Arsenal were supposed to have the rookie goalkeeper at Highbury but it was Manchester United who found their last line of defence wanting as they went down 3-1.

	Whoops! Barthez's second howler gifts Thierry Henry goal number three (PhilCole/Allsport)

The Gunners' 20-year-old Premiership debutant Stuart Taylor repelled United's desperate late surge to make sure of victory and leave his opposite number Fabien Barthez to suffer complete and utter humiliation for at least the second time this season.

For 45 minutes at Highbury, United's much-criticised defence were superb.

But in the second half they were awful.

Arsenal were struggling to haul themselves towards a victory to revive their Premiership challenge, Barthez twice having denied Thierry Henry when the French striker had possession in his penalty area.

Then, though, with all the time in the world Barthez contrived to mis-kick his clearance straight to Henry who converted the easy chance with aplomb.

To add insult to injury, Henry was then allowed to skip past his international team-mate who had rushed headlong out of the safety zone and lost control of the ball. Once again he converted the chance to make it 3-1.

Earlier the French striker failed to seriously trouble Barthez with three first-half free-kicks and, against the run of play, United seized the lead on 15 minutes.

Taylor, forced into action with David Seaman and Richard Wright injured, was left exposed by his defence as Lauren slipped and Mikael Silvestre nipped around him to the byline.

With Sol Campbell drawn out of position, Paul Scholes who had so controversially missed United's last visit to Highbury in the Worthington Cup earlier this month was left unmarked to swivel and score.

Arsenal's pressure resumed. But United, for the time being, stood firm as Robert Pires shot straight at Barthez who also denied Henry with his legs.

As an attacking threat, United were virtually non-existent. David Beckham had little influence, and Ruud van Nistelrooy headed their only other chance over the bar.

	Freddie Ljungberg celebrates the leveller at Highbury (PhilCole/Allsport)

Then United's defensive resilience lasted for less than three minutes of the second half as Neville needlessly conceded possession to Pires and Ljungberg pounced.

That was game on. Arsenal's pressure resumed, but now with added belief and penetration.

Ferguson responded with a double substitution. Phil Neville replaced Silvestre, and Dwight Yorke who has been linked with a possible move from Old Trafford came on for Juan Veron as Scholes moved deeper.

It had little effect. Still Arsenal flooded forward, as United's defence creaked and groaned before finally collapsing spectacularly.