Arsenal vs Manchester United: Mikel Arteta's Gunners firing on all cylinders in major victory

Mesut Ozil was back to something near his best form (Getty)

Arsenal were deserved winners at the Emirates on New Year's Day as they secured a 2-0 win over Manchester United to reignite their fading top-four hopes.

The Gunners looked like a completely different team from the one that had seemed so lethargic and uninspired under previous manager Unai Emery, as Mikel Arteta's influence began to tell.

Their high intensity and slick passing game paid off with an early goal, scored by Nicolas Pepe, who formed an attacking quartet with Mesut Ozil, Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the first time the four had all started together.

And they added a second shortly before half-time when Sokratis pounced on a loose ball in the six-yard box at a corner to slam home.

United improved in the second half as Arsenal began to tire and the game stretched, but neither side could land another telling blow.

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