Manchester United - 0 Arsenal - 0 A famous rivalry shrivelled until all that remained was spite. With Ruud van Nistelrooy missing a penalty in stoppage-time, the possibility disappeared that finesse might be the decisive factor.

The aftermath consumed onlookers' attention and, to Arsenal's concern, there is a high likelihood that the English FA's video advisory panel will settle on their couch to study that mayhem.

Despite it all, there is no risk that the visitors returned to London in a mood of gloom and self-reproach. A side who usually pride themselves on a free-flowing attacking style can also take pleasure in a halting match. High as the Old Trafford stands may be, there was a far greater shadow lying over Arsene Wenger's team.

The 3-0 defeat by Inter Milan on Wednesday hurt Arsenal severely in a variety of ways. Their advance in the Champions League is in doubt, their ineffectiveness against European opposition at Highbury was underlined and the shortage of transfer activity in the summer was made to appear ominous.

Above all, Obafemi Martins and Julio Cruz, the two forwards who both scored that night, had made the Arsenal back four look like a laughing stock. It was to Wenger's great satisfaction therefore there was no glee for Manchester United in this match.

"No one wanted to take the risks needed to score," he said. "We felt like that in particular. It was a great result after losing 3-0 because we had to make sure we didn't go into a crisis of confidence."

The legs trembled when van Nistelrooy was awarded that penalty but they still carried Arsenal past Chelsea and back to the head of the Premiership. Although these are early days, it is important for Wenger's side to convince themselves, as much as anyone else, that the shopping spree at Stamford Bridge and United's commanding financial position will not force them to the margins.

As Cristiano Ronaldo curled a cross over in the last few seconds Martin Keown found the substitute Diego Forlan edging in front of him and bundled the Uruguayan to the ground. As the veteran defender sat on the turf with a resigned expression on his face, there was no protest over the decision by the referee Steve Bennett.

As van Nistelrooy prepared to take the spot-kick Jens Lehman moved manically from side to side just behind the line. Perhaps the Dutch striker was distracted, because his penalty was smashed against the crossbar. Lehmann was advancing towards the forward just before the ball was hit, but the referee's assistant saw no infringement.

Van Nistelrooy may have been unsettled by recent memories. After 18 consecutive penalty conversions, the striker has missed his three most recent efforts, with failures against Arsenal, in the Community Shield, and Bolton preceding yesterday's mishap this season. Alex Ferguson will save his disapproval for the fact a penalty had been their sole hope of scoring.

United enjoyed a haul of five goals against Panathinaikos on Tuesday, but the Greeks had self-destructed before the Premiership champions could lay a finger on them. Arsenal's temperament is far more durable and Ferguson's side missed the guile of the injured Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Paul Scholes.

It is taking United time to accustom themselves to the two-tier midfield system, in which Phil Neville, Roy Keane and Quinton Fortune formed a base in front of the defence, while Ryan Giggs and Ronaldo sought to keep in touch with van Nistelrooy. The employment of this formation means that they can easily marshal large numbers of men behind the ball, but Arsenal could also cause congestion.

As Dennis Bergkamp played even deeper than usual, there was a midfield impasse and, when called upon, the centre backs were dominant. Keown, coming in because Sol Campbell did not take part following the death of his father, was indomitable and his continuing feud with van Nistelrooy stimulated him even if it also inspired mayhem. Kolo Toure also put his athleticism to good use.

There were no glaring opportunities in open play, but Arsenal had the better chances. Following a pass from Thierry Henry and a decoy run by Bergkamp there was space for Ashley Cole to hit a drive in the 26th minute that ran wide.

There was a high level of energy from Freddy Ljungberg and Gary Neville was harassed into a mistake by him when Gilberto hit a long ball through the middle after 47 minutes. The Swede was in the clear, but then lost his footing.

There was a sense these clubs believe their real struggle will come as they chase the title in the closing weeks of the season.