Having negotiated November - so often a month of misery - we start December with a one of the Premier League’s most iconic fixtures: Arsenal v Manchester United.
We may trail Jose Mourinho’s side by four points, but will head into Saturday’s showdown with a quiet optimism that we can make it three wins on the bounce against the Red Devils at Emirates Stadium.
Confidence is certainly high. Successive Premier League wins against Tottenham, Burnley and Huddersfield have seen us score eight times without reply. And with the likes of Mesut Ozil, Alexis and Aaron Ramsey - all previous goalscorers against United - hitting the heights too, we certainly have the weapons in our armoury to hurt Jose Mourinho’s side.
Yet the visitors have recently welcomed back Paul Pogba, are spearheaded by Romelu Lukaku and the dangerous Marcus Rashford and boast one of the best goalkeepers in the world in David de Gea. It promises to be another blockbuster encounter in north London.
Read on for a comprehensive pre-match briefing: we’ve got classic goals against Man United, team news, an exclusive chat with Arsene Wenger, match facts, graphics and a chance to have your say.
KEEPING COOL IN THE HEAT OF BATTLE
Wenger on Xhaka’s improved discipline this season…
“That shows you can improve in our game. The big games are 100 per cent commitment, but keep always control of your nerves, focus on your job and be disciplined because most of the time it is linked with the result. When your team loses their nerve, most of the time they lose the game.”
TEAM NEWS:
ARSENAL: Cazorla (ankle), Lacazette (groin)
MAN UNITED: Matic (muscle), Fellaini (knee), Bailly (groin), Jones (thigh), Carrick (heart)
THE OPPOSITION
Tactical expert Michael Cox:
“United are perfectly comfortable taking the game to the opposition at home, or away against weaker sides, but Mourinho’s big-game approach is still largely based around deep defending and counter-attacking – a familiar sight at the Emirates.
"United have often looked at their most impressive when already ahead going into the final 20 minutes of matches. When opponents push men forward, the speed of Martial, Lukaku and Rashford has proved devastating on the break.”
THE LAST WORD
Wenger on how he can prepare his side for a fast start…
“Despite all the preparation and experience I have, you are never 100 per cent sure, but you know the details. Naturally the concentration comes easily, the focus comes easily in the big games, so you make sure that the concentration is linked with confidence and the players are not inhibited.”
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