Match Preview: Arsenal vs Manchester United

All eyes will be on RvP

The former captain and hero of Arsenal, Robin Van Persie, will be the cynosure of all eyes as he makes his long-awaited return to the Emirates stadium just days after his hat-trick sealed a record-breaking 20th league title for Manchester United. The league’s top scorer can expect a frosty reception at his former stomping ground, and will once again be eager to show the Gunners what they have been missing.

Arsenal’s season is still hanging in the balance, as their 3rd spot in the table is rather shaky and a victory against rivals United would give them the confidence to finish the season on a high and once again play Champions League football. The Gunners will also be performing a guard of honour for United, something that many Arsenal fans aren’t happy about.

Team News – Arsenal

Key midfield engine Mikel Arteta could miss this crucial fixture after suffering a knee injury against Fulham last week, while Olivier Giroud starts his three-match ban for his direct red card at Fulham. Jack Wilshere could start this week and slot in alongside Aaron Ramsey in midfield.

Lukasz Fabianski and Abou Diaby are the long-term absentees.

Team News – Manchester United

While Sir Alex has promised to name a strong line-up, he would be tempted to give some substitutes a go at Arsenal. Captain Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand are expected to start at centre back, after Jonny Evans and Michael Carrick picked up knocks on Monday night, which will see Phil Jones play in Carrick’s position. Paul Scholes is also likely to miss out.

The likes of Welbeck, Nani, Cleverly and Hernandez will be involved, and some of them will definitely start at the Emirates.

Preview:

Jack Wilshere will be hoping to inspire his team to victory

This fixture used to be the biggest and most intense contest in the Premier League during Arsenal’s glory days under Arsene Wenger. The fixtures were heated, the managers hated each other to the point of Wenger challenging Ferguson to a fight, and police intervention was required to defuse tensions in the past. Ever since the departures of the likes of Thierry Henry and Patrick Viera, Arsenal slowly stopped becoming a direct competitor to United.

The managers seem to get along these days and even like each other, and the 8-2 in 2011 was the final nail in the coffin for this once-great rivalry. United have won 10 major trophies since Arsenal’s 2005 FA Cup victory.

Sunday’s fixture will be all about Robin van Persie and, despite Wenger’s plea, he is likely to be jeered heavily. However, Arsenal must realize that if they seek to reignite the fire of this fixture, victory on Sunday will be paramount to the task. With Giroud suspended, Walcott is likely to lead the line and his pace can be used to exploit the United defence, which will not be an easy task.

As no team that United names is a ‘weak’ team, the midfield battle will be crucial and if he does not play, Michael Carrick’s influence might be heavily missed. Wilshere will be hoping to inspire the Gunners to a rare victory over Man United, and Sunday could be the perfect setting after a rather difficult season.

Victory could inspire them to greater heights, while defeat could see them barrel down the depths of English football.

Interesting Facts:

- United have beaten Arsenal in nine of their last eleven meetings, having lost only once.

- United have had a record 19 different goalscorers this season and have scored 78 goals, eleven higher than the second most prolific team, Liverpool (67).

- Arsenal have kept only four clean sheets in sixteen league games at the Emirates this season.

- Arsenal have won nine of their last twelve Premier League games, losing just once.

- This will be 49th meeting in all competitions between Wenger and Ferguson, with Ferguson leading 22-15.

- Arsenal have taken only four points from seven games against Top 5 sides, with all the rest having at least ten points.

Prediction:

Simply put, Arsenal are desperate for a victory and cannot rely on Chelsea and Spurs’ results to swing their ways. United hold the psychological edge over them with their one-sided recent history, but the Gunners, led by Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere, might just put the mighty Red Devils to the sword, even though it will be a very difficult task.

Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United