Arsène Wenger spoke almost fondly of Manchester United yesterday, recalling past encounters and approving Wayne Rooney's brief as a lone striker. The clubs' obsession with one another has waned since Chelsea became such a concern. Yet the struggle is too tight for decorum to be demonstrated at the Emirates. Arsenal have to show they are more formidable now than when beaten easily there in last season's Champions League semi-final. The visitors will try to demonstrate that they have not gone into decline since then. Kevin McCarra

Venue Emirates Stadium Tickets Sold out Last season Arsenal 2 Man United 1 Referee C Foy

This season's matches 17 Y47, R2, 3.88 cards per game

sportingbet odds Arsenal 7-5 Man United 17-10 Draw 11-5

Arsenal

Subs from Fabianski, Mannone, Traoré, Silvestre, Ramsey, Nasri, Walcott, Eboué, Eastmond, Vela, Bendtner

Doubtful Mérida (ankle), Vermaelen (leg), Song (match fitness), Bendtner (match fitness)

Injured Diaby (calf, 6 Feb), Eduardo (hamstring, 10 Feb), Djourou (knee, May), Van Persie (ankle, May), Gibbs (foot, Aug) Suspended None

Form guide DWWDWW Disciplinary record Y33 R0

Leading scorer Fábregas 11

Man United

Subs from Foster, Kuszczak, Brown, Park, Neville, Berbatov, Scholes, Anderson, Owen, Gibson, Obertan, Diouf, Fábio, De Laet

Doubtful Berbatov (knee), Vidic (nerve)

Injured Macheda (hamstring, 6 Feb), O'Shea (thigh, Aug), Hargreaves (knee, unknown)

Suspended Ferdinand (first of four)

Form guide WWDWWL Disciplinary record Y34 R3

Leading scorer Rooney 19

Match pointers

• Since Arsène Wenger arrived in north London there have been 27 league meetings between these teams, United winning 10, Arsenal nine and eight draws

• Despite winning at the Emirates in the Champions League last season, United's recent record has been unexceptional with one win and four defeats in their last nine league visits to Arsenal

• Wayne Rooney has netted 12 goals in his last 10 league matches

• Arsenal have lost just two of their last 23 league games at home, both to Chelsea