Striker helps Gunners down former club Manchester United

Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck is hoping their 2-0 win over Manchester United can prompt a strong finish to the Premier League season.

Welbeck headed the second goal of the game at the Emirates against his former club, soon after Granit Xhaka’s deflected effort had broken the deadlock.

And victory allowed Arsene Wenger’s men to end United’s 25-match unbeaten run and close the gap on their rivals to two points, with a game in hand.

Welbeck told Sky Sports: “It was really important for us to get the victory today with our position in the table.

“We need to be further up there, it’s something we’re all disappointed about, but to get the victory hopefully will give us a good end to the season.”

The England striker had scored against his former club before, in an FA Cup win at Old Trafford, and helped Wenger claim his first triumph against adversary Jose Mourinho in 16 competitive fixtures.

But he said the goal was no more special for those facts, adding: “I grew up there, so it’s a special place in my life but once we get on that pitch it’s just business at the end of the day, to try and get the points for the team and thankfully we did that.”

Aaron Ramsey gave a man of the match display in the Arsenal midfield and went close to opening the scoring in the first half with a shot that was well saved by David De Gea.

And the Welshman admitted he was enjoying playing in the new formation, which saw Rob Holding, Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal line up in a three-man defence once again.

Ramsey said: “I’ve felt good in the games I’ve been playing in, getting into goalscoring positions as well. Playing in that formation gives me a bit more freedom.

“It’s a formation we’re still working on but we’ve shown we can be effective using it. We’re just delighted for ourselves and the fans as well, they deserved to go home with a smile on their face.”

Sixth-placed Arsenal remain an outsider in the race for a top-four Champions League spot, although Liverpool’s goalless draw with Southampton at Anfield allowed them to close the gap on Jurgen Klopp’s side to seven points, with two games in hand.

Ramsey would not be drawn on making any definitive statements about qualifying for European football’s premier competition, but just wants the team to maintain their momentum with the FA Cup final against Chelsea on the horizon on May 27.

He added: “I said a few weeks ago that we have to win every game and we didn’t do that against Tottenham.

“Lets just build on this now and finish the season off strongly, hopefully win them all and see where that takes us.

“Hopefully we can get that confidence to take into the final.”