Manchester United-Arsenal Preview

Arsene Wenger and Louis van Gaal will meet at the Emirates for the first time Saturday when Arsenal versus Manchester United crashes into a new era.

These two clubs developed the biggest title rivalry of the Premier League era while Sir Alex Ferguson was at the helm for United, which came out atop the pile an astonishing 10 times during his tenure. Wenger has captured three titles for the Gunners and has been a top-four fixture in the table while in London.

However, the current Manchester United crop are not living up to that lofty standard. Van Gaal's side have just four wins from their opening 11 games of the campaign and are seventh, one point behind Arsenal (4-5-2).

While this may be Van Gaal's first meeting with Arsenal in English football, he does recall one previous meeting during his stint at Barcelona.

"It's the first time I've sat on the bench against Arsenal as Manchester United coach, but I've played once against Arsenal with Barcelona," the veteran Dutch manager said. "Wenger was on the bench and was already eight years into the job with Arsenal.

"I admire the way they play because it's attacking and you play for the fans. I think that's nice."

A glance at United's recent head-to-head record against Arsenal would be enough to give Van Gaal confidence. The Red Devils (4-4-3) have lost just one of their last 14 against Wenger's side, outscoring them 26-9 during that run.

The Gunners were one of just three teams in the league who failed to score against David Moyes' United last season, although they did pick up a point in this fixture thanks to a 0-0 draw.

Robin van Persie scored the winner at Old Trafford last time out, making it three goals in his first three appearances for United against his former club. This time around, however, Arsenal will be looking for inspiration from a striker who moved in the opposite direction.

"When you've been somewhere for so long and then you're going to start a new chapter in your career, you've got to think about it a lot," admitted former Manchester United youth team graduate Danny Welbeck. "Over the past year or so, I started to think about what's best for me.

"It's a bit different in London, because obviously I was born and bred in Manchester so that's a place I know like the back of my hand. I went to school there and you really get to know the city. But it's going well. Arsenal is the place for me to advance my career and take me to the next level."

Welbeck will try to shake off a hamstring knock picked up on international duty with England, but will face competition for his place from Olivier Giroud after the French striker returned to full training this week. Mesut Ozil remains out for Arsenal with a knee ligament injury, while defenders Laurent Koscielny and Mathieu Debuchy are both expected to be missing until mid-December. The key decision for Wenger will be whether or not to continue with Nacho Monreal as a makeshift centre-half following the Spaniard's disappointing showing in the 2-1 defeat to Swansea City last time out.

Manchester United's lengthy injury problems continued despite the international break, further destabilising an already unbalanced squad. Daley Blind's knee injury is not as bad as first feared, but it is still expected to keep the Dutch midfielder out for the rest of 2014, leaving a gap in central midfield.

However, Michael Carrick is doubtful for this game after dropping out of England duty due to a groin problem. Star summer signings Angel di Maria and Radamel Falcao also face late fitness tests, while a host of defenders are on the treatment table. Rafael, Phil Jones (calf), Jonny Evans (ankle), Marcos Rojo (shoulder), and Luke Shaw (hamstring) are all doubts, while goalkeeper David de Gea has dislocated a finger.