arsenal tried to counter-attack — and Cesc Fabregas went just wide of the post with one effort, while Van der Sar stuck our a hand to stop Silvestre stabbing home from a corner.

The intensity stepped up a level before the break, and Evra and Sagna both received yellow cards from referee Howard Webb.

Nasri's second came three minutes after the restart. Fabregas wriggled around Neville and spotted Nasri unmarked in the penalty area, with the France youngster given enough space to bide his time and lash past Van der Sar.

Ronaldo was presented with a chance to pull a goal back  mmediately. But his finish, after meeting Park's cross with a first-time volley, went just the wrong side of Almunia's post.

Clichy then clattered into Ronaldo and earned a booking, the action almost non-stop at this stage.

Rooney had a header saved by Almunia and was inches from getting on the end of a Ronaldo cross — while Carrick picked up a yellow when he caught Almunia with a boot to the head.

Almunia's injury forced him off, and Lukasz Fabianski was required off the bench for the last 12 minutes.

Rafael volleyed home beautifully right on 90 minutes but Arsenal held on after six minutes of injury time for the win they needed.