Arsenal are aiming to end a 10 year wait for a Premier League victory at Old Trafford this weekend, as they travel to face an unpredictable Manchester United side.
The Gunners have suffered a series of forgettable defeats over the last ten years at the Red Devils, but this season it finally looks like the tables are beginning to turn.
Arsene Wenger’s side have been made favourites for this one following their step-up in league form, whilst United are suffering a pile-up of injuries.
And it’s those setbacks that have left manager Louis Van Gaal sweating, with results needed thick and fast in order to have any chance of reclaiming Champions League football next year.
That in itself will mean this won’t be an easy one for the Gunners despite the form records, and they will want the points just as much to keep the pressure on league leaders Leicester City.
Match Details
When: Sunday 28th February 2016 (14:05GMT)
Where: Old Trafford (Watch on Sky Sports 1)
Last Time Out: Arsenal 3 – 0 Manchester United
Team News
Arsenal
Following the Barcelona game in midweek, Arsene Wenger revealed a mixed set of injury updates, with a key player set to miss a few weeks.
The Gunners have lost Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from their options, with the midfielder suffering a possible seven weeks on the sidelines through a knee injury.
In a more positive update, Gabriel Paulista is expected to be back in contention, he will have a late fitness scan to determine whether or not he will start.
Completing the injured stars is Tomas Rosicky, Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere, who is expected to be the first back from the trio.
Manchester UnitedÂ
It’s hard to find a place to start with this United side who are facing countless injuries at the moment, with the most recent being Anthony Martial who felt his hamstring on Thursday night.
Louis Van Gaal will be sweating on the fitness of his star duo of Martial and David de Gea who are both highly doubtful to make the fixture in time.
Some of the standout names missing from this one include Wayne Rooney, who loves scoring against Arsene Wenger’s side, whilst Bastian Schweinsteiger and Phil Jones are also missing.
There is a chance for Marouane Fellaini and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson to return, but the better long-term option could be to stick with the same side that won 5-1 on Thursday night.
One To Watch
Arsenal – Petr Cech
One of the biggest differences of Arsenal visiting Old Trafford this season is the 33-year-old, and his form has already proven to be vital in the opening two-thirds of our season.
He’s often overlooked, but following a very attacking setup from United in mid-week, you can expect Cech to be busy on Sunday afternoon.
He must keep his focus because Arsenal should be on top for the majority of this game and United can break with pace, with their wingers not afraid to cut in and shoot.
Manchester United – Memphis Depay
After his MOTM display in the Europa League, all eyes are on the winger to continue his form and cause trouble for Arsenal’s back line.
He was brimming with confidence and isn’t scared to attack players, let alone shoot from distance. His tricks and flicks coupled with pace will mean Hector Bellerin has a busy afternoon, and if Martial is still out, LVG could be forced to use Depay as a fake number nine.
Wherever he’s positioned, it will purely depend on whatever mood he turns up in, because when things don’t go his way we can often see the midfielder drop in ability.
Predicted Line-Ups
ArsenalÂ
Goalkeeper: As mentioned above, Petr Cech will want to continue his impressive clean sheet record having always seen this tie as a massive game whilst playing under Chelsea.
Defence: Wenger will be unlikely to risk the fitness of Gabriel and instead stick with a defence that did so well for the opening 70 minutes of that 2-0 defeat to Barcelona. Hector Bellerin has made the position his own now and reportedly is attracting interest from Real Madrid.
Defensive Midfield: There will soon come a chance for some changes in this duo, but the partnership of Coquelin and Ramsey is paramount to holding off the threat of a young, agile United attack.
Midfield: With Chamberlain’s injury changing Wenger’s selection process, there are candidates all willing to join Alexis and Mesut Ozil. Danny Welbeck looks the best of those to fill the empty wing position, and can easily rotate with Alexis to cause trouble for his former side.
Attack: With Welbeck back and firing, pressure is beginning to mount on Olivier Giroud to get back amongst the goals. His effectiveness in the air will be vital to a young United defence, however.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Cech, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Ramsey, Welbeck, Ozil, Alexis, Giroud
Manchester United
Goalkeeper: With David de Gea still a doubt, it could be a chance for Sergio Romero to continue his impressive performances, and maintain a challenge to keep the first-choice man out of the picture.
Defence: An injury crisis means both youth and inexperience will fill the gaps across the back four, with Daley Blind expected to lead the defensive duties. The remaining three positions will be filled by three players that hold an average age of just 22.
Defensive Midfield: Things begin to get better for the Red Devils, with the experienced Michael Carrick being the only player in this starting 11 that might remember that infamous 8-2 victory over the Gunners all those years ago. Morgan Schneiderlin will line up in front of the defence, but has a point to prove after being dropped before United suffered their injury crisis.
Midfield: A front three that we’ve grown familiar with over recent weeks, with Juan Mata aiming to put one past his former teammate on Sunday. Youngster Jesse Lingard will join Memphis Depay on the wings, but there will be very limited options on the bench for United.
Forward: Following his brace against FC Midtjylland, young academy graduate Marcus Rashford will now come up against arguably the best defender in the league in Laurent Koscielny. LVG has no other option if Anthony Martial is still sidelined.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Romero, Varela, Blind, McNair, Riley, Schneiderlin, Carrick, Lingard, Mata, Depay, Rashford
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