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Premier League preview: Manchester United v Arsenal

1 November 2012 14:31

Robin van Persie could return to haunt his former side when Arsenal make the trip to Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday.

The former Gunner has transferred much of his goal scoring prowess to the Red Devils this term with seven in nine league games and will be afforded protection from the baying Arsenal fans only by the confines of Old Trafford.

That the match between two old rivals will be the most anticipated of the weekend only serves to add extra spice to the occasion.

The Dutch international, who signed for 24 million pounds, would appear to have left a significant hole in Arsenal's leading line.

Replacements Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski have scored just three goals between them in a combined 18 league games, leaving pacey winger Gervinho as the team's leading scorer with three.

Arsenal recorded a staggering comeback from 4-0 down to defeat Reading 7-5 in a pulsating League Cup clash at the Madejski Stadium on Tuesday but showcased not only their ability to score rapidly, but their well-documented frailties from set pieces.

The match featured a timely hat-trick for winger Theo Walcott, whose patience with manager Arsene Wenger on a contract extension is fast running out if he is not granted his wish to be deployed as a striker.

In better news for Wenger, keeper Wojciech Szczesny could return in goal behind a defence that has let in fewer goals (six) than any other side this season, while Jack Wilshere delighted home fans with his long-awaited comeback against QPR last Saturday and could feature against United.

Meanwhile, a young Manchester United side went down to Chelsea 5-4 in extra-time at Stamford Bridge in the League Cup on Wednesday just three days after controversially defeating the Blues in the Premier League at the same ground.

United captain Nemanja Vidic and Phil Jones are both still a while away with knee injuries but Chris Smalling is likely to be in contention for a place after recovering from a foot injury.

Info

Manchester United

D W L D W

2 - 1

Arsenal

W W W D W

Competition: Premier League
Date: 3 November 2012
Game week: 10
Kick-off: 13:45

Half-time: 1 - 0
Full-time: 2 - 1

Venue: Old Trafford (Manchester)
Attendance: 75492

Goals

R. van Persie 3'	1 - 0
P. Evra 67' (assist by W. Rooney)	2 - 0
	2 - 1	90'+5 Cazorla

Lineups

#	Player	Bookings
1	De Gea
5	R. Ferdinand
3	P. Evra	67'
6	J. Evans
2	Rafael
16	M. Carrick
7	A. Valencia
18	A. Young	29'
23	T. Cleverley	37'
20	R. van Persie	3' 60'
10	W. Rooney	45+1' 81'
Coach: A. Ferguson

#	Player	Bookings
24	V. Mannone
4	P. Mertesacker
3	B. Sagna
5	T. Vermaelen
11	André Santos
8	Arteta	90'
19	Cazorla	90+5'
10	J. Wilshere	14' 69'
16	A. Ramsey
9	L. Podolski
12	O. Giroud
Coach: A. Wenger

Substitutes

#	Player	Bookings
8	Anderson for T. Cleverley 61'	72'
17	Nani for A. Valencia 82'
13	A. Lindegaard
14	J. Hernández
22	P. Scholes
25	N. Powell
31	S. Wootton

#	Player	Bookings
14	T. Walcott for A. Ramsey 52'
23	A. Arshavin for L. Podolski 81'	83'
6	L. Koscielny
22	F. Coquelin
25	C. Jenkinson
29	M. Chamakh
36	D. Martínez

Tuesday 18 June

13:08	Maher agent denies Ajax deal
13:05	Newcastle confirm Kinnear appointment
12:49	Taylor ´really happy´ with Kinnear return
12:44	Australia 1-0 Iraq: Kennedy books Brazil place
12:25	Clarke happy with Reid commitment
12:03	Bittencourt signs for Hannover
11:22	Van Dijk keen on Celtic move
11:15	De Gea sets the bar high
10:58	Confederations Cup Preview: Nigeria v Uruguay
10:58	Bacuna keen to get going at Villa
10:47	Hamburg a possibility for Santa Cruz
10:29	Rebelo: Protests will not harm Confederations Cup
10:27	Kinnear: We need another striker
07:48	Brazil-Mexico Preview: Selecao gunning for semi-final berth
03:41	Valcke: Brazil better for football tournaments
01:38	Tahiti trump Nigeria in celebration stakes

