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All equal, but Gunners have the subs to edge past United

Arsenal were humbled by Barcelona in the Champions League this week, but there is no time to feel sorry for themselves. Old Trafford awaits, in a fixture that offers Arsene Wenger’s side a welcome dose of title-chasing momentum. From back to front, TODAY’s EPL expert Adrian Clarke (sports [at] mediacorp.com.sg) weighs up the formbook ahead of another titanic Man United versus Arsenal showdown.

With a depth of subs and starters, Arsenal (picture) will take on an injury-plagued Man United. Photo: Reuters

With a depth of subs and starters, Arsenal (picture) will take on an injury-plagued Man United. Photo: Reuters

Arsenal were humbled by Barcelona in the Champions League this week, but there is no time to feel sorry for themselves. Old Trafford awaits, in a fixture that offers Arsene Wenger’s side a welcome dose of title-chasing momentum. From back to front, TODAY’s EPL expert Adrian Clarke (sports [at] mediacorp.com.sg) weighs up the formbook ahead of another titanic Man United versus Arsenal showdown.

BETWEEN THE STICKS

In a division stacked with some of the finest goalkeepers on the planet, David de Gea and Petr Cech are top dogs, and each has the talent to swing this contest their way.

In a 2-1 win at the Emirates last term, De Gea produced eight wondrous stops in a breathtaking one-man show. He is often a thorn in Arsene Wenger’s side. If, as expected, he passes a late fitness test, it will be a huge fillip for the hosts.

The also-brilliant Cech kept clean sheets on his final two outings at Old Trafford as a Chelsea player, and how he would love to complete a hat trick.

In spite of Arsenal’s results this season, Cech has actually been forced into making 29 more saves than De Gea. He should not have been that overworked, and that incredible stat outlines his importance.

If both men are at their best, it will be a low-scoring affair.

THE REARGUARD

It is by no means perfect, but Arsenal do have the better back four. Spanish fullbacks Hector Bellerin and Nacho Monreal make my Team of the Year, and when he is on song, Laurent Koscielny is a soul-destroying man-marker and interceptor.

Although Per Mertesacker’s big-match experience and positioning make him a far better player than most give him credit for, his limitations still flash in neon lights. Isolate the giant centre-back with space to run into, and it is game over for the Gunners skipper.

United duo Chris Smalling and Daley Blind have not maintained the high standards they set in the early months, but are still the most reliable defenders at Louis van Gaal’s disposal. If Smalling is not fit to start, it will give Arsenal a pre-match lift.

United are scraping the barrel for right-backs, with reserve players Guillermo Varela or Donald Love perhaps asked to contain Alexis Sanchez. That could be a problem.

MIDFIELD HEARTLAND

Van Gaal opted for a high-press in midfield last time out that offered little protection of that precious space between the lines — an area which Mesut Ozil gleefully exploited to hand United a 3-0 drubbing.

I am convinced Morgan Schneiderlin and Michael Carrick will be asked to sit deep and anchor with greater security. This defensive mindset is one reason United fans have felt so exasperated this season (celebrating just 15 goals in 12 home games), but they cannot afford to be too gung-ho against the Gunners.

Right now, Arsenal’s engine room unit is not functioning at its best. Without Santi Cazorla’s cool-handed guile, an element of controlled possession has been lost, so United have a far better chance of dominating this section of the pitch.

If United can get Juan Mata on to the ball in dangerous areas, their superb recent record in this fixture can be maintained.

GOAL-GETTERS

In 260 Premier League matches this season, Arsenal hold all four top positions in the “chances created inside the box” category. Creatively, they are magnificent. If only they had the shooting boots to match.

Ranked 10th in the “chance conversion” stakes, Wenger’s men must improve their finishing, or their title dreams will die out in the coming weeks.

Top scorer Olivier Giroud has been criticised, but I lay blame elsewhere. It is imperative Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey, Ozil and Alexis chip in. It cannot all be down to Giroud.

