Arsenal were left ruing their defeat at Leeds after this 1-0 victory over a plucky Aston Villa side ended their challenge for the title.

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Manchester United's victory over Spurs meant the Premiership trophy returned to Old Trafford despite the Gunners' collecting three points in this epic encounter.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was quick to congratulate Manchester United on pipping his side to the Premiership but insisted he was proud of his players.

Wenger said: "I congratulate Manchester United because they have had a great season.

Marc Overmars sprints past the Villa defence as Arsenal go in search of their first goal

"But I am proud of my players. They reached 78 points for the second season running, and we were the best defence in Europe.

"Unfortunately 78 points was not enough but over two seasons it has been a remarkable performance."

The Highbury crowd burst into song at the news of Les Ferdinand's goal for Tottenham at Old Trafford, but they had to endure major frustration at a string of near misses before learning of David Beckham's Manchester United equaliser just before the break.

Arsenal's only goal arrived through super-sub Nwankwo Kanu on 66 minutes after he replaced top scorer Nicolas Anelka but it proved to be a mere consolation as Manchester United's Andy Cole struck in the second half to give United the Championship.

The win moved Arsenal onto 78 points, the same total they accumulated in last season's Premiership title victory, but despite an impressive campaign Arsene Wenger's trophy cabinet of 1999 remains empty.

Optimism

Highbury was ablaze with optimism before this crunch match despite the Gunners requiring a heroic effort from their bitter North London rivals Tottenham to help them retain their Premiership crown.

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Arsenal tried to answer the baying crowd's cries for an early breakthrough with a concerted blitz but John Gregorys' defence played with fire in their hearts as they fought to secure a place in the Intertoto Cup.

Marc Overmars showed some silky skills in the sixth minute to take Nelson Vivas's pass inside Steve Watson's challenge and then tried a low shot from the edge of the box which slipped wide of Michael Oakes' right-hand post.

The Gunners' first real opportunity arrived when Dennis Bergkamp made space for himself on the edge of the area among a forest of Villa tackles but his low effort flew just wide as Arsenal had the better of the early exchanges.

Pivotal role

Bergkamp, who played a pivotal role in every Arsenal attack, then released Marc Overmars for one of his surging runs but his shot was superbly blocked by Michael Oakes.

In a rare Villa escapade into the Gunners' half, Julian Joachim squeezed the ball through to Ricardo Scimeca on the edge of the box but he fired just past the left-hand post.

Alan Wright, who was providing Villa with some much needed width down the left flank, then fired a cross-shot into the area but the ball cannoned off a defender and was cleared by Martin Keown.

Steve Watson thought he was in trouble for the second successive game when he got in the way of Overmars in full flight on the edge of the area , but he escaped with a yellow card much to the relief of his emotionally drained manager.

The chances continued to rain in from both ends and Bergkamp had his shot cleared off the line from the resulting free-kick.

Second-half

In the early moments of the second-half, Arsenal were running riot and Michael Oakes was forced to pull off a splendid full-length save - his third outstanding save of the game -as Patrick Viera fired a shot from point blank range.

Arsenal finally broke the dead-lock after Arsene Wenger's tactical masterstroke when he replaced the tired Anelka for African sensation, Kanu.

The Nigerian's impact was almost immediate as he controlled Petit's corner and then turned and shot fiercely into the net to give the Gunners' the lead.

Wenger's side had almost completed their part of the Premiership bargain, and all the Arsenal fans could do was cling to the feint hope that their transister radio would deliver some good news from Old Trafford.

Ehiogu error

They were nearly celebrating when Ugo Ehiogu's breakdown in communication with Oakes let in Overmars, but he could only head straight at the keeper.

Villa had their own openings, with Seaman saving well from Joachim even though the whistle had curiously already gone and former Highbury hero Paul Merson created a chance to equalise after some impressive build-up play.

Merson, who was relishing the chance to put one over his old club, took on a classy flick from Joachim and powered towards the box but his shot was screwed just wide of the left hand post.

Sunlight streamed into Highbury during the final 10 minutes as Kaba Diawara clipped the top of the bar, Vieira drove just wide, Kanu headed past the post and Bergkamp offered a ray of hope but put his effort just wide.

Golden goal

But the golden goal from Spurs failed to materialise, and two minutes after the final whistle at Highbury, the message that United had sealed their fifth title in seven years filtered through from Old Trafford.

Indeed, the Gunners must remain positive about their season - they have qualified for the Champions' League group stages again and contributed to a thrilling title race.

But Highbury was covered in a cloud of gloom as John Gregory's Villa side shared the Gunners' disappointment after they were denied a place in the InterToto Cup by virtue of West Ham's victory against Middlesbrough.

Teams:

Arsenal: Seaman, Dixon, Keown, Adams, Vivas, Parlour, Petit, Vieira, Overmars, Bergkamp, Anelka. Subs: Bould, Ljungberg, Lukic, Kanu, Diawara.

Aston Villa: Oakes, Ehiogu, Calderwood, Southgate, Watson, Scimeca, Draper, Grayson, Wright, Joachim, Merson. Subs: Barry, Vassell, Delaney, Stone, Enckelman.