Monday 17 June

23:55	FIFA Confederations Cup Preview: Italy v Japan
23:12	FIFA Confederations Cup: Nigeria 6 Tahiti 1
21:13	Borini´s Napoli move unlikely
21:09	Remon: Zidane not ready for Real job
20:39	Elyounoussi says yes to Hoffenheim
20:37	Mignolet agent anticipating bids
20:35	Schalke signs Clemens
20:00	Italy-Japan Preview: Azzurri aiming to move closer to last four with victory
19:36	Sidwell looking for settled squad at Fulham
19:20	Hearts set to enter administration
19:16	Martinez hoping to bring ´characters´ to Everton
18:53	Scholes sad to see Robinson leave Stoke
18:36	Bayern, Barca in hunt for Koscielny
18:35	Toulouse deny Lyon approach for Tabanou
17:59	Vitoria pleased with ´dream´ Benfica move
17:43	Poyet refuses to attend hearing
17:33	UEFA Under 21 Championship Final Preview: Italy v Spain
17:23	Van Dijk attracting foreign interest
17:17	FIFA Confederations Cup Preview: Brazil v Mexico
16:54	Brentford confirm signing of Bidwell from Everton
16:20	Lambert says Lowton can still improve
16:14	Owen not ready to become a manager
16:11	Rangel praises Michu impact
15:52	Gundogan pledges future to Dortmund
15:45	Tevez refuses to be drawn on speculation
15:32	Mourinho: Chelsea need stability
14:33	Reid remains at West Brom after agreeing new deal
13:22	Tahiti 1-6 Nigeria: Oduamadi hits hat-trick as Super Eagles smash South Pacific islanders
13:11	Dortmund confirm Lewandowski stay
12:57	Hull sign Figueroa
12:55	Colombia Primera Division Wrap: Santa Fe held as Pasto, Millonarios win
11:59	Liverpool appoint new chief financial officer
11:47	Isco reveals offers from Real and City
11:09	Bradford to start Capital One Cup campaign at Huddersfield
10:09	Kinnear: Cabaye will stay at Newcastle
07:20	Peru Primera Division Wrap: Cesar Vallejo up to fourth
07:19	Paraguay Division Profesional Wrap: Nacional Asuncion beaten after securing title
06:47	Argentina Primera Division Wrap: Blanco brace fires Lanus
03:53	Ecuador Primera A Wrap: Independiente held despite Guerrero stunner
03:07	Del Bosque satisfied with Spain´s Cup opener
01:53	FIFA Confederations Cup: Spain 2 Uruguay 1
01:39	Prandelli undeterred by plucky Mexico
00:17	FIFA World Cup Qualifying Wrap: Ethopia, Egypt top groups

Premier League table

#	Team	MP	D	P
1	Manchester United	38	+43	89
2	Manchester City	38	+32	78
3	Chelsea	38	+36	75
4	Arsenal	38	+35	73
5	Tottenham Hotspur	38	+20	72
6	Everton	38	+15	63
7	Liverpool	38	+28	61
8	West Bromwich …	38	-4	49
9	Swansea City	38	-4	46
10	West Ham United	38	-8	46
11	Norwich City	38	-17	44
12	Fulham	38	-10	43
13	Stoke City	38	-11	42
14	Southampton	38	-11	41
15	Aston Villa	38	-22	41
16	Newcastle United	38	-23	41
17	Sunderland	38	-13	39
18	Wigan Athletic	38	-26	36
19	Reading	38	-30	28
20	Queens Park Ra…	38	-30	25

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