Arsenal v Man Utd preview

PREDICTIONS:
Skysports.com prediction: Arsenal 1 Man United 1
Sky Bet odds: Arsenal 9/4 Draw 2/1 Man United 11/8
One to Watch: Wayne Rooney
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One of the world's fiercest and famed grudge matches takes place on Saturday, live on Sky Sports 1 & HD1, as Arsenal welcome Manchester United to Emirates Stadium on Saturday lunchtime.

The two Premier League giants lock horns in differing temper, with the hosts under pressure and the champions gathering steam.

Arsene Wenger is feeling the strain as his troops seek to prove they have what it takes to mount a serious title challenge after a poor start to the season.

Without playing any of their 'big four' rivals, Arsenal have already lost three matches - the most recent of defeats coming last weekend at Stoke City.

After a slow start, United have won five of their last six league outings and are looking to close in on early pace-setters Chelsea and Liverpool.

Last campaign's corresponding fixture ended in dramatic circumstances as Gunners captain William Gallas netted a late equaliser to snatch a 2-2 draw for his side.

Three points are all-but essential for Wenger's charges; however the record books show they have won only two of their last 12 Premier League encounters with the Red Devils.

Furthermore, United have lost only one of their last six trips to Arsenal's home soil in England's top flight.

Wenger is facing something of an injury crisis and selection headache as he prepares for the clash, with a number of his first-team players unavailable.

Eduardo and Tomas Rosicky remain long-term absentees, while Emmanuel Adebayor (ankle) and Emmanuel Eboue (knee) are definitely out.

Dutch striker Robin van Persie is suspended, meaning the Frenchman is likely to deploy Nicklas Bendtner in a lone striking role or partner the Dane with youngster Carlos Vela.

Wenger has defensive problems to contend with too, with William Gallas (hamstring) rated as 50:50 and former United centre-back Mikael Silvestre, who sustained a broken nose during midweek, considered a 'gamble'.

Goalkeeper Manuel Almunia is poised to return from sickness while Theo Walcott faces a late fitness test as does right-back Bacary Sagna.

For United, Sir Alex Ferguson is likely to restore a number of big-names to his starting line-up after resting some of his charges in the UEFA Champions League draw with Celtic.

The United boss left Dimitar Berbatov, Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra on the substitutes' bench and the trio are all expected to return, as is shot-stopper Edwin van der Sar.

Gary Neville is looking to overcome a knock in time for the clash, while Ferguson must contemplate which three players to operate alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in midfield as the Scot searches for his 15th win against Wenger.

Possible starting XIs

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Walcott, Fabregas, Denilson, Diaby, Nasri, Bendtner.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Fletcher, Anderson, Park, Rooney, Berbatov.