Perhaps the biggest match of the Premier League season is coming up at the Emirates Stadium in London where Arsenaltake on Manchester United with the latter looking to extend their lead at the top of the table to six points. Arsenal, however aren't going to roll over that easily*, and unless United can get three points out of this one they run a very real race of letting defending champions Chelsea back into the race.
*Well, maybe.
Arsene Wenger is going with a first choice starting XI in a 4-3-3 - or he would be, if captain Cesc Fabregas hadn't managed to injury himself in training on Friday. Aaron Ramseyreplaces the World Cup winner in the Gunners' midfield. Even without their captain, Arsenal still boast an exceptionally strong club, and United aren't going to be taking them lightly.
Meanwhile, Sir Alex Ferguson goes with the 4-4-1-1 that's served him so well lately, withMichael Carrick and Wayne Rooney central to his strategy. A resurgent Carrick will serve as the team's playmaker, and Rooney's habit of dropping deep to reinforce the midfield will occupy Alex Song. It's difficult to say just how this match will go, but there's no doubt it'll be a good one.
Arsenal (4-3-3): Wojciech Szczesny; Bacary Sagna, Laurent Koscielny, Johan Djourou, Gael Clichy; Alex Song, Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere; Theo Walcott, Samir Nasri, Robin van Persie.
Substitutes: Jens Lehmann, Sebastien Squillaci, Andrei Arshavin, Emmanuel Eboue,Kieran Gibbs, Marouane Chamakh, Nicklas Bendtner.
Manchester United (4-4-1-1): Edwin van der Sar; Fabio da Silva, Rio Ferdinand,Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra; Park Ji-Sung, Michael Carrick, Anderson, Nani; Wayne Rooney; Javier Hernandez.
Substitutes: Tomasz Kuszczak, Michael Owen, Dimitar Berbatov, Chris Smalling, Rafael Da Silva, John O'Shea, Antonio Valencia.
*Well, maybe.
Arsene Wenger is going with a first choice starting XI in a 4-3-3 - or he would be, if captain Cesc Fabregas hadn't managed to injury himself in training on Friday. Aaron Ramseyreplaces the World Cup winner in the Gunners' midfield. Even without their captain, Arsenal still boast an exceptionally strong club, and United aren't going to be taking them lightly.
Meanwhile, Sir Alex Ferguson goes with the 4-4-1-1 that's served him so well lately, withMichael Carrick and Wayne Rooney central to his strategy. A resurgent Carrick will serve as the team's playmaker, and Rooney's habit of dropping deep to reinforce the midfield will occupy Alex Song. It's difficult to say just how this match will go, but there's no doubt it'll be a good one.
Arsenal (4-3-3): Wojciech Szczesny; Bacary Sagna, Laurent Koscielny, Johan Djourou, Gael Clichy; Alex Song, Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere; Theo Walcott, Samir Nasri, Robin van Persie.
Manchester United (4-4-1-1): Edwin van der Sar; Fabio da Silva, Rio Ferdinand,Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra; Park Ji-Sung, Michael Carrick, Anderson, Nani; Wayne Rooney; Javier Hernandez.
Substitutes: Tomasz Kuszczak, Michael Owen, Dimitar Berbatov, Chris Smalling, Rafael Da Silva, John O'Shea, Antonio Valencia.
