Barclays Premier League
Sunday January 22 2012
1600 Hrs
SKY SPORTS 1
TEAM NEWS
Wenger would dearly love to be going into the game with his first-choice line-up, but it will be anything but that.
Injuries have ravaged his defence and it appears Belgium international Thomas Vermaelen will be sidelined again.
With Spaniard Mikel Arteta also set to miss out with his calf problem, things are not looking good for Wenger.
Thierry Henry is also a doubt with a calf injury, leaving Arsenal with few selection issues.
Left-back is the major problem with possible options Bacary Sagna, Kieran Gibbs, Carl Jenkinson, Francis Coquelin and Andre Santos all sidelined, meaning young Spaniard Ignasi Miquel could continue to fill in.
England international Jack Wilshere remains a few weeks away from a possible return.
While Arsenal are beset with injuries, United have been boosted on that front with the news that defensive duo Phil Jones and Chris Smalling look set to return.
Both England defenders missed last week's home win over Bolton after they collided with each other in the Manchester derby win over City.
One piece of bad news for United is that Anderson has suffered a setback in training and will not be involved.
Ferguson must also decide whether to recall David De Gea in goal or stick with Anders Lindegaard.
Ashley Young, Tom Cleverley and Darren Fletcher remain absentees.
Possible starting XIs:
Arsenal: Szczesny, Mertesacker, Djourou, Koscielny, Miquel, Rosicky, Benayoun, Walcott, Song, Ramsey, Van Persie.
Man Utd: Lindegaard, Evra, Ferdinand, Jones, Smalling, Valencia, Carrick, Giggs, Nani, Rooney, Welbeck.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Sunday January 22 2012
1600 Hrs
SKY SPORTS 1
TEAM NEWS
Wenger would dearly love to be going into the game with his first-choice line-up, but it will be anything but that.
Injuries have ravaged his defence and it appears Belgium international Thomas Vermaelen will be sidelined again.
With Spaniard Mikel Arteta also set to miss out with his calf problem, things are not looking good for Wenger.
Thierry Henry is also a doubt with a calf injury, leaving Arsenal with few selection issues.
Left-back is the major problem with possible options Bacary Sagna, Kieran Gibbs, Carl Jenkinson, Francis Coquelin and Andre Santos all sidelined, meaning young Spaniard Ignasi Miquel could continue to fill in.
England international Jack Wilshere remains a few weeks away from a possible return.
While Arsenal are beset with injuries, United have been boosted on that front with the news that defensive duo Phil Jones and Chris Smalling look set to return.
Both England defenders missed last week's home win over Bolton after they collided with each other in the Manchester derby win over City.
One piece of bad news for United is that Anderson has suffered a setback in training and will not be involved.
Ferguson must also decide whether to recall David De Gea in goal or stick with Anders Lindegaard.
Ashley Young, Tom Cleverley and Darren Fletcher remain absentees.
Possible starting XIs:
Arsenal: Szczesny, Mertesacker, Djourou, Koscielny, Miquel, Rosicky, Benayoun, Walcott, Song, Ramsey, Van Persie.
Man Utd: Lindegaard, Evra, Ferdinand, Jones, Smalling, Valencia, Carrick, Giggs, Nani, Rooney, Welbeck.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
- The last meeting between the two clubs - United's 8-2 Premier League victory on 28 August at Old Trafford last year - was the highest-scoring of any of their 214 matches since 1894.
- Overall, United have won 89 of those matches - 10 more than Arsenal.
- Since Arsenal left Highbury in May 2006, they have beaten United at the Emirates three times, lost twice, and drawn once (all competitions).
- United last did the double over Arsenal in the 2009-10 season.
[*=center] Arsenal come into the match having suffered back-to-back league defeats for the second time this season.
[*=center] Arsene Wenger's side have now lost a Premier League match from a leading position on three occasions so far. Only West Brom have fared as badly.
[*=center] The Gunners have used the highest number of players in the Premier League this season (30).
[*=center] Robin van Persie has scored 18 Premier League goals this season - equalling his best-ever total in a league season.
[*=center]
Manchester United
[*=center] United have the best away record in the Premier League. At this stage last season they were top of the table, but only had the fourth-best away record.
[*=center] The Red Devils have gone 40 league matches without taking part in a goalless draw.
[*=center] Wayne Rooney has missed two consecutive Premier League penalties. In total, he has missed six of 14 career Premier League penalties (including four of his last eight).
[*=center] Midfielder Paul Scholes has now scored 151 goals for the club (all competitions), making him their outright 10th highest-ever scorer (moving ahead of Ruud van Nistelrooy's 150).
Predictions?
Not confident with all the injuries we have so will go for a 1-1.
Not confident with all the injuries we have so will go for a 1-1.
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