The age-old rivalry of Arsenal and Manchester United is to embark on a new chapter this weekend. Gone are the days of Wenger v Ferguson, a battle that heightened the rivalry between their respective teams, and gone are the days where both sides appeared to reign supreme at the top of the table. Louis van Gaal presents Wenger with a new challenge as a new chapter in the long winded history of Arsenal and Manchester United is to begin. It's a rivalry that provides football fans with great fascination, and this weekend will be the 100th time Arsenal have hosted their Manchester rivals.
A match between Arsenal and United has always been bitter, its thrown up its fair share of controversies and great goals, but Saturday probably presents Arsenal with their best chance to beat Man United since an Aaron Ramsey goal gave them victory at the Emirates in 2011. Neither side has set the Premier League alight this season; Arsenal sit in sixth with their weekend opponents directly below them in seventh. If the visitors do come away from the game with a win then it'll mean Arsenal will fall below them in the table.
Arsenal haven't enjoyed meetings with United in recent times and even last year it seemed that no matter what sort of form United are in, they will always turn up against Arsenal. A uninspired Man United side managed to defeat Arsenal 1-0 at Old Trafford last season whilst the reverse fixture was a 0-0 draw. The goal at Old Trafford came courtesy of Robin van Persie who has come back to haunt on his former employers on more than one occasion. 2012/13 saw him pounce on a Vermaelen error to score in a 2-1 win at Old Trafford before also scoring back at the Emirates from the spot in a 1-1 draw.
The Gunners will therefore be hoping that Danny Welbeck will be able to do the same to his old club as he steps out to face his former club for the first time since moving from Manchester United to Arsenal in the summer. That's assuming he starts. Olivier Giroud is back a month ahead of schedule and should be back in the squad, whether or not he'll start though is another matter. Both sides have been plagued by injury problems this season, especially at the back.
Debuchy and Koscielny remain injured for Arsenal whilst Rojo, Evans, Jones and Rafael are definitely out in terms of Man United. Luke Shaw is also a doubt after picking up an injury on international duty. The positive news for United though is that De Gea and Carrick should both be fit to play. Mikel Arteta and Giroud as mentioned are back for the Gunners as Theo Walcott may make his first start since January.
The defensive injures and troubles both sides have had in 2014/15 therefore suggest that there could be goals, and lots of them. Alexis Sanchez was in scintillating form before the international break and he looks to be the ideal man to break down what will be a youthful and inexperienced United back line. The visitors array of talent going forward could prove troublesome for Nacho Monreal though, assuming he continues at centre back.
A defeat for either side will see each boss and team under considerable pressure, but a win will guarantee short term elation, and would be a huge confidence booster for either team if they were to pick up the three points.