Fulham at Old Trafford is a fixture that would have been a guaranteed three points to the home side in the past, today it is no surprise whatsoever that the away side managed to grab a draw. But tonight’s game is a different game completely. Manchester United will have no pressure to take the game to Arsenal unlike their last game. I wonder how Moyes will approach tonight’s game. Liverpool proved incredibly successful taking the game to Arsenal, pressing us high up the pitch and not letting us get out of our own half. I am not sure whether Moyes will have the bravery to do that at the Emirates and instead may decide to park the bus and hit us on the break with pace and obvious quality in van Persie, Rooney and Mata. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the latter.

You have to feel for those who have been waiting desperately for Arsenal to falter before launching into Arsenal in crisis stories, how bored must they have been all season and then to make matters worse, as soon as we slip up Manchester City and then Chelsea drop points also which automatically water down the crisis stories. Bless them.

But these stories should be something that the fans can get worked up by and not the players. The performance at Anfield should be plenty for the players to concern themselves with, they do not need to read or listen to anyone else to know that what they served up or indeed failed to serve up was simply not good enough on the weekend, especially if they want to continue in this title race. A completely different performance will be needed tonight at the Emirates Stadium against an out of sorts Manchester United.

Fulham at Old Trafford is a fixture that would have been a guaranteed three points to the home side in the past, today it is no surprise whatsoever that the away side managed to grab a draw. But tonight’s game is a different game completely. Manchester United will have no pressure to take the game to Arsenal unlike their last game. I wonder how Moyes will approach tonight’s game. Liverpool proved incredibly successful taking the game to Arsenal, pressing us high up the pitch and not letting us get out of our own half. I am not sure whether Moyes will have the bravery to do that at the Emirates and instead may decide to park the bus and hit us on the break with pace and obvious quality in van Persie, Rooney and Mata. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the latter.

How we approach the game is also of great interest, especially after what happened at Liverpool. While we will want to show greater commitment and passion we must not let emotion get the better of us and get caught out by a sucker punch. Especially not from that bloke, you know which one. Can we play him just this once without him scoring please? Thanks.

I can’t help but feel that this game will be significant in relation to the rest of our season. Mathematically it is only 3 points, we’ve seen how quickly that can disappear. It is psychologically where this game can make a big impact both positively or god forbid negatively. With the upcoming tough fixtures ahead we need a big win even if that is against a fading Manchester United.

So what of player selection?

I don’t see many changes happening. Perhaps Kieran Gibbs coming back into the team and the only other realistic option would have to be Tomas Rosicky. We have missed his energy and drive. With Antonio Valencia possibly starting the game for Manchester United I wouldn’t be surprised to see Cazorla being the one to drop out and Rosicky to come in on the left. If the game is level late on and we are in control then Cazorla and Podolski can come on to try and win the game.

While we all like Jack Wilshere’s driving runs forward, it would be nice if he could offer Arteta and the back four a tad more protection tonight instead of huge midfield holes being shown all over the pitch. I’d like to see him deeper tonight and allow the forward players to make the difference.

I am going for…

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up:

At present the conditions doesn’t exactly set the game up for a classic but both teams need to get a positive result so I don’t think it will be a dour game. If we win we go back to the top of the table, that would be nice.

Come on Arsenal, three points and all is forgiven.

COYG