By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter

Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung finally scored his long-awaited first goal of the season against title rival Arsenal Monday morning (KST).

The 28-year-old, who was making his ninth appearance of the 2009-10 season (seven starts and two substitutions), netted his first goal in the second half and the team's third of the night in a 3-1 win over the third-place Gunners.

Along with Park's goal, Wayne Rooney found the net for the 100th time in the Premier League and Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia scored an own goal to help Alex Ferguson's side move to within one point of leader Chelsea in the league table - 54 to 53. Arsenal are on 49 points.

Park's strike was his first since May 2, 2009, when he booted a goal against Middlesbrough.

"I have believed that I will be able to score a goal before the end of the season. I was late to find the net for the first time, but with today's goal, I will try to produce more," Park said after the match.

"The goal will give me a confidence boost."

Since his arrival at Old Trafford in 2005, Park has notched 14 goals for the Red Devils -- three against Arsene Wenger's team, including two at the Gunners' Emirates Stadium.

Park, the first South Korean export to the English Premier League EPL), scored his first against Arsenal at home in April 2006 and added another in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinals on the road last year.

"As I have not scored goals frequently, (scoring three against Arsenal and two at Emirates Stadium) may appear to stand out," he said.



United, seeking to top the league for the fourth straight year, took the lead in unusual fashion - an own goal.

In the 33rd minute, Nani broke into the right and hit a chip shot, which was palmed into his own net by Almunia.

It took just four minutes for Manchester to double the lead.

After picking up a pass from Rooney, Nani dribbled the ball from the half line and gave it back to the English striker who netted his 22nd goal of the season and his league-leading 20th in the premiership, five clear of runner-up Jermain Defoe of Tottenham Hotspur.

Seven minutes into the second half, Michael Carrick lobbed a pass from United's side and an onrushing Park collected it and dashed through the defense before unleashing a shot to put the match beyond reach.

The home side pulled one back when Thomas Vermaelen scored in the 80th.

ksw@koreatimes.co.kr