Even though neither Arsenal nor Manchester United are fighting for the title, games between these two sides still mean quite a bit to the fans.
Holding something of a hex over Arsenal in recent years, the Gunners will be looking to finally get three points at the Emirates Stadium, or, at the very least, score a bloody goal.
So. Who will they likely use to try and achieve that?
In goal Wojciech Szczesny will retain his place with no real competition for his slot with David Ospina still injured. In front of him in the back four are where things start to get interesting. Of course, by interesting I mean terrifying given that this lot will have to deal with Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie.
Kieran Gibbs at left-back is just about the only one who does not give me palpitations at the minute. While Per Mertesacker will also start in his normal position, without Laurent Koscielny, still three weeks away from a return at best, he is not quite the same BFG we’ve all come to know and adore. Beside him Arsene Wenger is likely to opt for Nacho Monreal, despite all evidence to date that shows this is not a great idea at all. Calum Chambers will slot in at right-back and will be hoping to have a better game than he’s managed recently.
In midfield it’s unlikely that Arsene will opt to play Jack Wilshere as a DM in the same way England have been employing him and while Mikel Arteta is back and available after his injury, it’s likely that Mathieu Flamini will slot in in front of the defence. Like many in the squad, he will surely be looking at improving on his recent form which has been so bad that it would be understandable if Wenger risked a returning Arteta even if he’s not 100 per cent.
Aaron Ramsey, another player who recently admitted he hasn’t been 100 per cent fit, will most likely play in the centre alongside Wilshere meaning that Santi Cazorla will probably miss out unless Wenger decides to play him wide.
Up top we are starting to finally have some options. Alexis Sanchez starting is a no-brainer but who joins him in the front three? Olivier Giroud is available but after being out so long with a serious injury the bench is about all he can expect. Danny Welbeck picked up a hamstring niggle but deserves to start against his old club if he’s fit. Theo Walcott is also available but has not started a game since his return, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will also be pushing to be included from the beginning.
While Arsenal might be shorn of defensive options, they are starting to get to a position in which they might just have enough offensive firepower to compensate for the gaping chasms at the back. Given that United are in a very similar position, this game is perfectly set up to be the highest score draw in footballing history.
Or 0-0.
Who knows.
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