Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says his side’s impressive 3-0 victory over Manchester United on Sunday proves the Gunners are capable of mounting a realistic Premier League title challenge this season.

Arsenal raced out of the blocks against Louis van Gaal’s side at the Emirates and were 3-0 up after just 20 minutes, with Alexis Sanchez scoring twice and Mesut Ozil also on target.

The blistering start proved enough to secure all three points and it moved Arsenal (3.50 to win the Premier League) up to second in the table, just two points behind leaders Manchester City (1.73) heading into the international break.

Wenger says it was a great way to answer the critics, who have watched as Arsenal have often struggled against their closest rivals in big games in recent years, and proves they have what it takes to compete at the top throughout the season.

“To win in a big game is always a statement and we are in it [the title race],” he said.

“We are two points off the leaders, so I hope that result will give us belief and ambition to fight for it.

“My plan is to pray now that everybody comes back from international games without injury. We play at Watford straight away and then at home against Bayern Munich, when we need the same kind of performance.”

Following those two games, the Gunners host Everton on October 24 before a fourth-round Capital One Cup trip to Sheffield Wednesday three days later.