SAMI MOKBEL: This is how we remember Arsenal versus Manchester United: full throttle, relentless, and breathless. This rivalry is vital to English football. It's great to have them back.

 SAMI MOKBEL: This is how we remember Arsenal vs. Manchester United: full throttle, relentless, and out of breath. This rivalry is extremely important in English football. It's wonderful to have them back.

Arsenal defeated Manchester United 3-2 at the Emirates on Sunday.

Following this crucial victory, Arsenal now leads the Premier League by five points.

It was a thrilling and breathless battle reminiscent of the glory days of their rivalry.

To use a slogan synonymous with Merseyside's red side: this meant more. At least, that's how it felt.

The tackle was noticeably crunchier, and the pass was noticeably crisper.

'What a game, it's a proper football match,' says one. 'This is vintage Manchester United and Arsenal,' said Gary Neville, co-commentator for Sky Sports.

Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal led the line brilliantly with a brace as his team defeated Manchester United.

He was correct; this was Arsenal versus Manchester United as we remember it: full speed, relentless, and breathless. It was fitting that Sir Alex Ferguson and David Beckham were present to see it all take place.

Two veterans of this match when it was at its most ferocious; a war between two teams at the pinnacle of English and European football.

They recall Martin Keown's animalistic roar in the face of Ruud van Nistlerooy in 2003 when the Dutchman missed from the spot.

They recall Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira's brawl two years later in the Highbury tunnel.

It came in a 3-2 victory that moves Arsenal five points clear at the top of the Premier League.

They recall Sylvain Wiltord scoring the winning goal for Arsenal at Old Trafford.

They recall Pizzagate. They recall Ryan Giggs' goal.

That was a golden era that will never be repeated; a fierce conflict between two teams that despised each other completely.

It has become less enthralling in recent years, with this once-unmissable clash losing its allure as both clubs struggle to match the standards set by their illustrious predecessors.

The game evoked the bitter rivalry between managers Arsene Wenger (L) and Sir Alex Ferguson (R). Arsenal has struggled since Wenger's departure. Manchester United has struggled since Ferguson's retirement.

Regrettably, the gloom has spread to the field, and for years this once epic rivalry has failed to live up to the hype.

That is often the case when nothing but pride - or a place in the top four - is at stake.

Nothing gets those competitive juices flowing - or the 'edge,' as the footballing fraternity refers to it - like silverware on the line.

Nonetheless, we've yearned for the legendary clashes of the 2000s.

Manchester United's Marcus Rashford opened the scoring in an exciting game.

We no longer yearn based on this evidence. Arsenal vs. Manchester United is back, and this time with a vengeance.

This was a domestic battle that was both enthralling and inspiring. You couldn't take your gaze away from it, just like it used to.

United scored first, and Arsenal responded. The Gunners took the lead only to have Lisandro Martinez pull them back. It took the most egregious of offside calls, as determined by VAR, to separate them.

Like two punch drunk boxers who refuse to give up. Arsenal vs. Manchester United is exactly what it should be.

Bukayo Saka, in fine form, scored with a brilliant strike from outside the box.

Ferguson, who was seated next to United chief executive Richard Arnold, was beaming from ear to ear when the cameras panned towards him midway through the second half.

It's no coincidence that Arsenal led the Premier League heading into this game, while United knew a win would bring them within five points of the leaders.

This once-fertile box office rivalry is reigniting, owing to the fact that they have more at stake than just pride.

You hope this isn't an isolated incident lasting 90 minutes. This rivalry is essential for English football.

Fortunately, the evidence points to this becoming the norm rather than the exception.

Both Arsenal and Erik ten Hag's Manchester United are on the rise in English football, and Mikel Arteta is creating something special here at the Emirates Stadium. On a tense evening, they looked every inch Premier League title winners.

They are currently finding all of the answers, much to Manchester City's chagrin.

Similarly, United are on the rise under Erik Ten Hag; what this team lacked in attacking cohesion, it more than made up for in resilience and will.

Arsenal and Manchester United are re-emerging as legitimate forces. It's great to have them back, especially if they keep providing entertainment like this.

This was a football match full of guts and gusto that will live long in the memory. Arsenal was ultimately victorious.