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Wayne Rooney of Manchester United celebrates scoring his side's fourth goal with team mate Anderson and Javier Hernandez during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford. (Right) Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger reacts during their English Premier League soccer match against Manchester United at Old Trafford, Manchester, England. (Getty Images/AP)
Arsenal conceded eight goals for the first time since 1896 as Manchester United, inspired by a Wayne Rooney hat-trick, romped to an incredible 8-2 victory over the 10-man Gunners at Old Trafford on Sunday.
United's stunning display lifted the champions to the top of the Premier League with a 100 per cent record from three matches, just hours after rivals Manchester City had issued their own statement of intent with a 5-1 win at Tottenham.
The embarrassing defeat illustrated the work required in the transfer market by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, whose position could be questioned after this demolition.
In an afternoon to forget for a makeshift Arsenal side, who saw Carl Jenkinson receive a late red card, Wenger endured one of his most humiliating results of his long tenure with the Gunners.
Wenger's side have yet to win in the Premier League this season and this setback will send shockwaves through their camp.
As well as Rooney's treble, Ashley Young helped himself to two goals, with further strikes coming from Nani and substitute Park Ji Sung after Danny Welbeck had scored the opening goal.
Theo Walcott and Robin van Persie replied for Arsenal, who also had Carl Jenkinson sent off.
It was only a matter of time before the visitors' defence was breached with Welbeck punishing them in the 22nd minute.
Laurent Koscielny's header fell to Anderson outside the box who chipped back in towards his striker.
Johan Djourou and Koscielny were outmuscled and Welbeck nodded past the stranded Wojciech Szczesny.
Totally against the run of play, Van Persie had the chance level from the spot.
Walcott had his heel clipped by Jonny Evans and referee Howard Webb gave the England winger the benefit of the doubt.
However, Van Persie's effort was saved by David de Gea.
United doubled their lead with a sublime curling effort from Young.
He turned Francis Coquelin inside-out before bending the ball into the top corner from 25 yards.
Rooney then struck with a brilliant free-kick from the edge of the box.
Walcott gave the Gunners a lifeline.
Walcott sprinted into the box, latched on to the ball and shot through De Gea's legs.
Rooney then curled another sumptuous free-kick past Szczesny.
Within minutes, United had their fifth. Smalling raced into the Arsenal half, found Rooney who played in Nani to cheekly chip the ball in.
It was Nani's last action as he and Anderson were taken off with Ryan Giggs and Park coming on.
Park was next to get on the scoresheet as his low shot squirmed through the legs of Djourou into the bottom corner.
Van Persie grabbed Arsenal's second from Carl Jenkinson's deep cross.
Jenkinson's picked up a second yellow card for a foul on Hernandez.
United hadn't stopped there though and when Evra was fouled by Walcott, Rooney was more than happy to hammer home his hat-trick.
And Young sealed Arsenal's misery with an eighth in added time.
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