Arsenal vs Man United preview

This game was meant to be the match which could've seen Arsenal overtake Man United in the league and hopefully win the title. Instead it's a must win for very different reasons. 3 points could see us go level on points with Chelsea providing the lose to Spurs but a draw or worse means Man City could get even closer to us and fourth place would be a terrible end to the season.

Form

Man United have won the last 6 games against Arsenal. However only two of them were at the Emirates and they both finished 1-3. The other three games between these clubs at the Emirates ended 2-1, 2-1 and 2-2 so the overall record is W2 D1 L2.

Arsenal at home this year haven't been the best, losing to Newcastle and West Brom to name the worst performances but United don't have an impressive away record either. In fact the Devils have won just 5 games on their travels. 

Wenger has won 15, Ferguson 20 with just nine draws in the managers 44 games against each other. 

Team News

Arsenal - Despite Vermaelen making his return for the reserves, he won't feature as it would be too big a risk considering the length of his absence. The only other players ruled out are Fabianski (shoulder) and Diaby who hasn't shrugged off a calf injury in time for Sunday.

Man United - Fletcher was another player to play in the reserve match between these clubs and he may play some part of the game. As for Berbatov he is fit to play after missing the last three games. Scholes is suspended.

Likely line-ups

Arsenal

                 Szczesny

Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Clichy

      Song, Fabregas, Wilshere

     Walcott, Van Persie, Nasri

Wenger will probably name the same squad that lost to Bolton unless he decides to play Bendtner/Chamakh to help aerially as Robin is likely to leave the United box often and when he is in there, Vidic and Rio will head away most crosses.

Man United

                 Van Der Sar

    Rafael, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra

        Anderson, Carrick, Park

Nani, Hernandez/Berbatov, Rooney

United's starting 11 is harder to predict as Sir Alex has rotated in previous weeks. In defence it will either be Rafael or Fabio but the big question is who to play in attack. Berbatov has recently been injured but still has 21 league goals tos his name. Hernandez, on the other hand, is in top form and has been playing well with Rooney.

The last time Arsenal won 2-1 vs United

My Prediction

Draws aren't very common in games between Arsenal and Man United so I'm going for a 2-1 win to the Gunners. Arsenal will need to shoot from outside the box tomorrow as Vidic and Ferdinand will beat Van Persie to most crosses. Elsewhere if Hernandez starts then Djourou and Koscielny will have to be on top form. Nasri and Walcott will have to track back a lot as Rafael and Evra are very attacking but hopefully Arsenal will be victorious once the final whistle blows.

Chelsea are 3 points ahead of Arsenal with Tottenham and Man United as their next two games so should Arsene Wenger and his side beat the Devils, second would definitely be very realistic. On the other hand, if they fail to get 3 points then Man City, who are 5 points behind with a game in hand, would be ready to pounce into the automatic Champions League spot.

Pictures from Arsenal.com.