Manchester united v Arsenal Preview

Arsenal looking for their first win at Old Trafford in nearly a decade.

Arsenal take-on Man United in the FA Cup quarter-final at Old Trafford in what is undoubtedly the tie of the round which pits the two teams who have won this competition the most against each other.

For the Gunners, it is all about getting over the psychological barrier which is a factor when going to Old Trafford and the north London side will certainly be wanting revenge for somehow losing the league encounter between the two sides earlier on in the season.

Here is how the Gunners are expected to line-up.

GK – Wojciech Szczesny

Trained ahead of the encounter after being a doubt heading into the game and will no doubt be hoping to impress and get back in the starting XI on a regular basis.

RB – Hector Bellerin

Continues to impress and grow on a weekly basis and is one of the first names on the team sheet – Mathieu Debuchy has a fight on his hands when he returns.

CB – Per Mertesacker

Returned to the side in midweek with a commanding performance after being given a rest against Everton last week, Mertesacker will be key for the defensive side of Arsenal’s game.

CB – Laurent Koscielny

Gabriel’s hamstring injury mean Koscielny will come a back in and partner Mertesacker hoping to replicate the defensive performance at the Etihad Stadium in January.

LB – Kieran Gibbs

Has returned to the team ahead of the perviously impressive Nacho Monreal and needs to do more to cement his place with Charlie Austin’s goal on Wednesday night partly his fault.

CDM – Francis Coquelin

Played with a mask due to a broken nose on Wednesday night and his performance showed why Wenger was desperate for the Frenchman to play, one of the most important players in the team.

CM – Santi Cazorla

The chief tormentor in the Arsenal team and Cazorla could be the deciding factor in the game with Man United not possessing a player of his ilk in their midfield.

CAM – Mesut Ozil

The German needs to finally produce in a big game and given that he will probably be granted a central role, Ozil can have no excuses and must also offer something when not in possession of the ball.

RW – Danny Welbeck

Wenger can play Welbeck, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain or Theo Walcott on the right hand side but with an expansive midfield, the Arsenal boss may opt for the former Man United given his defensive qualities.

LW – Alexis Sanchez

Scored a virtuoso solo goal against QPR to remind many what he is capable after going seven games without scoring and Alexis will certainly be the most dangerous man on the pitch on Monday night.

CF – Olivier Giroud

Another goal to add to his record on Wednesday after being questioned, but Giroud must still prove that he can score goals in on the biggest stage and not need too many chances.

With Jonny Evans beginning the first of a six game suspension following the spitting controversy, and this game looking more important by the day, here is how the Red Devils could line up:

GK – David de Gea

De Gea has arguably been Manchester United’s most important player this season, making nine Premier League clean sheets and reportedly lined up for a move to Europe’s top teams.

CB – Marcos Rojo

A new signing this season, Rojo is yet to prove himself and will want to show a resolute performance in what is likely to be a traditional blood and thunder cup tie.

CB – Phil Jones

Phil Jones will be forced to start owing to Jonny Evans’ suspension, but he may have played anyway. The 23-year-old suffered an injury earlier this season but will see this as the perfect game to assert his physicality.

CB – Chris Smalling

Contributed to a clean sheet in the drab 1-0 away win against Newcastle and will hope for a similar result in the cup.

RWB – Antonio Valencia

Needs to show more defensively to impress in this role, not simply play like a restricted winger. Arsenal’s pacy attackers will look to expose his defensive weaknesses, but Valencia will want to stand up in an incredibly important game.

CM – Ander Herrera

The young Spaniard has impressed in his recent starts, scoring three goals and assisting three. He will be hoping to kick on to keep the dream of silverware in his first season alive.

CM – Daley Blind

A reasonable season for the Dutch international, which has been marred somewhat by niggling injuries. He is a calming influence in midfield and his creative streak and accurate passing could be the key to unlock Arsenal’s defence.

LWB – Ashley Young

The Englishman has impressed recently, stepping up to the plate when so many Manchester United players have stayed inside their shell. Scored the winner in their last game at Newcastle and is surely playing for a new contract at Old Trafford.

CAM – Adnan Januzaj

Angel di Maria is having a torrid time at the moment, and the £59.4 million will likely be dropped, if for no other reason than to show that nobody’s place in the side is secure.

CM – Marouane Fellaini

After over a year Marouane Fellaini is finally finding a role in the Manchester United side. Playing just behind Wayne Rooney, his physicality can be vital when the Red Devils need to mix it up.

ST – Wayne Rooney

When his side win and play well, the overwhelming likelihood is that so does their captain. No-one contributes more to their good performances and he will need to be on his game against Arsenal.

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