Arsenal v Manchester United - in pictures

After their 8-2 humiliation at Old Traffiord earlier this season, Arsenal were keen for retribution at the Emirates. The Gunners had undergone a transformation following a poor start to the season, but successive league defeats since the New Year have faded those aspriations. Now they are more concerned with securing fourth place; United, meanwhile, remain very much on the shoulders of the league leaders Manchester City, who beat Tottenham 3-2 earlier on Sunday Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

The major team news is that Thierry Henry is unfit to play for Arsenal. However, Paul Scholes will be taking to the field for United Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

The first half is a tame affair, with chances scant for both sides. Here, Danny Welbeck has a shot blocked by Laurent Koscielny Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Johan Djourou is struggling to play in the unorthodox position of right-back ... and Nani seems well aware of his fragility Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

But it isn't until the final seconds of the first half that a goal is scored - Antonio Valencia rising above Thomas Vermaelen to head home Ryan Giggs' cross Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

The second half provides more entertainment and incident. Here, Chris Smalling wins a header for United in a cluttered penalty box Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Robin van Persie skips through tackles from Michael Carrick and Giggs as Arsenal look increasingly threatening Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

But the Dutchman wastes a glorious opportunity as he side-foots wide from close range after nimbly collecting Thomas Rosicky's angled pass Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Fortunately for Arsenal, it isn't long before Van Persie finds the net. His goal - a low shot across the face of the keeper - was a product of a swift counter-attack started by Koscielny and furthered by the excellent youngster Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

But no sooner has Oxlade-Chamberlain created the equaliser than Arsène Wenger decides to bring him off. The decision prompts a chorus of booing from the home fans - a sound Wenger has seldom endured in his tenure at Arsenal. This was Oxlade-Chamberlain's first start for the club, but the crowd saw no logic in removing the team's most creative asset on account of his youth Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Van Persie is not a happy man and is seen mouthing the word 'no' as the substitution goes ahead Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

And it proves to be a fateful decision by Wenger as Andrey Arshavin - Oxlade-Chamberlain's replacement - fails to halt Valencia's run down the left flank which results in an 81st minute goal for Welbeck Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Wenger is livid, but he's only really got himself to blame Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Arsenal are unable to rescue a draw and suffer their third successive league defeat. United, meanwhile, have matched City's victory earlier in the day and once again find themselves just three points adrift of the league leaders. Final score: 1-2 Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian