After the 7-5 comes memories of the 8-2 for
Arsenal. Arsène Wenger's men
travel to Old Trafford buoyed by their incredible midweek recovery
against Reading and looking to avenge the mauling they suffered
away to Manchester United last season. This is
undoubtedly a stronger Arsenal side but there has been one
significant weakness to their ranks since that defeat – the loss of
Robin van Persie, who has continued to sparkle since joining United
in August and on Saturday lunchtime has the chance to harm former
team-mates.
Venue Old Trafford, Saturday
8.45pm
Tickets Sold out
Last season Man Utd 8 Arsenal 2
Referee Mike Dean
This season's matches 6 Y15,
R0, 2.50 cards per game
Odds Man Utd 4-6 Arsenal 4-1 Draw 3-1
Subs from Lindegaard, Johnstone, Buttner,
Hernández, Welbeck, Scholes, Nani, Anderson, Giggs, Powell,
Macheda, Bebé, Fletcher, Henríquez
Doubtful None Injured Smalling
(metatarsal, 10 Nov), Jones (knee, 17 Nov), Kagawa (knee, Dec)
Suspended None Form guide
WWWLWW
Disciplinary record Y13 R0
Leading scorer Van Persie 7
Subs from Martínez, Jenkinson, Yennaris,
Djourou, Koscielny, Squillaci, Frimpong, Walcott, Coquelin, Gnarby,
Arshavin, Chamakh
Doubtful None
Injured Ox-Chamberlain (hip, 10 Nov), Szczesny
(ankle, 10 Nov), Gibbs (thigh, 10 Nov), Rosicky (tendon, 17 Nov),
Diaby (thigh, 17 Nov), Gervinho (ankle, 24 Nov), Fabianski (ankle,
Feb)
Suspended None
Form guide WLWLDW
Disciplinary record Y7 R0
Leading scorer Gervinho 3
• Last season's 8-2 defeat for Arsenal was the only time
they have scored more than once away to United in the
Premier League
• There have been nine penalties in Premier League games
between these sides (seven for United and two for Arsenal) – all of
them have come at Old Trafford and five have been
missed
• Wayne Rooney has scored 10 goals against Arsenal in
the Premier League, a haul that only Robbie Fowler can
match
• If selected, Johan Djourou will be making his 100th
top-flight appearance, just over eight years since his debut in
2004
• United have scored in their past 53 Premier League
home games – an all-time record for the competition
