Arsenal have their first encounter with another member of the so-called 'big four' on Saturday when they entertain Sir Alex Ferguson's Red Devils at Emirates Stadium. This season Arsenal.com will be identifying the key battles for the game. We will bring you all the statistics and information a fan could need so swot up now and come Saturday you will be impressing anyone who will listen with your new-found knowledge.
Gael Clichy v Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is well and truly back. After a summer of transfer whispers and ankle problems, the Portuguese maestro has returned to the United scene with a bang scoring six goals in his seven appearances. Gael Clichy finally notched his first Arsenal goal in their game against Stoke but it is his defensive, rather than his goalscoring capabilities, that will be put to the test on Saturday.
| Gael Clichy | Cristiano Ronaldo | |
| Appearances | 11 | 7 |
| Minutes played | 946 | 565 |
| Assists | 0 | 2 |
| Clearances | 14 | 1 |
| Successful dribbles | 7 | 12 |
| Unsuccessful dribbles | 7 | 9 |
| Goals | 1 | 6 |
| Passes completed | 50 | 32 |
| Passes not completed | 26 | 22 |
| Shots on target | 3 | 34 |
| Tackles lost | 8 | 3 |
|
Tackles won |
5 | 2 |
Cesc Fabregas v Michael Carrick
Two of the most technically gifted central midfielders in the Premier League go toe-to-toe on Saturday charged with supplying their respective strikers with match-winning goals. Cesc Fabregas has played a lot more football than Carrick this season but the ex-Tottenham man has looked efficient in his role so far. His only shot this season found the back of the net and he has won four out of four tackles. Fabregas too has one goal to his name and the Spaniard has registered two assists in his nine appearances.
| Cesc Fabregas | Michael Carrick | |
| Appearances | 9 | 4 |
| Minutes played | 810 | 164 |
| Assists | 2 | 0 |
| Fouls committed | 11 | 1 |
| Goals | 1 | 1 |
| Passes completed | 54 | 13 |
| Passes not completed | 37 | 9 |
| Passes made | 92 | 22 |
| Shots off target | 10 | 0 |
| Shots on target | 15 | 1 |
| Tackles lost | 2 | 0 |
| Tackles won | 5 | 4 |
Kolo Toure v Wayne Rooney
There could be fireworks in the centre of the Arsenal defence on Saturday when Kolo Toure and Wayne Rooney lock horns. The Liverpudlian hotshot has committed 12 fouls, picking up four bookings, in his 10 appearances while Toure has been successful in six out of his seven tackles. Rooney has been in solid goalscoring form so far this term but his Ivorian opponent is edging ever closer to a goal of his own, trying his luck 11 times in nine appearances.
| Kolo Toure | Wayne Rooney | |
| Appearances | 9 | 10 |
| Minutes played | 681 | 727 |
| Assists | 0 | 4 |
| Fouls committed |
2 | 12 |
| Goals scored | 0 | 3 |
| Offsides | 1 | 10 |
| Shots blocked | 1 | 9 |
| Shots off target | 7 | 13 |
| Shots on target | 4 | 22 |
| Tackles lost | 1 | 4 |
| Tackles won | 6 | 5 |
| Tackles made | 7 | 9 |
