Undoubtedly the biggest game of the season so far. While these games may have lost an element of the Keane-era ferocity it will still be a passionate affair, and a huge game for both clubs.
For United, there is our poor record against the big four last season, which needs working on, but it is also the first such clash without Ronaldo and Tevez.Fergie has said that we can't afford to drop any more points this early in the season, and should we lose to Arsenal on home soil, the press are likely to view as proof United will not be title contenders, with their current squad.
For Arsenal it is a big test too. Much has been made of their ability to put multiple goals past woefully inadequate Everton and Portsmouth, but United at Old Trafford is a different proposition. Will the young Gunners deliver on their early season hype?
Injuries at the back mean it is not an ideal time to face Arsenal with so much at stake, (though the Gunners are likely to be without Fabregas) and I am expecting a very tough game for United. Equally I am looking forward to seeing how the new look United fares against high calibre opposition. Victory would mean so much more than three points.
Defence
Despite set backs, United have conceded less goals than Arsenal, despite playing a game more - thanks in no small part so some great work by Ben Foster. Obviously Van der Sar's experience would be handy today, but Foster's growing stature means it is less of a concern as it could have been.
Fit again Wes Brown could return, the question is whether to the right back slot he made his own two seasons ago, or to relieve Jonny Evans in the centre. Given that Evans is having injections to make it through games, and has needed to be substituted, it seems to make more sense to avoid a forced change later in the game and rest Evans completely, putting O'Shea or Neville in at right back.
Midfield
The strong performance by the United midfield at Wigan (Fletcher Scholes, Nani, Valencia) points to making few changes, but given that Wigan are not Arsenal, a different line up is likely. Park's relentless running seems crucial to disrupting Arsenal's rhythm, so he seems a safer choice than Valencia for this tie.
The question is, will Michael Carrick's unexplained absence continue? Must be Red will be listening with interest when the team sheet is announced. In a game when harrying and closing down will play their part in stopping Arsenal, it seems a shame that Anderson as well as Carrick is out of form and out of favour.
The fluid nature of the Gunners 4-3-3 means there will be a lot of running for the Reds midfield. Despite Paul Scholes' undoubted qualities, I wonder whether he would be able to keep up these days.
Yet given that Giggs did not feature in the Wigan game, the Welshman seems due a return, be it in the centre or out wide. Who knows, maybe we will even get another one of these?
Up Front
Despite Owen's first goal it's almost bound to be Berbatov and Rooney again. It was great to see Dimitar chasing back and nicking the ball off defenders in the Wigan game. While he's no Tevez yet, the fact that he looks hungrier this season can only be a good thing for United.
With Owen off the mark it would be great to see him open his home account even if as a substitute. The winning goal would do nicely, Michael.
Patrick
