Not Robin van Persie but Antonio Valencia will be vital vs Arsenal

Manchester United could be forgiven for approaching Sunday’s game with more than a small sense of trepidation as the Gunner’s ride the wave of euphoria from Wednesday’s win in Dortmund. It’s more than just happiness United will need to be wary of, as Arsene Wenger has gone about assembling a side that- whisper it quietly- just may be able to launch a title challenge. The Gunners boast a midfield that’s suddenly looking like one of the strongest in the land, with players such as Aaron Ramsey and a certain German lifting them to a new level.

United under Moyes are a different beast than they were under Sir Alex Ferguson, although his predecessor occasionally approached big games with a somewhat cautious approach, the new United boss seems to have taken it to a new level- even seemingly playing for a nil nil in the early season tie against Chelsea. If Moyes is to concern himself with preventing Arsenal’s attack as much as he is with attacking them, he may be better served choosing Antonio Valencia over the less defence-minded Nani.

The Ecuadorian may still have question marks as to whether or not he’s as effective going forward as he once was, but there’s no denying he’s willing to help out his team mates when it comes to defending, something you could seldom accuse his Portuguese colleague of.

Antonio Valencia Duels Won

With doubts remaining over whether Rafael will be fit to face Arsenal, Moyes could well be forced to use one of either Chris Smalling or Phil Jones in the right-back spot, a position which is neither’s most favoured position. With an Arsenal midfield capable of interchanging and the likes of Mesut Ozil or perhaps even more worrying for the Reds, Aaron Ramsey drifting out to the left, whoever United’s right-back is will need all the help he can get and that’s something Valencia is best suited to.

In a game that United desperately need to win to avoid letting the title race move even further away from them, they simply cannot allow the rejuvenated Arsenal side to hit their attacking stride. Valencia is the ideal winger Moyes can call upon to make sure it’s not an easy afternoon down United’s right hand side. The stats show that the former Wigan man is the most reliable winger defensively United have in their squad and that surely makes him a starter for Moyes on Sunday.