Manchester United v Arsenal: Five key battles

Arsenal travel to Old Trafford on Saturday for the first-team since their 8-2 drubbing at the hands of Manchester United last season, and with their captain now lining up for the opposition.

Robin van Persie left Arsenal for Manchester United during the summer transfer window in a £24 million deal, and has scored nine goals in 12 appearances since joining the Red Devils.

Arsenal come to Manchester devoid of the optimism they were able to exude at the start of the season following the arrival of Santi Cazorla, with recent flat performances seeing the Gunners' credentials questioned once again.

The Gunners do however visit Manchester United having recorded a sensation midweek win against Reading, and will look to take this positivity into the encounter with Sir Alex Ferguson's Red Devils.

GMF takes highlights five key battles between the two teams this week...

David de Gea v Vito Mannone

 

Rio Ferdinand v Olivier Giroud


 

Paul Scholes v Santi Cazorla


 

Wayne Rooney v Per Mertesacker

 

Robin van Persie v Thomas Vermaelen