Wednesday's collision between Arsenal and Manchester United is important for both teams, if for different reasons. Arsenal need an immediate response after their crushing loss against Liverpool while United just need something positive to happen as their season continues to be a disaster, by their high standards.
Arsenal vs. Manchester United: Preview and TV schedule
Arsenal need a win to re-assert themselves in the title race. United need a win as they try to salvage their season. This should be fun.
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Arsenal's 5-1 loss to Liverpool dropped them out of first and has the doubters firing full broadsides at Arsene Wenger's team. Returning to the Emirates Stadium will help as the Gunners have allowed just a single goal at home in their last 11 matches in all competitions.
This game is also another chance for the Arsenal fans to give former Gunners striker Robin Van Persie a “warm” welcome.
David Moyes' first season in charge of United has been nothing short of nightmare with poor results and injuries having sunk the proud club all the way to seventh, nine points behind the final Champions League spot. Hence the critics have been sharpening their knives and calling for Moyes to be fired though that doesn't seem likely. United have won just twice in their last six league matches, including a loss and draw in their last two.
United won the first meeting on the season between the two teams in early November 1-0 thanks to a goal from van Persie.
Arsenal injuries and suspensions
Out: Mathieu Flamini (suspended), Aaron Ramsey (thigh), Kim Kallstrom (back), Thomas Vermaelen (calf), Abou Diaby (knee), Theo Walcott (knee).
Manchester United injuries and suspensions
Out: Phil Jones (calf), Marouanne Fellaini (groin), Jonny Evans (calf).
Jones and Evans remain sidelined for United with calf injuries while Fellaini is still working back from a groin injury picked up last week. Arsenal’s injury list remains long with Ramsey, Kalstrom and Vermaelen still not fit. Flamini is serving the final match of a three game ban for a red card.
Projected lineups
Arsenal: Wojciech Szczesny, Bacary Sagna, Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny, Kieran Gibbs, Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshire, Mesut Özil, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Santi Cazorla, Olivier Giroud.
Manchester United: David de Gea, Rafael, Chris Smalling, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra, Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher, Juan Mata, Wayne Rooney, Adnan Januzaj, Robin Van Persie.
Match Date/Time: 7:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London, England
TV: NBC Sports Network, Mun2 (U.S.), BT Sport 1 (U.K.), TSN (Canada)
Online: NBC Live Extra (U.S.)
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