Arsenal outclass Sunderland, United outfight Chelsea

Thierry Henry inspired Arsenal to a 3-1 victory over Sunderland at Highbury on Saturday. Henry personified the gulf in class between the two sides. The current double PFA and Professional football writers player of the year running the show and scoring twice, and Sunderland didn't have the answer to stop the flamboyant Frenchman, who was in ruthless mood.

Robin Van Persie vindicated Arsene Wenger's decision to start him, with a well taken typically Arsenal style goal, his 5th goal in 4 games.

Van Persie's left foot is a hammer and a wand mixed into one. I like him because he's not afraid to give the ball a smack. No nonsense. This guy has a big future.

Henry converted Lauren's right wing cross after a neat overlapping interchange and Arsenal were in cruise control. There was a certain inevitability about the result as Sunderland looked dazed and mesmerised by Arsenal's sharp movements and froze like a stray animal caught in the headlights of a juggernaut. Before they recovered they had been crushed.

Sunderland were poor in the first half, they were not aggressive enough and kept a dangerously high defensive line. The Mackams improved in the second period, but the damage was done and despite Alan Stubbs' goal Arsenal were in no real danger and Henry completed the scoring late on with a typically well taken goal from Fabregas' through ball.

Alan Smith was as much a talisman for Man Utd as Henry was for Arsenal. United played 4-4-2 and caused Chelsea problems. Chelsea struggle more when teams play 4-4-2. Rooney was allowed to roam and unsettled Terry in the first half. If you try and match them man for man in the same formation they will beat you.

Smith hustled and harried and did the simple things right. He tracked his man and tackled hard. That epitomised they way United played and was they key to their victory.

Mourinho got it wrong. He baffles me with his constant exclusion of Gudjohnsen. He is a very intelligent player and gives them something different than the cut and thrust of players such as Duff or Cole. Gudjohnsen came on and Chelsea were marginally the better team in the second half.

Chelsea didn't play badly, but neither did Arsenal last season. They probably deserved at least a point, like Chelsea yesterday. Two defeats from two WILL affect their confidence. A lack of confidence can become a barrier. If a team plays with slightly less belief it becomes easy to still play well but not win. It is too early to say Chelsea will recover. Time will tell.

The unbeaten run remains.