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Manchester United take the points at the Emirates and they ascend into the top four with their first away win under Louis Van Gaal.
A 2-1 victory which was unbelievable entertaining. Goals to Rooney and a Gibbs own goal as well as a cracker from Giroud at the other end.
Arsenal were dominant in the first half and failed to make their chances count, they have no one to blame but themselves. They finally cracked man of the match De Gea through Giroud late on but it was all far too late for the Gunners after they conceded to counterattacks from the Red Devils.
Arsenal now find themselves 15 points off the pace set by League Leaders Chelsea. Arsene Wenger with it all to do.
FINAL SCORE:
Manchester United 2
Arsenal 1
Arsenal welcome Van Gaal’s Manchester United for what is typically one of the highlight fixtures of the season. Will it live up to this billing with both sides horrendously lacking form and hampered by injuries? Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4:30am (AEDT).
Historically, when Manchester United and Arsenal face off world football stops and takes note. However, an inspection of this season’s Premier League ladder would suggest that this fixture should pale into insignificance, this week the Emirates will host 6th versus 7th.
Albeit, with this in mind this fixture is still hugely important in terms of this season’s eventual league placings. Whilst both sides seem to be floundering, a match as big as this could mark a huge change in fortunes for either; both are desperately in need of form and more simply, three points.
In seasons past this match has seen all eyes on Robin Van Persie following the Dutchman’s controversial swap of North London for Manchester just two seasons ago.
However, Danny Welbeck’s transfer has put him in the same position that RVP has been confronted by, facing his former employers and looking to prove something to both sets of fans. Welbeck was not exactly a fan favourite at Old Trafford with many quizzical of his inclusion in the England setup on the back of some questionable club form.
Nevertheless, since his move to Arsenal his goalscoring form has been resurrected and he looks a new player, could it be the former Red Devil himself who steals the three points from under their noses?
Or will Van Persie procure the opposite result? The striker has scored in five of the last six fixtures between the two, only three of which were in a Manchester United shirt.
Gazing back into the past, United have a very clear ascendency in this fixture, having lost just one match to the Gunners in their past 14 meetings in all competitions (W10 D3 L1).
Of course, in fixtures like this the form book goes out the window and it’s a very different United team who face up in this match. Manager Louis Van Gaal will be hoping to keep this very impressive record afloat whilst his opposite number Arsene Wenger will be looking to get his team’s season back on track.
Injuries have played a huge role in the fortunes of both sides this season with long term issues keeping some top players off the park.
Manchester United are currently without Lingard, Young, Rojo and Blind. In addition to this there are doubts over the fitness of Shaw, Di Maria, De Gea, Carrick, Rafael, Jones, Falcao and Jonny Evans.
The Gunners have also had their fair share of injury trouble this season, and are still without Koscielny, Ozil, Ospina and Debuchy through long term injuries.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-2 Manchester United
Both sides have quality going forward, I expect goals at both ends, however it should be a closely fought arm wrestle.
Will Danny Welbeck come back to haunt his old teammates?
Join The Roar at 4:30am (AEDT) for live score updates and debate in our live blog.
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