Arsenal's 11-match unbeaten run was shattered as nemesis Wayne Rooney scored his 100th Premier League goal. Andrey Arshavin had two early opportunities to give Arsenal the lead but United drew first blood when Manuel Almunia tamely palmed Nani s cross int

Arsenal's 11-match unbeaten run was shattered as nemesis Wayne Rooney scored his 100th Premier League goal.

Andrey Arshavin had two early opportunities to give Arsenal the lead but United drew first blood when Manuel Almunia tamely palmed Nani's cross into his own net.

The Brazilian then turned provider when he found the marauding Rooney who swept the ball home majestically to finish off a lightning United break.

Any hopes Arsenal may have had for a second half comeback ended seven minutes after the restart when Park Ji-Sung tore through the defence before slotting past Almunia.

An out of sorts Arsenal rallied in the closing stages and Thomas Vermaelen pulled one back with a deflected effort.

United, however, were far superior side - and Arsene Wenger knew it, even if he stopped short of praising them in the aftermath, instead bemoaning his own side's inadequate display.

"We never had any cohesion in the team and at the end of the day we gave them too much room and were punished," moaned the Frenchman.

"We know we were poor and we know we could do much better than that. We have experienced today that when you are competely off the mark you cannot win.

"We now have to stick together and prepare well for the next game."

Looking ahead to Arsenal's trip to Chelsea on Sunday, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: "I hope Arsenal batter them.