Barthez blunders give Arsenal the points

Two spectacular blunders by Fabien Barthez handed France team-mate Thierry Henry his 16th and 17th goals of the season and Arsenal…

Two spectacular blunders by Fabien Barthez handed France team-mate Thierry Henry his 16th and 17th goals of the season and Arsenal a stunning victory over Manchester United at Highbury.

After Gunners clawed back an early deficit, Barthez - under no pressure and taking his time after accepting a back-pass - sent a scuffed kick straight to Henry who trapped it on the edge of the box and pressed on to slot home 10 minutes from time.

Then, five minutes later, Barthez won the race with Henry for a through-ball but let it slip from his grasp and allowed the Arsenal striker to slide the ball into an empty net.

Arsenal fully deserved their first victory in five Premiership games to climb over United into third place in the table, but had seen a battery of attacks stubbornly resisted by United's disciplined defending until Barthez's double-blunder.

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Paul Scholes first Premiership goal of the season had given United a 15th-minute lead against the run of play and Barthez distinguished himself with some good saves as Arsenal kept the pressure on.

But he was helpless to prevent Freddie Ljungberg's superb finish for a 49th-minute lead after Gary Neville had given the ball away.

PA