Barclays Premier League preview: Arsenal v Manchester Utd

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Arsenal team news
Arsenal forward Robin van Persie is suspended for the Barclays Premier League clash against Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium.

Emmanuel Adebayor (ankle) and Emmanuel Eboue (knee) will miss out, along with long-term absentees Tomas Rosicky and Eduardo.

Late checks will be made on Mikael Silvestre (nose), William Gallas (hamstring), Bacary Sagna (ankle) and Theo Walcott (shoulder).

Arsenal (from) : Almunia, Fabianski, Diaby, Sagna, Fabregas, Toure, Nasri, Gallas, Vela, Walcott, Denilson, Ramsey, Song, Silvestre, Wilshere, Gibbs, Djourou, Clichy, Bendtner.


Man Utd team news
Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes could be back in action for the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan next month.

Scholes was ruled out for 10 weeks when he suffered knee ligament damage against Aalborg in September but has returned to light training and could potentially make his comeback against Tottenham on December 13 before flying to the Far East.

The former England star joins another long-term absentee Owen Hargreaves on the sidelines for tomorrow's trip to Arsenal, while Wes Brown has also been ruled out for another week as he rests an ankle problem. Darren Fletcher (knee) is a doubt but captain Gary Neville is fit.

Team (from) : Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Foster, Neville, Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, O'Shea, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick, Gibson, Possebon, Fletcher, Anderson, Giggs, Nani, Park, Rooney, Berbatov, Tevez.

The New Football Pools pundits' predictions
John Barnes: Draw
Tony Cascarino: Draw
Graham Poll: Away win

Opta Match Facts
Arsenal have won only two of their last 12 Premier League encounters with Manchester United.
Only on one occasion, (Manchester United, February 2005) has one of these sides managed to score more than two goals in this fixture in the last eight years.
United have lost only one of their last six trips to Highbury/The Emirates Stadium in the Premier League.
There has been at least one goal in the final 10 minutes in four of the last five meetings between these sides in London.
There has been a 90th minute goal scored in each of Arsenal's last five Premier League matches.
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 37 goals in his last 32 Premier League matches.
Arsenal have conceded four open play goals from long range this season, more than any other team.
Arsenal (15) have scored more than twice as many second half goals as Manchester United (8) this season.
Arsenal have produced the joint-most headed shots this season, 32.
Manchester United are the only team not to have conceded a goal from long range this season.
Dimitar Berbatov has the joint-most goal assists in the Premier League this season, five.
Cristiano Ronaldo is the top-scoring player in this fixture currently at either club - four goals. Thierry Henry leads the way all-time, with eight goals.
Overall, Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson have each tasted victory 14 times against each other, with United having scored one more goal (45) than Arsenal.

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