I think Wenger will revert Arshavin back to center forward due to Bendtner’s lack of fitness and also because of Arshavin’s inconsistent defensive work. Wenger will not only be considering his own side when picking the line up

Arsenal vs Manchester United for me has to be the biggest game in English football since the Premier League was formed in 1992.

While both teams have their local rivalries to attend to a few times a season, this game has always been the big one in my opinion. Two teams who have had more than their fair share of history on and off the pitch, from Keane and Vieira, Fergie and Wenger mind games to Keown’s elbow drop on Van Nistelrooy. The clubs may have mellowed since the new generation of players on both sides but Evra and Cesc will tell you that they are not ready to cuddle and kiss just yet.

With the Gunners picking up a point at Villa Park and Chelsea overcoming Burnley after a late winner from the disgraced John Terry, it means the gap has reopened to five points and closing that gap will be important if not decisive as yet. It is very feasible that Chelsea could drop six points in their back to back games with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge and then Everton away in a couple of weeks so keeping in touching distance will be achieved with victory this afternoon.

This Manchester United squad that will take to the Emirates pitch is possibly the worst that I have seen for many years, still they sit in a very healthy league position, one point ahead of us. Much of that credit must go to Wayne Rooney who has clicked into gear at the right time and is scoring goals for fun. He must be stopped by the team and not just Sol Campbell,Tomas Vermaelen or whichever center back that is detailed to mark him. Rooney is likely to pull out wide or drop deeper into midfield and the likes of Song, Denilson and our full backs will have to be on their game.

Wayne Rooney will not be the only player in the opposition line up that has the potential to cause us problems. Alex Ferguson would have watched the Aston Villa match on Wednesday and would have picked up on Gael Clichy’s lack of match fitness.

Antonio Valencia will be looking to isolate Clichy and have a go at him. Clichy will have to have a good game but almost as important will be the tracking of both Rosicky should he play in a wide left attacking role and Denilson who will hopefully drop back into that left area to support his full back.

Supporters who perpetuate the myth that the Brazilian only passes backwards and sideways and doesn’t have any other influence on the game should keep an eye on which areas of the pitch Denilson finds himself in when the opposition are attacking. If you are looking for a drag back or keepy uppys then Denilson isn’t the player you want but if you are looking for a player to do work off the ball to help the teams defensive balance then I find it difficult to understand the flack that the guy gets.

I think Wenger will revert Arshavin back to center forward due to Bendtner’s lack of fitness and also because of Arshavin’s inconsistent defensive work. Wenger will not only be considering his own side when picking the line up, he will be thinking of the threat that comes from Manchester United.

Rosicky and Nasri will track their full back, will get in tackles, will fight for possession. Arshavin can be used as a center forward in the hope that he flicks the ball through Vidic’s legs and powers a strike past Van der Sar or any such moment of brilliance.

Wenger has the option of going more offensively if need be, by bringing on Bendtner and pushing Arshavin back to a left attack position. Hopefully that move will not have to be made as we would likely be ahead if that decision is not made.

Regular readers will know that I have been frustrated with our start of games in recent weeks and I pray to the Lord Wenger that we can fly out of the traps as we have done against them many times over the years. We started fantastically well against them in last seasons horrific Champions League semi final at the Emirates and I would be more than happy with another start like that, instantly putting them on the back foot, but this time scoring the all important first goal.

It goes without saying that scoring first is key and it appears to be a little problem in recent weeks. Apart from the 2-0 victory away to Bolton the last time we scored first was the 4-1 victory against Portsmouth on the 30th December 2009. In six games since then we have scored the first goal only once.

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up

This team may not have the physical presence of Van Persie or Bendtner but it has a wonderful fluid and creative look about it. If this is the side to take to the field then I expect plenty of interchange and movement between the front three and Cesc in particular. I have a feeling that Thomas Vermaelen will be ready to play but I will go with Campbell and hopefully have nice surprise come kick off time.

Mean Lean’s Match Prediction

These games are always impossible to predict and they are usually tight affairs but with the quality on show in the Arsenal line up I hope that it can be too much for United who will be missing some key defenders. Manchester United will be looking to the likes of Fletcher, Carrick and Park to stifle the Arsenal movement but with so many attacking options on show, Arsenal may break that down in the first 45 minutes which will open the game up.

William Gallas is a big game player and hasn’t scored since October so a nice early scrappy opener will do nicely.

COME ON YOU GUNNERS.