Van Persie helps United sink Arsenal

SaturdayMan United 2 - 1 ArsenalFulham 2 - 2 EvertonNorwich C. 1 - 0 Stoke C.Sunderland 0 - 1 Aston VillaSwansea C. 1 - 1 ChelseaTottenham H. 0 - 1 Wigan AthleticTodayQPR vs Reading 15:30 SS3 Liverpool vs Newcastle 18:00 SS3 LONDON - Robin van Persie was on target against his old club as Manchester United brushed Arsenal aside for a 2-1 victory that sent them to the top of the Premier League on Saturday.The prolific Dutchman, who joined United from Arsenal in August having scored 37 league goals for the Gunners last season, needed less than three minutes to put the hosts ahead after a mistake by Thomas Vermaelen and Patrice Evra wrapped up a comfortable win with a 67th minute header.Santi Cazorla netted in injury time for an otherwise disappointing Arsenal, who were reduced to 10 men after the break when recently returned midfielder Jack Wilshere was sent off for a second yellow card.Wayne Rooney also missed a penalty for United on the stroke of halftime but it never looked like proving costly.United have 24 points from 10 games and will remain on top if Chelsea (22 points) fail to win at Swansea City later on Saturday.Champions Manchester City, in third place on 21 points, conclude the day’s Premier League action with a testing trip to West Ham United.Arsenal lost the corresponding fixture 8-2 last season and while they never looked in danger of such a thrashing again, the final scoreline rather flattered Arsene Wenger’s side.Without Van Persie’s goals they have looked toothless in the Premier League this season and Wenger’s side are already falling well off the pace, having picked up 15 points from 10 games.Almost inevitably it was Van Persie who was their tormentor. “A special day, in the end it was quite a game,” Van Persie, who did not celebrate his goal, told Sky Sports.