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DANNY WELBECK slotted a late winner to see Manchester United make it home and away victories over Arsenal this season. The England striker was on hand to slot home with nine minutes remaining and give Alex Ferguson's men the perfect follow-up to their 8-2 mauling of the Gunners at Old Trafford last August. Robin van Persie thought he had rescued a point for the home side on 71 minutes, the Flying Dutchman placing a perfect low shot across Anders Lindergaard. That goal had cancelled out Antonio Valencia's first half injury time opener, which set up the thrilling second period in which both sides could have scored more. But while United will be thrilled to stay three points behind table-toppers Manchester City after their win at home to Tottenham, the victory came at a price. Returning defender Phil Jones was taken off on a stretcher early in the game after landing on his left ankle, while Nani limped off late in the game and Wayne Rooney appeared to pick up a knock. Going into the hame, Thierry Henry failed a fitness test for Arsenal, but teenage winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain earned his first Premier League start. Manchester United saw Chris Smalling and Jones return from injury � only for the latter to be carried off on a stretcher on 14 minutes after landing painfully on his left ankle. By that stage Oxlade-Chamberlain had looked the dangerman and Arsenal played in a way that suggested the heavy defeat at Old Trafford was not preying on their minds. Rafael came on for Jones, with Arsenal defenders Mertesacker and Johan Djourou clearing dangerous crosses from United. Ryan Giggs was roaming in from the flank and tested Wojciech Szczesny at his near post from a tight angle in the 23rd minute. At the other end, Oxlade-Chamberlain bamboozled Patrice Evra to sneak in to the United box and lay off to Walcott � who blazed over from 18 yards. United then started to dominate possession, and Rooney was convinced he should have been awarded a penalty after a challenge from Alex Song. Referee Mike Dean was not impressed, despite the England striker's angry protests. Aaron Ramsey saw yellow with three minutes of the half left after fouling Giggs and Rafael was cautioned soon after for arguing with the referee. But the game took a significant twist in first half injury time when Giggs was given space down the left flank and floated over an inch-perfect cross to the far post where Valencia nodded home. Clearly unimpressed by Djourou's contribution, Arsene Wenger hooked the defender at half-time and brought on 18-year-old Nico Yennaris for his league debut. Van Persie was presented with an easy chance to equalise five minutes after the break when Tomas Rosicky pinched the ball off Smalling and squared for him � but he fired wide from 10 yards with the goal gaping. Oxlade-Chamberlain then picked out Ramsey on the edge of the area but he failed to hit the target. Soon after, at the other end, Valencia did the same by crashing a half-volley closer to the corner flag. The game was fully open, and Welbeck was denied by a decisive clearance from Mertesacker just a few yards from the line.