Sunday 4 October 2015 16:25, UK
Manchester United are looking for a fifth consecutive win in all competitions as they travel to Arsenal on Super Sunday.
Since their defeat to PSV in the Champions League, Louis van Gaal's side have beaten Southampton, Ipswich, Sunderland and Wolfsburg - scoring 11 goals in the process.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have been rather more inconsistent and suffered their second Champions League defeat in as many games on Tuesday as Olympiakos secured a shock 3-2 win at the Emirates.
However, in their previous Premier League match, the Gunners swept Leicester aside at the King Power Stadium, Alexis Sanchez scoring a hat-trick in a 5-2 triumph.
United came out on top in this fixture last season as Wayne Rooney added to a Kieran Gibbs own goal before Olivier Giroud scored a late consolation for Arsene Wenger's side.
Team news
Arsenal will be without centre-half Laurent Koscielny (hamstring) for Sunday's clash with United.
Striker Olivier Giroud is in contention after being suspended for the midweek Champions League defeat to Olympiakos.
Mathieu Flamini (hamstring) and captain Mikel Arteta (dead leg) are still not available. Jack Wilshere (fibula), forward Danny Welbeck and Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky (both knee) are also sidelined.
Table-topping United have Michael Carrick available at the Emirates Stadium.
Carrick sat out the Champions League win over Wolfsburg on Wednesday due to what was described as a minor injury, but United boss Van Gaal has said the 34-year-old will be fit to play against the Gunners.
It remains to be seen whether fellow central midfielder Ander Herrera, another absentee on Wednesday, is involved, while Van Gaal has also said he will consult with a specialist about fatigue in his squad before making his team selection.
Opta stats
Arsenal have won just one of their last 13 Premier League fixtures against Manchester United (D4 L8).
Manchester United are unbeaten in four away games against Arsenal - they've never gone five without a loss away to the Gunners in the Premier League era.
Arsenal have a lower win percentage against Manchester United in the Premier League (24%) than versus any other opponent in the competition.
Wayne Rooney has netted 11 times in 25 Premier League games against Arsenal. The only sides he's scored more goals against in the competition are Newcastle (12) and Aston Villa (13).
Rooney scored his first ever Premier League goal (Oct 2002), his first Premier League goal for Man Utd (Oct 2004) and his 100th Premier League goal (Jan 2010) against the Gunners.
Theo Walcott has netted 12 goals in his last 13 Premier League starts for the Gunners.
Merson's prediction
This is a big game. I have been critical of United all season, questioning whether they are good enough. They have been playing well, nicking results here and there. If they win this game you've got to put them down as big players in the title race. Victory at the Emirates would make them second or even joint-favourites in my opinion. United haven't been incredible but they haven't done anything wrong.
Arsenal have to win this game otherwise Arsene Wenger will be under severe pressure. The game will probably go how it does all the time. Arsenal will turn up, dominate the game and United will break on them and score. Despite that, I'm going to go for an Arsenal win because they simply have to.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds 15/2)
Betting
Sky Bet make Arsenal even-money favourites for the victory with both Manchester United and the draw priced at 13/5. Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud share favouritism in the first goalscorer betting at 9/2 apiece, while Anthony Martial (13/2) is marginally shorter odds than Wayne Rooney (7/1) on United's side of the market.
Soccer Saturday pundit Charlie Nicholas is confident that his former club can pick up the points, backing Aaron Ramsey to score first in a 3-1 victory at 70/1 in his Sky Bet tips.
