Arsenal vs. Man. United Preview: EPL Matchweek 35

April 26, 2013

By Daire McAnallen

Arsenal face the toughest task this weekend of the three London clubs chasing the final two Champions League places as they host Premier League champions Manchester United on Sunday. United secured the title with a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa last Monday, making it mathematically impossible for anyone to catch them, although they clearly had the trophy sewn up some time ago. Meanwhile, Arsenal’s main goal of Champions League football is far from secure but they have won five and drawn one since their defeat to Spurs, lifting them to third place. However, they are only one point ahead of Chelsea and two ahead of Spurs, while both of those sides have a game-in-hand over the Gunners so it’s crucial that they get one over on their old rivals on Sunday as Robin van Persie returns to the Emirates Stadium for the first time since his move to United.

The Gunners will be without striker Olivier Giroud, who starts a three-match suspension, so Theo Walcott and Lukas Podolski are competing for a central attacking role, while goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski remains sidelined with a rib injury. Ferguson may opt to freshen up his starting line-up with captain, Nemanja Vidic, back and Rio Ferdinand, Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck also in contention, while Jonny Evans and Michael Carrick may be rested as they were carrying injuries in the game against Villa. United are still pushing for a record points score but there’s no doubt which club has more at stake in this game. Arsenal played out a scoreless draw against Everton in their last home game but won four on-the-bounce previous to that, although United have the same form away from home with four wins before their draw at West Ham. This should be a fascinating tussle but I think a 2-2 draw is on the cards with Walcott and Podolski scoring for Arsenal and Hernandez netting for United before a cruel equaliser from the returning van Persie, who has found his scoring boots again, just in-time to play his old team.