Wenger and Sir Alex set to lock horns for the 47th time
Wenger and Sir Alex
By Chris,
January 21 2012
Manchester United travel to North London to face Arsenal on a crucial Sunday of Premier League action. The fact that Paul Scholes and Thierry Henry could both feature in this fixture would have been unthinkable at the start of the season!
Henry’s chances of playing, however, are in doubt as the New York Red Bulls man is suffering with a slight calf strain.
The Frenchman’s last league goal at Ashburton Grove was against United – but it looks increasingly unlikely that he will be involved this weekend as he struggles to shake off his injury problem.
Sir Alex Ferguson has big decisions to make at the heart of his defence. Jonny Evans is anxious to keep his place – and has helped United to four clean sheets in his last four appearances, but Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are available again for the Red Devils.
Danny Welbeck is a doubt for United with a knee injury, whilst Ashley Young, Nemanja Vidic, Michael Owen, Tom Cleverly, Anderson and Darren Fletcher remain on the sidelines.
For the hosts, Mikel Arteta and Thomas Vermaelen are both unlikely to feature.
Sunday’s contest is the 47th time that Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger have done battle – and the last time these two teams met, United claimed an incredible 8-2 victory at Old Trafford!
As reported on ManUtdWeb, Wayne Rooney believes Arsenal can still win the league title. But the Gunners must surely win on Sunday to keep alive any vaguely faint hopes of launching a realistic challenge for the championship.
Victory for the Red Devils would ensure they complete a league double over Arsenal – a feat Sir Alex has previously achieved in 1996/1997, 2004/2005, 2009/2010.
Ladbrokes price United at 13/8 to claim an away win, whilst Arsenal are 2/1. They also have it at 2/1 to be honours even.