Despite losing 1-0 to Swansea City on Monday night thanks to a David Ospina clanger the Gunners will travel to Old Trafford today full of confidence against a United team witch should suit Arsenal’s style of play.
And while everyone maybe thinking about the FA Cup final at the end of the month, this match is important for both teams with Arsenal knowing a win would probably guarantee them third place as their next two matches are at home to Sunderland and West Brom.
Team news for Arsenal is that Aaron Ramsey is fit to play, so we expect to see him take part despite not having trained, While Danny Welbeck, Mathieu Debuchy and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are still all unavailable due to injury.
Goalkeeper
We think Wenger will stick with Ospina this afternoon despite his mistake Monday night, and that it will be his last game of the season giving FA Cup keeper Wojciech Szczesny some valuable playing time against Sunderland and West Brom ahead of the Wembley final with Aston Villa.
Defence
Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny will once more be in the heart of Arsenal defence while Spanish youngster Hector Bellerin continues to cement his place at right-back, while Nacho Monreal gets the nod over on the left.
Midfield
This is where we think the game will be either won or lost, with Santi Cazorla and Mesut Ozil’s performances crucial if the Gunners are to win. The main battle however will be between Belgium international Marouane Fellaini and Arsenal defensive midfielder Francis Coquelin with the 24-year-old Frenchman hoping his nose does not come a cropper to Fellaini’s elbow. Aaron Ramsey meanwhile will be looking to get the ball up to Alexis Sanchez who could prove to be the Gunners biggest threat to United’s defence.
Attack
Once more Oliver Giroud will spearhead the front-line with us hoping that Wenger will make moves to bring in a top striker this summer as Giroud has been relied upon too heavily this season.
