Arsene Wenger has been handed a massive boost ahead of this weekend’s fixture with Manchester United as French striker Olivier Giroud has been cleared to make his comeback from a broken leg against the Reds.
Giroud has been sidelined since August with the injury sustained in the 2-2 draw with Everton at Goodison Park, however he will be available to face Louis van Gaal’s struggling United side.
United have a formidable record against the Gunners having lost just one of the last 14 meetings between the Premier League heavyweights, with Aaron Ramsey sealing a win in May 2011. Last season saw yet more disappointment despite United’s ultimate failings as former captain Robin van Persie snatched the win at Old Trafford while the sides played out a goalless draw at the Emirates.
The Gunners can overtake Swansea and West Ham to lift themselves to 4th position as long as the former duo miss out on points against Manchester City and Everton respectively.
Team News
Olivier Giroud takes most of the headlines going into the vital Premier League clash following his return from a broken left tibia, however the defensive qualms that saw Wenger’s side capitulate away at Swansea two weeks ago are yet to be resolved.
Laurent Koscielny remains sidelined with an Achilles problem while Mathieu Debuchy has not recovered from an ankle injury.
Mesut Ozil (knee), David Ospina (thigh) and Abou Diaby (calf) are all long-term absentees.
Theo Walcott’s return from injury has taken a knock as he will be tested late for a hamstring injury picked up in midweek, while man-of-the-moment Alexis Sanchez travelled a lot with Chile as they played Uruguay and Venezuela during the international break.
Danny Welbeck was also involved by England during the break and but he should be available to face his former side after shrugging off a hamstring complaint.
Opponents View
United may have had the better of the two sides in the past however their rapid decline has been well publicized. Van Gaal’s men sit in 7th place just 1 point below Arsenal but their summer spend of more than £150million is yet to be justified.
Their 1-0 triumph against Crystal Palace was a far from convincing first win in 4 having lost the Manchester Derby and drawn with Chelsea and West Brom previously.
That win against Palace was also their only clean sheet for 7 games, stretching over two months despite the heralding of Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea.
United have also failed to win on the road at all this season, losing twice and drawing 3 on the way to their lowest points total after 11 games for 25 years.
What They Said
Manager Arsene Wenger:
“He (Giroud) is three or four weeks ahead of schedule. Originally we planned to have him back for competition at the beginning of next year, so he is one month ahead. We relied on Welbeck, and on Alexis Sanchez as well, but we have Giroud back, we have Theo Walcott back. Slowly they will integrate into the team again and give us different options.”
Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny:
"Our history against Manchester United recently hasn't been very good. We didn't score a single goal against them last season, so that's something that we're looking to improve. Hopefully this will be a step. It could give us a big push to go and challenge for the rest of the season."
Predicted Line-up
Szczesny; Chambers Monreal Mertesacker Gibbs; Flamini Wilshere; Cazorla Ramsey Alexis; Welbeck
