Arsenal v Manchester United: Premier League match preview

A look ahead to this week’s Premier League fixture at the Emirates

Marc Williams
Wednesday 12 February 2014 18:00 GMT
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Arsene Wenger and David Moyes had little to cheer at the weekend but one could be a lot happier after Wednesday's match
Arsene Wenger and David Moyes had little to cheer at the weekend but one could be a lot happier after Wednesday's match (GETTY IMAGES)

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It’s one of the biggest games in any Premier League season, a fixture that has often gone a long way to deciding who will lift the trophy and always sure to be fascinating.

Whenever Arsenal play Manchester United the whole league sits up and takes notice and although this season’s isn’t the top of the table clash it has been in years gone by, it is still full of intrigue and excitement.

Both sides faltered in their respective goals for the season last time out with United squandering victory in the last second against Fulham and the Gunners being humiliated 5-1 at Anfield.

Wednesday night’s game will see a United side come to Arsenal’s home without Sir Alex Ferguson for the first time Premier League history and both sides will be seeking to get back to winning ways.

Chelsea knocked Arsenal off the league's top spot at the weekend whereas United are now nine points adrift of the top four.

In previous seasons this fixtures as thrown up some cagey, tight affairs, Manchester United’s 8-2 masterclass aside, and with so much on the line this time around, one goal either way may well decide it.

KICK-OFF: Wednesday, 7.45pm

PAST MEETINGS…

Manchester United 1 (Van Persie) Arsenal 0, Premier League, November 2013

Arsenal 1 (Walcott) Manchester United 1 (Van Persie), Premier League, April 2013

Manchester United 2 (Van Persie, Evra) Arsenal 1 (Cazorla), Premier League, November 2012

Arsenal 1 (Van Persie) Manchester United 2 (Valencia, Welbeck), Premier League, January 2012

Manchester United 8 (Welbeck, Young (2), Rooney (3), Nani, Park) Arsenal 2 (Walcott, Van Persie), Premier League, August 2011

Arsenal 1 (Ramsey) Manchester United 0, Premier League, May 2011

Manchester United 2 (Fabio, Rooney) Arsenal 0, FA Cup, Quarter Final, March 2011

Manchester United 1 (Park) Arsenal 0, Premier League, December 2010

STATS…

Arsenal have conceded the fewest goals at home this season (6) and only lost once

Arsenal’s defeat to Liverpool was their first in 9 league games

Manchester United put in 81 crosses against Fulham, most since 2006

Robin Van Persie has scored in the last 5 meetings between the two sides (3 times for Man U and twice for Arsenal)

Van Persie (Man United) and Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) have both scored 10 league goals this season

Going into the game Arsenal are 14 points better off than United

ODDS…

Arsenal to win: 2.15

Manchester United to win: 3.6

Draw: 3.2

TV: Live on BT Sport 1 at 7.45pm, Highlights Sky Sports 1 from 10.00pm, more highlights on BBC 1 on at 10.35pm.

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