THIS is what Manchester United supporters used to recognise as ‘Squeaky Bum Time’ back in the era when they were involved in title races.

On a tense afternoon at Old Trafford, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal felt the full heat of Manchester – the humidity of the weather and the exhaustion which comes from chasing a relentless Manchester City.

Leandro Trossard turned home from Kai Havertz’s cross

The win takes Arsenal back to the summit of the Premier League table

Man Utd have won just one of their last eight Premier League games

Man Utd had more of the ball but could not turn it into clear-cut chances

A few weeks ago, it looked unlikely that Arteta’s side would win away at both Spurs and United during their run-in but they have overcome those two most significant obstacles and are still likely to fall short.

Arsenal are unbeaten away in the Premier League in 2024, dropping points only at the Etihad, where they played for a goalless draw and got one.

It was another disappointing afternoon for Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag

Six years post-Wenger, Arsenal are light years ahead of anywhere United have ever been during the 11 years since Ferguson left.

United had won just once in their last seven league matches and that at home to Sheffield United, one of the worst teams in Premier League history.

Ten Hag’s side had gone a long way to wrecking Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool farewell tour, in the FA Cup and in the league but with the injury list lengthening and morale plummeting, a repeat looked unlikely.

The Dutchman, dressed appropriately in sackcloth brown, named a starting eleven which looked every bit as mid-table as United are.

Arsenal were shaky at first pass, Thomas Partey was robbed on the edge of his own box, Declan Rice played an absent-minded back-pass, David Raya slipped but United never capitalised.

And on 21 minutes, Arsenal were ahead. Ben White – watched by his old mucker England No 2, Steve Holland – sent a fine pass down the right flank for Kai Havertz.

The satin-booted German slipped a low cross in and Trossard darted in from the left, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka an innocent bystander as the winger prodded home.

Casemiro was dawdling to play Havertz onside in the build-up but then United’s central defence consisted of a midfielder whose legs have gone and a 36-year-old Jonny Evans.

It was the Belgian’s sixth goal in nine appearances and the travelling Gooners serenaded him with ‘Trossard again, ole, ole!’

Still, Arsenal looked scruffy and United were having their moments – an Amad Diallo run halted by a trip from Partey, an Alejandro Garnacho cross-shot pushed out by Raya.

Diallo and Sofyan Amrabat were good and whatever Ten Hag says about his injuries, those two could have played more often.

After the break, it remained much the same. United playing above themselves, Arsenal untidy.

Garnacho cut inside two defenders but his shot was way off-beam.

Arteta withdrew his goalscorer and sent on Gabriel Martinelli.

Ten Hag chucked on Antony in place of the injured Diallo but when the Brazilian charged through the middle, after an error from Takehiro Tomiyasu, he shot straight at Raya.

Next, Saka misplaced a pass, McTominay broke and Garnacho shot into the side-netting.

Arsenal had barely threatened since taking the lead, but then Martinelli’s incisive run ended with a shot which was tipped over by Andre Onana.

United continued to threaten, Garnacho’s shot was turned wide by Raya at his near post – but then a Rice long-ranger was pushed wide by Onana.

Late on, thunder rumbled and lightning flashed over Old Trafford but Arsenal walked on through the storm.

They have gone the distance with England’s heavyweight champions. Of that they can be proud.