Chances are that it will be either Tomas Rosicky or Samir Nasri to play in the central role. Nasri has often been overlooked to play in the hole as Arsene likes to utilise his pace to get in behind the opposition

A couple of weeks ago we were allowed to gently pick ourselves up from Carling cup final defeat by smacking Leyton Orient for five at the Emirates. A nice and kind way of restoring a little belief as well as being able to rotate the squad around.

We really could do with another home tie against weaker opposition after our Camp Nou frustration, instead the only team above us in the top tier of English football await us in the theatre of nightmares or whatever stupid name they call their stadium.

Two heavy weights with crushed and battered ego’s go head to head in the sixth round of the FA cup. The red Mancs have lost their last two games against Chelsea and Liverpool, continuing their poor away form this season, whilst our draw against Sunderland and defeat against Busacca Barcelona may have sapped away at our belief.

I am sure that both managers would have wanted to rest personnel for different reasons. Manchester United have a big Champions League game in midweek against Marseille, the tie delicately poised at 0-0 after the first leg. The Arsenal squad have a few injuries at present and the players who played on Tuesday would have some tired legs after playing a majority of the game without the ball.

This game is not just a chance of progressing in the FA Cup, it is a chance to lift morale and push the rival that little further down psychologically.

Arsene sounded very certain of fielding his strongest side and perhaps playing Tuesday as opposed to Wednesday has meant that the extra day rest along with a late kick off will give his troops enough recovery time.

Arsene is likely to make a few changes from midweek but perhaps not as many as he would like. Andrey Arshavin should start the game and he may have Kieran Gibbs behind him at left back.
Wenger has a few decisions to make in his midfield and wide attacking positions.

Cesc Fabregas has yet another hamstring problem and will not be available so that position needs to be filled. I would love to see Aaron Ramsey make his come back in this game. It may be a big stage for his first game at Arsenal since last year but he is fresh and has the ability to make things happen. I would also love to see his link up with Jack Wilshere to bring back memories of past Carling cup evenings at the Emirates.

Chances are that it will be either Tomas Rosicky or Samir Nasri to play in the central role. Nasri has often been overlooked to play in the hole as Arsene likes to utilise his pace to get in behind the opposition. Denilson also has a chance of being involved after taking no part in Europe.

Many of those candidates for the midfield are also an option for the wide attacking position. Nicklas Bendtner is probably the most likely player to get the spot although I worry about Evra using every opportunity to pin Bendtner back towards his own goal. Also without Nasri, Rosicky and Walcott we lose a little creativity in the wide areas and that could be important at a place like Old Trafford where possession will be important.

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line UpA couple of weeks ago we were allowed to gently pick ourselves up from Carling cup final defeat by smacking Leyton Orient for five at the Emirates. A nice and kind way of restoring a little belief as well as being able to rotate the squad around.

We really could do with another home tie against weaker opposition after our Camp Nou frustration, instead the only team above us in the top tier of English football await us in the theatre of nightmares or whatever stupid name they call their stadium.

Two heavy weights with crushed and battered ego’s go head to head in the sixth round of the FA cup. The red Mancs have lost their last two games against Chelsea and Liverpool, continuing their poor away form this season, whilst our draw against Sunderland and defeat against Busacca *** Barcelona may have sapped away at our belief.

I am sure that both managers would have wanted to rest personnel for different reasons. Manchester United have a big Champions League game in midweek against Marseille, the tie delicately poised at 0-0 after the first leg. The Arsenal squad have a few injuries at present and the players who played on Tuesday would have some tired legs after playing a majority of the game without the ball.

This game is not just a chance of progressing in the FA Cup, it is a chance to lift morale and push the rival that little further down psychologically.

Arsene sounded very certain of fielding his strongest side and perhaps playing Tuesday as opposed to Wednesday has meant that the extra day rest along with a late kick off will give his troops enough recovery time.

Arsene is likely to make a few changes from midweek but perhaps not as many as he would like. Andrey Arshavin should start the game and he may have Kieran Gibbs behind him at left back.
Wenger has a few decisions to make in his midfield and wide attacking positions.

Cesc Fabregas has yet another hamstring problem and will not be available so that position needs to be filled. I would love to see Aaron Ramsey make his come back in this game. It may be a big stage for his first game at Arsenal since last year but he is fresh and has the ability to make things happen. I would also love to see his link up with Jack Wilshere to bring back memories of past Carling cup evenings at the Emirates.

Chances are that it will be either Tomas Rosicky or Samir Nasri to play in the central role. Nasri has often been overlooked to play in the hole as Arsene likes to utilise his pace to get in behind the opposition. Denilson also has a chance of being involved after taking no part in Europe.

Many of those candidates for the midfield are also an option for the wide attacking position. Nicklas Bendtner is probably the most likely player to get the spot although I worry about Evra using every opportunity to pin Bendtner back towards his own goal. Also without Nasri, Rosicky and Walcott we lose a little creativity in the wide areas and that could be important at a place like Old Trafford where possession will be important.

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up

One to watch: Abou Diaby

It is fair to say that Abou didn’t have his best game in midweek, Barcelona’s pressing really neutralised his game and for that reason I was surprised that he got the nod ahead of Denilson but this is the type of game that Diaby thrives on. Away from home in the Premier League against one of our rivals. In Song’s absence, he may well have to put the breaks on a little but when he can, he will get forward and I think he will cause Manchester United some problems.

Key Battles to look out for:

Darren Fletcher vs Abou Diaby
Paul Scholes vs Jack Wilshere
Wayne Rooney vs Laurent Koscielny
Da Silva vs Andrey Arshavin

Mean Lean’s Match Prediction:

Manchester United 1 Arsenal 2 (Arshavin, Diaby)

I expect Arsenal to put on a very determined display and it will be interesting to see how Ferguson approaches the game. He is without Nani and Valencia and without those two wide men, his side look like they lack creativity. I expect Manchester United to be compact and try and catch us on the break but I believe we will be ready. Our team defending has improved since we last met them at Old Trafford and I hope that we have enough on the pitch to overcome them.

COME ON YOU GUNNERS.