William Gallas got his first goal for Arsenal to help his new side on the way to a 3-0 win over Sheffield United and their first victory at the Emirates Stadium.

A Phil Jagielka own goal as well as the obligatory finish from Thierry Henry sealed the game, but for long periods it looked as if the resilient visitors would be the latest team to leave Arsenal frustrated at their new stadium.

It was United, despite lying bottom of the table and without a Premiership win, who were first to have an attempt on goal. Chris Armstrong struck a decent free-kick, but Jens Lehmann proved equal to the shot, diving low to his right.

It was clear that Neil Warnock had sent out his men with orders to snap in the tackle and get forward when they could.

As they grew in stature and continued to stifle Arsenal, so the game became more scrappy . . . the midfield became congested and chances were scarce. It was a pattern that continued for a while after the interval, albeit with United pegged back a little more, but remaining resolute in defence.

But Arsenal soon began to dominate and goalkeeper Ian Bennet . . . excellent throughout . . . was powerless to prevent Gallas scoring the goal his all-round play deserved when he cracked his shot into the roof of the net to finish off a delicate move on 65 minutes.

It was a blow to United, who had fought bravely . . . and appeared to knock them out of their stride.

Just four minutes later, Henry worked his way down the left flank and his low centre was fluffed by Jagielka who could only watch his intervention divert the ball in.

And Henry rounded off the victory, for a scoreline that was a little flattering, when he headed in Emannuel Eboue's cross from the right.