Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang grabs winner for Arsenal against mediocre Manchester United

Arsenal had waited a long time for this. It was 14 years since they claimed three points at Old Trafford, 30 league games since they won away at any of the big six. Mikel Arteta had secured flagship wins against the elite clubs at the Emirates Stadium and Wembley.

Now he has one on enemy territory, too, and a manager whose first win came against Manchester United, back in January, had another landmark triumph. After 1-0 defeats in their previous two league games, Arsenal could savour the scoreline.

But for United, the lack of home comforts is an ever greater concern. They may have walloped RB Leipzig 5-0 but they are yet to beat English opposition at Old Trafford this season.

Arsenal became the third visitors from the capital to win and while this was the first time since 1936 they had kicked off against the Gunners with both sides in the lower half of the table, only United were marooned there at the final whistle. It was a wretched 100th game in charge for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. His side were mediocre.

For Arteta, it was a tactical triumph. Arsenal were so impressive in the first half that they forced United to change shape. They got their reward in the second.

If creating chances for their most potent finisher has been one of their problems, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ended his longest Premier League goal drought.

The Arsenal captain had not struck since the opening-day win at Fulham but he sent David de Gea the wrong way from 12 yards. He was aided by United’s record signing, whose comeback to the league starting 11 was an unhappy affair.

Paul Pogba was dropped after the 6-1 defeat to Tottenham. Recalled, he conceded a penalty by catching Hector Bellerin. Nor did Pogba have much else to enjoy. Solskjaer retained the diamond system in midfield that had worked so well against Leipzig. This particular diamond was not forever; indeed, it only lasted 45 minutes.

In theory, United had a numerical advantage in the centre of midfield but Arsenal imposed themselves. They pressed high up the pitch and disrupted United’s rhythm. They possessed the game’s outstanding player.

Thomas Partey’s energy and ability to regain the ball explained why Arteta wanted him, but he also instigated attacks with progressive passing and stung the palms of David de Gea with a fiercely-struck shot. Arteta, who had sprung a surprise by omitting both of Granit Xhaka and Dani Ceballos to pair Partey with Mohamed Elneny, was justified.

Behind them, a fit-again Rob Holding and Gabriel were booked in quick succession with an hour remaining. The Brazilian was spared a second yellow card for a foul on Mason Greenwood later; otherwise, though, each excelled.

Greenwood and Marcus Rashford were so starved of service before the break that when they combined it produced United’s sole shot of any variety before the break. Rashford curled a low pass through the Arsenal defence. Greenwood met it with a first-time shot that Bernd Leno blocked at his near post.

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Classic clashes between United and Arsenal at Old Trafford

October 20, 1990 - Manchester United 0 Arsenal 1 (Limpar 42'): Granted, this game came just before the start of the Premier League (yes, there was such a time) but it was one that should be considered the kindling to the fire that eventually raged between the two clubs. A second-half tackle by Arsenal's Nigel Winterburn on Denis Irwin would spark a fracas involving all but one of the 22 players on the pitch. Only Gunners goalkeeper David Seaman decided he did not fancy joining in. It lasted little over 20 seconds but would result in both teams being fined and deducted points. Arsenal would still go on to win the title, though. Getty

March 14, 1998 - Manchester United 0 Arsenal 1 (Overmars 79'): A late goal from Dutch winger Marc Overmars gave Arsene Wenger's side hope of overtaking Alex Ferguson's United in the title race. It left the Gunners six points behind United but with three games in their favour, destiny was in their own hands. And the win would prove to be just the boost Arsenal needed as they would go on to win their next eight games and secure the double in Wenger's first full season in charge. Getty

February 25, 2001 - Manchester United 6 (Yorke 3', 18' & 22', Keane 26', Solskjaer 38', Sheringham 90') Arsenal 1 (Henry 16'): A humiliating afternoon for Wenger and Arsenal as reigning champions United produced a thrilling football masterclass with five brilliant first-half goals. Striker Dwight Yorke scored a remarkable hat-trick in the first 22 minutes. Ferguson's side would go on to secure their third title on the trot. Getty

May 8, 2002 - Manchester United 0 Arsenal 1 (Wiltord 56'): One of the greatest nights of Wenger's reign as his team secured the Double at their arch-rivals on their home turf. French attacker Sylvain Wiltord's goal secured the points as the Gunners celebrated on the pitch in front of the away fans in a virtually empty Old Trafford. The balance of power had swung again. Getty

