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Teams
Arsenal: Mikel Arteta and Olivier Giroud have been declared available to face United on Saturday. Danny Welbeck remains a doubt after a knock he picked up during England’s 3-1 win over Scoltland at Celtic Park on Tuesday night.Probable XIV : Wojciech Szczesny, Chambers, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Wilshere, Cazorla/ Arteta, Ozil, Chamberlain, Sanchez, Welbeck/ Giroud. Walcott, if played, would be a surprise.Manchester United: Di Maria and De Gea is likely to play despite picking up knocks during the international break. Smalling returns from suspension. Daley Blind scan reports haven’t been published but in all probability he’ll have to sit this one out.Probable XIV: De Gea, Rafael/ Valencia, Smalling/ Jones, Blackett/McNair, Shaw, Fellaini, Herrera/ Fletcher, Di Maria, Januzaj, Rooney/Mata, Van Persie. Falcao and Wilson could be the surprise packages.
This Saturday, at the Emirates, has all the potential to be the mouth-watering fixture of the season. The match upon which both the clubs’ seasons depend. The one which will play a huge role in terms of European qualification. This match has the potential to be the one game Arsene Wenger or Louis Van Gaal may have to regret in their respective futures with or without their current teams.If we divide the teams positionally, Arsenal has a better back four and will just about manage to sneak in a win in the midfield zones. United a clear winner in the goalkeeper the forwards department. This tie is one of the most balanced Arsenal United ties over the years. Both the teams are below the top four and fighting for a modest for the final Champions League spot.The last time when this was the scenario when these two heavyweights faced off without a champions league spot was way back in September 1998. Both are battling to qualify for the last champions league spot.Arsenal hasn’t conquered their arch rivals since Ramsey’s winner at the Emirates in May 2011. Arsenal has also conceded three Van Persie goals after letting the Dutchman leave in summer 2012. Is this the time when Welbeck silences his critics at Old Trafford once and for all?With both teams playing different version of the famous 4-4-2 formation, even tactically, the battles are extremely well matched. Be it Di Maria vs Chambers or Gibbs, or Wilshere vs Fellaini or Sanchez and Welbeck vs the United backline. All the battles are delectable and even has the neutrals licking their lips.Van Gaal might just combine the diamond and the 4-1-4-1 formations. The diamond ensured United scored more but also conceded more. As soon as the formation was changed to the latter goals on both sides have dried up. With Blind injured Van Gaal might get the second four to play in a diamond.With both defences being a shade of what they used to be, expect it to be a lip smacking goal fest. Only if the tactical geniuses don’t get too defensive. Wenger vs Van Gaal isn’t a new battle. It just hasn’t happened for over 15 years. Both managers have a lot of mutual respect for each other. Will Wenger edge this tie with his premier league experience or will Van Gaal edge it with his big-match experiences?
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