Manchester United's title chances took a blow Sunday with a 1-0 defeat at Arsenal that left the Premier League leader just three points ahead of Chelsea with three games remaining.
Aaron Ramsey scored his first Premier League goal of the season in the 56th minute to cap a dominant performance by the home side.
Robin van Persie carried the ball into the area and was given time by United's defense to weigh up his options. The Netherlands striker picked out the unmarked Ramsey for the midfielder to place a first-time shot from 15 meters (yards) across goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar and in at the far post.
With Arsenal still six points behind United, the victory may have come too late to re-ignite the Gunners' title hopes. But defending champion Chelsea now has the chance to move above United when the teams meet at Old Trafford next weekend.
''I have not given up any hope. We want to fight until the last second of the season,'' Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. ''But the best position remains Manchester United. I still make United strong favorites. They play at home for the title.
''If we want a small chance, we now have to hope that Chelsea wins.''
The closest United came to scoring was when Wayne Rooney curled a 49th-minute free kick toward the top corner, where goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny saved. Patrice Evra then put a shot from the rebound into the side netting.
Szczesny also blocked a near-post shot from Nani following a length-of-the-field counterattack in the 77th but Arsenal, which had drawn its last three home matches and lost 2-1 at Bolton last weekend, held firm.
''It gives Chelsea a major chance now,'' United manager Alex Ferguson said. ''But in terms of ability - a game at Old Trafford - the supporters will be ready for it and so will our players.''
Its dominance came despite the absence of captain Cesc Fabregas, who was on the sidelines with a sore thigh following a kick during training Friday.
His absence meant that Ramsey, Jack Wilshere and Alex Song all played in a muscular midfield that prevented United from settling.
And with United stalwart Ryan Giggs missing because of 'flu, Arsenal dominated possession - taking 80 percent in the first 15 minutes and 57 percent overall.
Wilshere missed a good chance to put Arsenal ahead in the third minute, dragging a shot wide from the edge of the area after defender Nemanja Vidic had sliced away Theo Walcott's curling right-wing cross. Walcott stretched to reach a cross by Gael Clichy moments later but hit the ball over the bar.
And United was lucky not to conceded a penalty in the 30th when Vidic used his hand to subtly deflect Walcott's cross away from Van Persie's head.
With Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri forced out of the game at halftime because of a hamstring problem, United began to get a foothold.
Rooney had his free kick and Nani curled in a cross that just eluded teammate Javier Hernandez, but Ramsey - screaming for the ball with his arms aloft - shot past Van der Sar to end Arsenal's seven-match winless streak against United.
