Arsenal will host Manchester United at the Emirates tomorrow evening in a match that could propel the Gunners into the third position in the league standings, if their London Rivals, Chelsea, fails to beat Newcastle United.
Manchester United will have to defeat the Gunners in order to keep up with early League leaders Manchester City, who will be having a relatively easy fixture.
The now reinvigorated Gunners have won their last 12 home matches in the league, with their last home defeat coming against Watford back in January this year. The last time United visited Emirates stadium they lost 2-0 against the hosts.
Arsene Wenger vs Mourihno
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has only won once against United manager Jose Mourinho in their last 12 encounters. Wenger will be hoping to improve his poor record against Mourinho, who seems to have an edge over Wenger both on and off the pitch.
Both managers use different styles of play, with Wenger keen to impress the eye with his Tiki-Taka style of play, while Mourinho style of play is more pragmatic. Mourihno will do anything to get the best out of his team even if it means being ultra-defensive.
Arsenal will miss the services of Alexandre Lacazette who got injured while playing against Huddersfield town on Wednesday evening. Lacazette was instrumental in the 2-0 win over Arsenal bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspurs in the league two weeks ago.
Wenger should use the tactics that have served him well in the past two encounters against United at the Emirates stadium. That is why he should resist the temptation of playing Olivier Giroud, who scored two goals against Huddersfield town on Wednesday evening. Instead, he should play Danny Welbeck who epitomizes the art of defending from the front.
Welbeck is a like for like replacement of Lacazette but with fewer abilities. What Welbeck lacks in terms of technical ability, he compensates it with his hardworking abilities. The England striker has proven in the past to be a thorn in the flesh of United defenders.
Probable Arsenal lineup and formation
Arsene Wenger will probably use a 3-4-2-1 formation.
In defense, he will lineup with a back three consisting of Laurent Koscielny, Shkodran Mustafi and the ever-present, reliable defender Nacho Monreal who will be stationed on the left side of the back 3.
In the right wing back position, Wenger will play high-flying Spanish defender Héctor Bellerin, while the Bosnian tank Saed Kolasinac will be placed on the left wing back position.
The two midfield positions will be occupied by the attack minded midfield kingpin Aaron Ramsey, who will be partnered together with defensive conscious midfielder Granit Xhaka.
The three attacking positions will consist of: Chile international stricker Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Danny Welbeck who will have the responsibility putting the ball in the net for the Gunners.
