Arsenal host Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday evening in what is undoubtedly the standout fixture of the Premier League weekend.
The Gunners will come into the clash full of confidence following their 5-0 thrashing of Huddersfield Town at home Wednesday night, which ensured that they maintained their spot in the top four.
The win against the Terriers also means that they have won all seven of their top flight fixtures on their own turf this term – a good omen ahead of United’s trip south this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Red Devils also kept second spot in the table as they beat Watford 4-2 at Vicarage Road on Tuesday night, with Ashley Young the surprise scorer of a brace for the visitors.
Jose Mourinho’s men have the best defensive record in the league, and they will hope to keep things tighter than they did in Hertfordshire when they travel to north London on Saturday.
Mourinho and Wenger certainly have a lot of history and have had a volatile relationship over the years, and the latter certainly has plenty to think about ahead of their latest meeting.
Here are four key questions the Frenchman must answer before Arsenal host United…
Who replaces Lacazette?
Wenger confirmed after the Huddersfield win that club-record signing Lacazette is likely to be missing for a while after picking up a groin injury in the 5-0 win against Huddersfield, and that news will come as a huge blow to Arsenal.
The France international has been the first-choice striker in the Premier League this term, and his third minute goal against the Terriers took his tally to the season to seven in 14 top flight appearances.
Olivier Giroud replaced his French compatriot at half-time on Wednesday and went on to score a brace, and Wenger must decide whether he, Danny Welbeck or Alexis Sanchez are the best option to take centre-forward spot against United on Saturday.
How will they break United down?
While United did concede two against Watford during the week, they have still let in just eight goals in 14 Premier League matches this season and have the best defensive record in the league.
With Mourinho renowned for looking to play for a point away against his top six rivals, Wenger will know that it is going to be tough to break United down at the Emirates on Saturday.
The French manager will be looking at ways his team can find gaps between the lines to penetrate the strong backline, and he will certainly be looking to the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil to provide the moments of magic that can unlock their opponent’s defence.
How can they take advantage of Matic’s absence?
It looks as though United will be without Matic this weekend after he was substituted off with a muscle problem against Watford on Tuesday night, and Wenger could certainly learn a couple of things from the Hornets after the Serbian was withdrawn.
Mourinho brought on Ander Herrera to replace the 29-year-old ten minutes after half-time but the Red Devils instantly looked a lot less comfortable, and they conceded two quick-fire goals before Jesse Lingard’s late solo goal.
With Matic and Marouane Fellaini both doubtful for Saturday, Wenger will know that Sanchez and Ozil may be a little less shackled on Saturday than they perhaps would have been and he will know that the talented duo must take full advantage.
Should he start Coquelin?
Wenger admitted in his pre-match press conference that he expects Man United to attack on Saturday, and with the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford in their ranks the Red Devils certainly have the players capable of hurting Arsenal.
In that respect, Wenger may be thinking about ditching the midfield pivot of Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka and bringing in Francis Coquelin to sit in front of the back three and break up the play this weekend, even if it probably isn’t what the Emriates Stadium faithful would want to see.
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