While Arsenal and Manchester United may not have a formal derby between them, their rivalry is one that’s awed and entertained Premier League fans for decades. It’s a gem of a matchup -- though it’s also, perhaps, one that’s lost some of its shine over the past few years.
Arsenal vs. Manchester United 2015: Time, TV schedule and team news
Old enemies are set to battle once more as the Emirates Stadium prepares for Arsenal and Manchester United to square off.
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With both teams struggling badly to be consistently good in recent times, this match could be a huge opportunity for Arsene Wenger or Louis Van Gaal to lead their team on a real curb-stomping performance over the other and announce that they’re back and for real. Both teams have lacked that kind of major statement victory this season, and matches like this are the perfect time to have one.
Key player -- Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)
Wherever he plays -- behind the striker, on the wing, or in Arsenal’s midfield pivot -- Ramsey is going to be a busy and important man. With so much of Arsenal’s attack and midfield either injured or underperforming, Ramsey’s high work rate and ability to link play between the lines will be absolutely vital. If he’s off his game at all, the Gunners are in big, big trouble.
Key Matchup -- Theo Walcott (Arsenal) vs. Daley Blind (Manchester United)
Arsenal keep insisting on forcing this project of “Theo Walcott, center forward,” and it keeps not really working all that well. That doesn’t mean we won’t get another rendition of it in this match, because we will. While Walcott has mostly struggled in that role, he has had his moments when his pace has made him an asset up top. Fortunately for United, Blind has excelled at slowing down pacey forwards this season, so as long as he can keep Walcott in front of him, United shouldn’t have to worry about that factor of Arsenal’s attack much in this match.
Arsenal injuries and suspensions
Out: Laurent Koscielny (hamstring), Mathieu Flamini (hamstring), Mikel Arteta (thigh), Danny Welbeck (knee), Jack Wilshere (ankle), Tomas Rosicky (knee)
Manchester United injuries and suspensions
Out: Ander Herrera (knock), Marcos Rojo (hamstring), Luke Shaw (leg) In doubt: Michael Carrick (knock)
While Manchester United are trying to sort out their defense thanks to having no healthy natural left backs, Arsenal are desperately seeking warm bodies for their midfield. Wenger probably doesn’t really want to start Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla in midfield given the struggles those two have had to play well together in the past, but he doesn’t seem to have much of another choice at the moment.
Match Date/Time: Sunday, 11:00 a.m. ET, 4 p.m. local
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London, England
TV: NBCSN (U.S. - English), Telemundo (U.S. - Spanish), TSN 3, 5 (Canada), Sky Sports 1/HD (U.K.)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S.), Sky Go, Sky Go Extra (U.K.)
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