Arsenal v Man Utd preview

Just under one week ago, this match was being viewed as crucial in the title race, however Manchester United’s visit to Arsenal on Sunday is now more a game for the hosts to just stop their opponents from winning another title.

Arsenal’s defeat to Bolton last week did not mathematically rule the Premier League out for the Gunners, but there is no addition needed to declare that their title challenge is all-but over.

Arsene Wenger’s side blew golden opportunities to throw down the gauntlet to United by beating Liverpool, Tottenham and Bolton in the same week, but having wasted their chances, collected just two points.

It now almost certainly leaves Arsene Wenger trophyless for a sixth successive season, but with the vultures beginning to pick the bones out of the Frenchman’s failure, he will wanr to silence his critics and prove a point.

It will hurt Wenger to his very core that he could not make it to this game in with a shout of winning the Premier League, or at least ensuring that he would take United to the final furlong.

Old foes

But he will be determined to get one over his old foe Sir Alex Ferguson, whose side are getting closer to the title with each game, as well as on the brink of another UEFA Champions League final appearance.

Their 2-0 win over Schalke in midweek in Gelsenkirchen could have easily been by more and demonstrated the kind of mood Ferguson’s side are in as the finishing line approaches.

A six-point lead over Chelsea means just a few more points are needed to bring home a record 19th title, but Arsenal need to win to avoid Manchester City possibly catching them up to steal third place.

United’s record stands them in good stead, having won six of their last seven against the Gunners, boasting an excellent record at the Emirates, having not lost there since 2007.

Team news

Arsenal will be boosted by the return of key centre-back Thomas Vermaelen, who has been on the sidelines almost all season, but he will not be ready to face United following his Achilles injury.

The Belgian has been sorely missed in what has been a fragile defence this term, but his return for the reserves on Thursday means he is not far off a return to the first-team.

Tomas Rosicky could be available again after recovering from an illness, but Abou Diaby is certain to miss out with a calf injury.

Dimitar Berbatov will return to the United squad having missed the last three matches with a groin injury sustained in the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City earlier this month.

Darren Fletcher could be back in some capacity for United as he played in the same game as Vermaelen when the reserve teams clashed, but he is still considered a major doubt.

Paul Scholes serves the last of his three-match ban following his dismissal in the FA Cup semi final defeat to Manchester City, whilst Owen Hargreaves remains United’s major long-term injury absentee.

Possible Starting XIs

Arsenal: Sczeszny, Sagna, Koscielny, Djourou, Clichy, Song, Fabregas, Nasri, Walcott, Arshavin, Van Persie.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, O’Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Nani, Giggs, Carrick, Valencia, Rooney, Hernandez.