After the 7-5 comes memories of the 8-2 for Arsenal. Arsène Wenger's men travel to Old Trafford buoyed by their incredible midweek recovery against Reading and looking to avenge the mauling they suffered away to Manchester United last season. This is undoubtedly a stronger Arsenal side but there has been one significant weakness to their ranks since that defeat – the loss of Robin van Persie, who has continued to sparkle since joining United in August and on Saturday lunchtime has the chance to harm former team-mates. Sachin Nakrani
Venue Old Trafford, Saturday 12.45pm
Tickets Sold out
Last season Man Utd 8 Arsenal 2
Referee Mike Dean
This season's matches 6 Y15, R0, 2.50 cards per game
Odds Man Utd 4-6 Arsenal 4-1 Draw 3-1
Manchester United
Subs from Lindegaard, Johnstone, Buttner, Hernández, Welbeck, Scholes, Nani, Anderson, Giggs, Powell, Macheda, Bebé, Fletcher, Henríquez
Doubtful None Injured Smalling (metatarsal, 10 Nov), Jones (knee, 17 Nov), Kagawa (knee, Dec)
Suspended None Form guide WWWLWW
Disciplinary record Y13 R0
Leading scorer Van Persie 7
Arsenal
Subs from Martínez, Jenkinson, Yennaris, Djourou, Koscielny, Squillaci, Frimpong, Walcott, Coquelin, Gnarby, Arshavin, Chamakh
Doubtful None
Injured Ox-Chamberlain (hip, 10 Nov), Szczesny (ankle, 10 Nov), Gibbs (thigh, 10 Nov), Rosicky (tendon, 17 Nov), Diaby (thigh, 17 Nov), Gervinho (ankle, 24 Nov), Fabianski (ankle, Feb)
Suspended None
Form guide WLWLDW
Disciplinary record Y7 R0
Leading scorer Gervinho 3
Match pointers
• Last season's 8-2 defeat for Arsenal was the only time they have scored more than once away to United in the Premier League
• There have been nine penalties in Premier League games between these sides (seven for United and two for Arsenal) – all of them have come at Old Trafford and five have been missed
• Wayne Rooney has scored 10 goals against Arsenal in the Premier League, a haul that only Robbie Fowler can match
• If selected, Johan Djourou will be making his 100th top-flight appearance, just over eight years since his debut in 2004
• United have scored in their past 53 Premier League home games – an all-time record for the competition