In a serious blow, United have lost their two best strikers, Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial, to injury, so there will be an element of surprise to Van Gaal’s selection.

Dutch flop Memphis Depay did well as an emergency striker at Watford, and was superb in the Europa League on Friday morning, so he could be the safest bet.

If not, academy graduate Marcus Rashford, 18, has to be the first in line, having scored twice in a dream debut against FC Midtjylland. He is powerful, raw and boasts youthful enthusiasm. He might be a handy wild card pick.

Wide man Jesse Lingard has four goals in his last nine starts, so much will rest on his shoulders. For a player of his inexperience to be United’s chief goal threat, tells its own story.

GAME-CHANGERS

With over 12 first-teamers injured, it is hard to recall a time when United’s bench looked so weak. If his starting XI are struggling, Van Gaal does not have an exciting Plan B up his sleeve. Defensively, back-ups are limited.

This could be a deciding factor in the game, not least because Arsenal are blessed with terrific depth at the moment. In defence and midfield, the subs are almost as strong as the starters, and in Walcott, Danny Welbeck, Joel Campbell or Alex Iwobi, the Gunners can turn up the heat in the second half.

If an impact sub makes the difference, they will be wearing gold.

Former Arsenal midfielder Adrian Clarke has played at every level of the English game. Now an experienced sports journalist, he writes for a number of major football websites and international publications. Follow him @adrianjclarke

BIG MATCH PREDICTIONS

Leicester City v Norwich City

The Canaries have conceded 21 goals in their last seven matches, so you can imagine the major butterflies ahead of a clash with Vardy, Mahrez and co. After their last-minute disappointment at Arsenal, this is an ideal game for Leicester to bounce back in, and they should do so with ease.

Prediction: Leicester 3 Norwich 0

Southampton v Chelsea

The Saints wiped the floor with an out-of-sorts Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, but the Blues won’t find revenge easy though at St Mary’s. They won’t find revenge easy though. Deploying a new 3-5-2 formation, and with keeper Fraser Forster in superb form, Southampton are seeking a club-record-equalling seventh clean sheet in a row. To avoid defeat, Guus Hiddink’s side must bring their A-game.

Prediction: Southampton 0 Chelsea 0

Tottenham v Swansea

New manager Francesco Guidolin has steadied the Swansea ship. They are still in the relegation mire, but Andre Ayew and Gylfi Sigurdsson are at least back on song. Spurs have coped well with title expectations, but can they hold their nerve at the business end? This won’t be a stroll in the park.

Prediction: Tottenham 1 Swansea 1

Manchester City v Liverpool (League Cup Final)

Pressing with military precision and playing with a passion they’d not displayed before or since, Liverpool smashed City back in November, Buoyed by the availability of star trio Daniel Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino, the Reds will be dreaming of a repeat at Wembley tomorrow.

The League Cup represents Manuel Pellegrini’s best chance of one last trophy at City, and if his team play with the same quality they exuded against Dynamo Kiev in midweek, they will deliver that parting gift for him.

But my hunch says Jurgen Klopp’s smile will be the widest at the final whistle.

Prediction: Manchester City 2 Liverpool 3 (after extra time)

TV TIMES:

Tonight:

West Ham v Sunderland (Singtel Ch102 & StarHub Ch227; 8.45pm)

Southampton v Chelsea (Ch103 & Ch228; 10.55pm)

Watford v Bournemouth (Ch104 & Ch229; 10.55pm)

Stoke v Aston Villa (Ch105 & Ch230; 10.55pm)

Leicester v Norwich (Ch102 & Ch227; 11pm)

Tomorrow:

West Brom v Crystal Palace (Ch102 & Ch227; 1.30am)

Tottenham v Swansea (Ch103 & Ch228; 9.45pm)

Man Utd v Arsenal (Ch102 & Ch227; 10.05pm)

LEAGUE CUP FINAL

Monday:

Liverpool v Man City (Singtel Ch109; 12.30am)

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