Gary Armstrong 
Arsenal vs Manchester United has always been a fixture to keep your eye on. The scraps, the battles and the glory that has been involved with it all has seen it become one of the most anticipated clashes in the Premier League calendar. However, last night’s 0-0 wasn’t the most exciting, and I believe there were a few players to blame for that on both sides. But here are three United players who failed to inspire.
Arsenal have struggled with their midfield of late, with Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby all injured, and Mathieu Flamini and Mikel Arteta both serving suspensions. However, they are still within touching distance on the top of the table and have come through their 5-1 hammering to Liverpool with a 0-0 draw with Manchester United – but it should have been more.
With Chelsea surprisingly dropping points at West Brom yesterday, it was up to Manchester City and Arsenal this evening to pounce on their mistake and knock the Blues off top spot. However, due to the awful weather City’s tie at home to Sunderland was postponed, so it was up to the Gunners to overcome the challenge from Manchester United, but that didn’t go to plan either.
Life seemed sweet for Leeds fans heading down to the South Coast last night – They had seen manager Brian McDermott re-instated as boss and they had won two games on the spin. With that under their belt and a chance to rejuvenate their hopes for a play-off place the supporters were in high spirit before their game with Brighton. They might have turned up in strong numbers, but their players certainly didn’t.
Long gone are the days of Arsenal being predominantly made up of French players, or at least players who were previously based in the country. With those wielding French accents now situated in Newcastle, Arsene Wenger is seemingly jumping on the German bandwagon as he goes about injecting players hailing from the country into his side.
Liverpool have the chance to close in on third place Manchester City tonight as they travel to lowly Fulham, although Manuel Pellegrini’s side also take to the field at home to Sunderland. Liverpool will be buoyed by their 5-1 thrashing over Arsenal at the weekend and will have watched the Cottagers snatch a last minute goal against Manchester United on Sunday, so will be keen to get the better over them.
When Darren Bent nodded in his last gasp goal at Old Trafford this weekend, hearts around Old Trafford sank pretty heavily. United are now 16 points behind current leaders Chelsea with a game in hand over the Blues, but their game in hand comes against the club who sit just two points off the top; Arsenal. David Moyes has a chance to redeem himself, but which side should they put out to get something at the Emirates?
The big game of this evening is Arsenal vs Manchester United, and both teams are in desperate need of the points but for very different reasons. Arsenal are looking to climb back to the top of the Premier League with a victory, and United are trying to rejuvenate the disappointing season so far with a, perhaps, shock win. The onus is on the home side after United’s shoddy form, so how should they line up to try and get a result?