Gallas has not won a trophy since joining from Chelsea two years ago - and hopes of silverware were receding after the last-gasp draw with rivals Tottenham and defeat at Stoke.

After 96 minutes of an absorbing battle with the champions - United boss Sir Alex Ferguson described the constant attacking as "fantasy football" - the difference could be felt around the Emirates Stadium.

Gallas was last off the pitch as he celebrated with Arsenal fans.

"I want to win the Premier League with Arsenal, and it was very important for us to win this game," said the Frenchman.

"It was important because after a few games the atmosphere was not good in the dressing room, after we drew and lost.

"The pressure was on our shoulders, and we wanted to show everyone our ambition. We are very proud of ourselves."

Arsene Wenger's side had also drawn a blank against Fenerbahce in midweek, with the importance of the United game stressed in team meetings before the 2-1 victory.

"We showed we have good character," Gallas believes.

"It was not easy for us before the game. We spoke a lot - the night before the game we spoke together - and in the end it was a good day."

Cesc Fabregas added: "We were talking about it the other day - it was vital to get back on track."

As Wenger conceded, United could easily have been winners in a gripping clash for the football purists that was decided by Samir Nasri scoring twice before Rafael da Silva pulled one back.

Wayne Rooney missed the best early chance; then Nasri grabbed the opener when his drive deflected off Gary Neville.

His second came after a move where almost every Arsenal player touched the ball in the build-up, culminating in the 21-year-old lashing past Edwin van der Sar.

"When he is in front of goal, you know that he can finish with his right foot or left foot," Wenger said of his summer signing from Marseille.

"He has a lot of pace and power, and I encourage him to go in the final third because he was more of a typical playmaker in France.

"I believe with his pace to penetrate in the final third he will score plenty of goals - and that is what he did. He is a tremendous finisher."

Cristiano Ronaldo shaved the post just after Nasri's second, so it was not until Rafael volleyed home and six minutes of injury time was signalled that nerves started to creep in for the Gunners - and thoughts went back to Spurs' late comeback.

"I felt that it was a very long time," Wenger admitted.

Gallas held the defence together during stoppage time, and then urged his team-mates forward to try to score a third when they had possession.

"We are 'player-ish', and that takes over the cautious side," said Wenger.

"When you are 19 or 20 you always want to play, and that is normal."

Gallas, who had recovered from a hamstring injury to play, added: "Everyone was worried after we conceded the goal. Against Tottenham we conceded another goal; against Manchester United we didn't - so we learned.

"That is good for the next game and the future, because you have to learn from your mistakes.

"I'm pleased, because I didn't train for one week. The game was very important for me.

"When you play against (Dimitar) Berbatov, Rooney and (Carlos) Tevez you have to be focused for 90, 92, 96 minutes."

Gallas had his captaincy credentials questioned when Arsenal's title challenge collapsed last season, but pundits have highlighted his leadership qualities against United.

Wenger, however, feels the era of a traditional captain is over.

"I don't agree any more when people say you need a leader on the football pitch," he said.

"Football has evolved and is so quick nowadays that you need shared leadership on the pitch - you need about five or six.

"The time when a centre-back can talk is over - it's too quick. We had 11 leaders on our side, because everyone took initiative at the right moment."

It will still be Gallas lifting the trophy if Arsenal maintain their title challenge.