September 21, 2003 - Manchester United 0 Arsenal 0: If a match summed up just how fierce the rivalry between the two clubs reached during the Ferguson-Wenger years, it was this one. After a tight, hard-fought battle, striker Ruud van Nistelrooy had blasted an injury time penalty against the crossbar denying his team all three points. But it was the reaction of Arsenal players, who felt Van Nistelrooy had earlier over-reacted to get captain Patrick Vieira sent-off, that went down in footballing infamy. Martin Keown had led the way in shoving the Dutchman and screaming in his face. He would later be banned and fined for his troubles. Arsenal would go on to win the title - a feat they have not managed again. Getty

October 24, 2004 - Manchester United 2 (Van Nistelrooy pen 73', Rooney 90) Arsenal 0: After the ferocious goading he received missing the last-minute penalty a year earlier, revenge was sweet for Van Nistelrooy. The Dutchman made no mistake from the spot this time round and Wayne Rooney sealed the points in the last minute and ended Arsenal's record-breaking 49-match unbeaten run. But it was the fracas after the match - forever to be known as "Battle of the Buffet" or "Pizzagate" - that the game will be remembered for, when various food stuffs were launched between the two sets of players and coaching staffs. AFP

September 17, 2006 - Manchester United 0 Arsenal 1 (Adebayor 86'): Emmanuel Adebayor scored the late winner for Arsenal in match that had earlier seen United's debutant keeper Tomasz Kuszczak save Gilberto's penalty. Incredibly, the Gunners did not win another league game at Old Trafford until 2020. United would go on to win the first of four titles in the next five years as Ferguson's side took firm control of the rivalry. Getty

August 29 2009 - Manchester United 2 (Rooney pen 59', Diaby og 64') Arsenal 1 (Arshavin 40'): A hugely frustrating day for Arsenal as they saw Andrey Arshavin's first-half finish overturned in five minutes after the break by Rooney's penalty - following a needless foul be keeper Manuel Almunia - and Abou Diaby's headed own goal. Arsenal attacker Robin van Persie's injury-time strike was ruled out for offside, resulting in manager Wenger being sent to the stands for kicking away a plastic bottle in anger. The Frenchman initially tried standing behind the dugout after the sending off and the sight of Wenger with his arms outstretched surrounded by jeering United fans remains one of the fixture's most memorable images. Getty

August 28, 2011 - Manchester United 8 (Welbeck 22', Young', Rooney 41', 76' & pen 82', Nani 67', Park 70', Young 90+1') Arsenal 2 (Waclott 45+3, Van Persie 74'): One of the darkest days of Wenger's managerial reign at the North London club and a sign of just how far behind United his team had fallen. Arsenal's team was weakened by injury and suspension and United took full advantage, with Rooney scoring a hat-trick in the Gunners' worst defeat since 1896. Getty

February 28, 2016 - Manchester United 3 (Rashford 29', 32', Herrera 65') Arsenal 2 (Welbeck 40', Ozil 69'): Ferguson had now retired but United's stranglehold over Wenger and Arsenal remained. Teenager Marcus Rashford catapulted himself into the Premier League spotlight with two goals, coming days after a debut double against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League. The game would also be remembered for Dutch manager Louis van Gall taking a bizarre fall to the ground in front of the fourth official trying to make a point about Arsenal players diving. Despite United winning again, Arsenal would finish above them for the second season running. Getty

April 29, 2018 - Manchester United 2 (Pogba 16', Fellaini 90+1) Arsenal 1(Mkhitaryan 51'): An agonising end to Wenger's final game at Old Trafford as Arsenal manager. Before the match, Wenger had been presented with a silver vase as the Frenchman was given a warm reception by home fans. But the game itself was a disappointment for Wenger as a last-gasp header from Marouane Fellaini earned United three points. After 22 years in charge, Wenger would finally head for exit at the end of the season. Reuters

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When United returned for the second half, it was playing 4-2-3-1. They posed more of a threat and Harry Maguire looped a header wide from Luke Shaw’s free kick but the closest they came, in the final minutes, was when Elneny and Leno deflected Donny van de Beek’s cross on to the post.

And Arsenal had merited their lead. They had almost gone ahead earlier. Goals have been in short supply but Willian was agonisingly close to a first for his new club.

The Brazilian had begun by coughing up possession time and again. He impressed rather more by linking up with Aubameyang, who backheeled a return pass. The former Chelsea winger’s rising shot clipped the bar on its way over.

Willian was involved again when Hector Bellerin crossed and United’s static defence afforded Bukayo Saka a free header. He, too, cleared the bar.

Aubameyang’s radar was awry when he curled a shot wide after being found by Alexandre Lacazette. But when he struck, Arsenal had their first league win at Old Trafford since another African attacker, Emmanuel Adebayor, scored in 2006.