United Pose the Final Test for Arsenal to Prove Trophy Credentials

Arsenal have the chance to win over their remaining doubters this weekend when they play Manchester United in a game that may just prove they are serious contenders on multiple fronts this season.

Despite Arsenal's fantastic start to the season, just one week ago there were still doubts as to whether this team could genuinely compete for honours both domestically and in Europe. There were arguments made that the north London club had yet to come through a real test, even though they had beaten Italian big-spenders Napoli and bitter rivals Tottenham.

Arsenal would struggle against an in-form Liverpool and couldn't possibly beat Borussia Dortmund in Germany, claimed the naysayers. Now Arsene Wenger's side sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League and in control of their fate in the Champions League after victory in the Westfalenstadion.

Next up the Gunners face what could be the final test of their credentials as they travel to Old Trafford on the back of winning 14 out of their last 15 away games. Victory over Manchester United will not only be another huge statement of intent from Wenger's side but it will end a run that stretches back to 2006.

Arsenal have not won at Old Trafford since Emmanuel Adebayor scored in the 86th minute to hand them a 1-0 win over United. Since then they have lost five and drawn just once, conceding some 15 goals in the process.

But Wenger's side go into the game full of confidence and ready to expose a United side that have already lost three Premier League games and are still adjusting to life with David Moyes at the helm.

Victory over Manchester United would round-off a remarkable week for Arsenal and Wenger has called for his side to produce a similar display to the one that saw them overcome Dortmund and keep a clean sheet in the process.

"It strengthens the belief of my team that we can put another great performance in another massive game on Sunday," said Wenger after seeing his side defeat last season's Champions League finalists. "We want this kind of performance again."

United striker Wayne Rooney admitted that he was expecting a difficult game but believed that Moyes' side could gain a valuable win that would boost their own title credentials.

However, it is Arsenal who approach the game full of confidence and with one of the most feared midfield line-ups in world football. With Olivier Giroud also firing and a defence that looks on top of its game, Wenger may finally have a team capable of ending their long search for a trophy.